New e-commerce business

[cr8aig]

Hi,
I have a new online business Babycakes Ltd and am wanting to know how to promote it more to attract more people to my site.

I started in late November so havent been going to long. But I dont have any spare cash to pay a company to do all the promotion for me, so I am doing it all my self and would like a few good pointers what to do from anyone.

Thank you

[shopintegrator]

Hi Craig,

Some things to consider before you look at your promotion options.

Do you have website statistics gathering set up on your website? Such as the free Google Analytics reporting?

Having a way to track the success of any promotion is an important way of determining the effectiveness of such marketing and I would recommend having in place before you begin. If you leave it to counting the number of orders as a result of a promotion, you may miss when a promotion is ineffective and needs changing, i.e. driving lots of the wrong visitor traffic to your site who didn't hang about and didn't buy.

If your principal market is in the UK, make sure that your web site is hosted on UK based servers, as one aspect of search engines is to associate your sites content to your principal 'home' market based on your websites hosting geographic location. Therefore, if your hosting is in the US it is more likely to be shown to US customers looking for baby cakes if they find you in a search.

Also, take a look at Google's Web Master tools. These allow you to see your web site as search engines see them, in terms of what key words does it think your site is most associated with. This will help you to review your content and ensure the view you want your site to present is actually how it is being perceived.

[Discountbannerprinting.co.uk]

Find local directories and submit your site.

[WarringtonWebsiteDesign]

You don't state what your business is or who you target market but from Googling I assume it is new baby gifts.

1. Get some flyers done - pay someone to design and print these. It doesn't cost much.

2. Use the above flyers, get in touch with local business offering ante/post natal treatment/classes or mother and baby groups. Leave them with some flyers.

3. Is there a noticeboard area in your local Co-Op/Hospital/School where you could place a flyer for free?

4. How about targeting local primary schools at 3.15pm handing out leaflets and talking to people.

5. Join new baby forums and become a regular - give out advice, don't push your business but link to it in your signature.

6. Join your local business groups and network.

[kldguitar]

I think you need post some article on different forums let many people know your services.

[Naughty Vend]

Hi,
I have a new online business Babycakes Ltd and am wanting to know how to promote it more to attract more people to my site.

I started in late November so havent been going to long. But I dont have any spare cash to pay a company to do all the promotion for me, so I am doing it all my self and would like a few good pointers what to do from anyone.

Thank you

Find out if a local 'head' in the media (papers, tv, online) has recently had a baby - be a gumshoe for a day - then bake them a gift, present it personally and chances are you'll get some coverage...

[TradeSparq]

Find out if a local 'head' in the media (papers, tv, online) has recently had a baby - be a gumshoe for a day - then bake them a gift, present it personally and chances are you'll get some coverage...

Interesting idea, a nice way to get some media coverage and have everybody happy in the end!

[mattlast005]

If your new to online marketing I would recommend starting of with Google Adwords. In terms of getting quick wins and building up your revenue there is nothing greater.

I would then based upon the results of your PPC campaign start building an SEO campaign focusing on the words and key phrases that worked best.

Also have you considered looking at brand management tools such as Twitter and Facebook? There is also this great tool that I stumbled upon recently that I think is amazing - http://www.howsociable.com/

Hope that helps.

[Mint-PrintDotCom]

Hi Craig

If you require flyer printing for your promotion please visit us at www.mint-print.com (http://www.mint-print.com).

For a limited period we are doing FREE design work for UKBF members only.

1000 A6 flyers printed on 300gsm matt both sides in colour ONLY £60
1000 A5 flyers printed on 300gsm matt both sides in colour ONLY £95

Delivery is charged at £10 for any 1 UK address.

Wishing you the best

Ash

[Birclay]

I disagree with Google Adwords for any new venture. Unless you have an unlimited advertising buget, Adwords is a complete waste of money in my experience. The easiest (and cheapest) way to get people to visit your store is through site links.

[WarringtonWebsiteDesign]

I disagree with Google Adwords for any new venture. Unless you have an unlimited advertising buget, Adwords is a complete waste of money in my experience. The easiest (and cheapest) way to get people to visit your store is through site links.

Adwords don't have to be expensive, it's all about getting the right key words. I'm no adwords expert but by using 3/4/5 words and ensuring that exact matches are used you should be able to pick up some decent traffic for minimal cost.

E.G.
Baby Cakes would probably cost more than New Born Baby Cakes and that would probably cost more than New Born Baby Cake Gifts

I do agree though that some well placed links on relevant websites could bring you even more traffic.

[cr8aig]

Thank you to everyone for all your idea and help.
Its much appreciated.