advertsing a website - the best way??

[bluezebra]

Following on from my earlier post about how to get my website noticed, I am now wondering what is the best way to advertise/promote it.

I have planned lots of off-line stuff and have submitted the site to free directories and will be doing things that have been suggested in response to my earlier post.

But today, I had a call from a company asking me to advertise on their directory site which will 'reach my target market'. Anyway, the cost is too high for me, but I wondered if the free directories are just as successful as the paid directories?

Any thoughts?

[Top Hat]

As a general rule, do not pay for directory listing
(Thats, our rule anyway)

The best place to be listed dmoz.org
if you can get in there you're away.

If just35 call you tell them to go away, using the most impolite language you can muster.

[c2webdesign]

Each directory is different but too be honest unless the Directory is at the top of a search engine for your major keyword then it simply isn't worth it.

Whether the directory is free or not is not usually the factor to whether you are going to get results. Is the free directory a trusted source visited by many - or is another of the millions that were set up for the sole intention of charging advertising fees (type in 'weddings' in to Google and you will see what I mean - nothing but directories)

Very rarely do directories bring much return. Can bring the odd order here and there but you would be better to try and feature in an online article with lots of useful advice about your subject - just the same as off-line marketing. Or you may be able to write content for such a website about the products - you'll be surprised how many of the hugely visited websites are looking for good content.

The directories are offering nothing more than a basic and simplified version of the search engines, which doesn't help their creditibility.

Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

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[SillyJokes]

Another good way is with an affiliate program. This is something that sounds straight forward but actually can cost too much and takes more time than you realise to make a success of.

It is affiliate programs that many directories including kelkoo make their money on.

[Rob Holmes]

Another good way is with an affiliate program. This is something that sounds straight forward but actually can cost too much and takes more time than you realise to make a success of.

Yes if you're looking at just creating your own affiliate program from scratch it can cost between £free and £1500 for a script and you've still got to get the affiliates on board. Of the affiliates on board you will find approx 95% do nothing, 4% do a little and 1% are great.

You can always join an established affiliate program like commission junction or clickbank and use their affiliates but then you're competing with alot of other companies.

Once your affiliates are on board you really have to maintain them on a weekly basis if you want them to even remember you, let alone start performing for you. Competitions for the highest sellers, weekly tips, encouragements, free things etc etc make for alot of work.

I'm not trying to put you off but many of our clients have affiliate systems running and I see how the good, the bad and the ugly do it (and who succeeds!)

Hope this helps a bit,

Rob