How to market my online store?

[Sheridan]

Can anybody advise my on internet marketing, I have an online store and need to raise it's profile.

There's so much information out there, my head spins....i've been following some blogs that seem hype free (Terry Dean,Lee Mcintyre), has ayone any suggestions?

 

[TechFox]

Have you considered an affiliate scheme?

 

[Sheridan]

Hi,

I haven't considered my business being in an affiliate scheme, is that not for the big boys?

I have looked at it from the arnings side...as I could do with making a profit!

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Lorro2]

What products do you sell? Is is vital to be a bit different, have some sort of interllectual propert or exclusivity that makes you stand out from the crowd. It usually takes a year or two for an online store to take off if you a a good store.

 

[Sheridan]

I sell handmade, high quality nursery accessories, store is called Chic 4 Baby..

Things tick over at the moment and I'm just designing a blog called nursery chic...this will run seperatley so we can pointback to main site but take adverts affiliates etc

 

[Connexions]

First things you need to do, if you havnt already is to make sure you have submitted all your items to google base. Just google 'google base' for the url. Also submit your sitemap to google webmaster tools. Both can bring you in good traffic.

 

[SillyJokes]

Ok, here's a plan for you. You say your head is spinning from all the good advice and certainly there is more advice than grains of sand on the beach.

What I sincerely suggest you do is actually do something, anything, absolutely every single day to help your website along.

There is a thread on here somewhere with 100 things to do to promote your website. Try some of the easy stuff and just keep making your website and offering just a little better every day.

Eventually the cumulative effect will pay off. (if your stuff is any good)

There is no magic bullet. It's just constant hard graft but bit by bit you will get there.

 

[Sheridan]

Thanks SillyJokes,

This is a really positive reply and very supportive.

Your right...and i'll find that post and start today...

Thanks again

 

[Alexishost]

Write a blog
Post a blog about your store once amonth. Next year it will be bringing nice traffic for your store.

business card.
hands on your business card to your parner with your store link. the more the better.

prosper
have great day and prosper

 

[Deleted member 61074]

backlinks are an important thing to get started in the early days too. Or even google adwords

go watch BBC virtual Revolution number 3 - hopefully still on iplayer. Very useful tips and insight re google there

 

[David Morson]

You need to identify that what your customers are actually looking for and what are their needs and wants then hire the services of an SEO to get your website promoted.

 

[Ryan T-Mobile]

Let us all know when your blog is live and be sure to post a link so we can find it. It's a long process but if you play the game properly I'm sure you can do well with it. I'd be interested in seeing how it goes and will pass on any advice that I can think of once I've seen your site. I'm more experienced in social media rather than affiliates so I'll try to help out in that respect.

Quite simply, try to make sure you have lots of different locations where you are taking part in a community. If you find the right people then I'm sure they'd be interested in seeing your products and reviewing them for you, so it's a good idea to get out there and meet them. Also, are there any bloggers in your field who'd be interested in what you're doing? That may be a good place to start.

 

[cr8aig]

I was wondering if you found the thread 100 things to do to promote your website, as I have been looking for it and cant find it. Could you point me in the right direction please.

 

[chiggs]

I was wondering if you found the thread 100 things to do to promote your website, as I have been looking for it and cant find it. Could you point me in the right direction please.

I think this is the one http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=32162

 

[cr8aig]

Thank you very much

 

[phil battison]

It can run away with you in terms of spend but if you're looking for an instant uplift in volume then you could try Google pay per click adverts. Its not unusual to run these adverts whilst working on your blog, your backlinks etc to build up more "natural" and cheaper traffic to your site. We became over reliant on Google PPC and ignored the long term benefits of blogs, post etc. and have suffered as a consequence.

 

[Green Jelly]

Hi Sheridan,
Would you like to trade links? I am also selling baby products and would target similar customers www.greenjellyshop.co.uk If you would like to, PM me and we can swap details. Google are keen on relevant links I believe....
Sharon

 

[WarringtonWebsiteDesign]

Also don't forget the offline things you can do to promote your online business.

Target local people, business and groups (especially ones associated with your target market).

Try to make contacts, give presentations, leave leaflets and offer incentives.

You will be surprised at how quick word of mouth from a few local customers can soon spread around the country.

 

[WendyS]

Hi

Do you have a database of customers? If not, start collecting their email addresses. Do an E-Shot once a month. I can recommend MailChimp to send out bulk emails. Past customers are more likely to become future customers! Also, include a News section on your site and update it regularly. Can you get a story out and get free publicity for your site via Press Releases etc - target the baby magazines etc.

 

Online - Make use of classified ad sites such as;

www.sellit-right.com
www.vivastreet.com
www.locanto.co.uk
www.craigslist.org
www.olx.com
www.adtrader.com
Update, check your adverts weekly or monthly.

Offline - Many ways to advertise such as;

1. Door-hangers on doorknobs. If your target is geographically defined, such as a day care or grocery store, print a specific offer on door-hangers and place them on doorknobs in your area. This method will produce results in direct proportion to the strength of your offer.
2. T-shirts and vests. Put your logo on one and wear it.
3. Radio and TV
4. Giveaways. Give away free samples or advertising specialty items (magnets, mugs, etc.).
5. Get into business directories. Many people turn to their local business directory first when they have a need.
6. Print and distribute flyers. A flyer through the door with a clear USP, business name and contact details will bring enquiries.

 

[Sharona B]

Writing articles is another route for you. You can add content to your site that relates to your products or may just be about your field in general. You might like to focus on safety in the nursery, accessories that stimulate the senses, anything really as long as it is interesting and on topic.

The important thing is to get key words in your article to help you get noticed by the search engines. You need fresh, relevant, well written content that is optimized. You also need to get your articles on other external sites and not just your own.

Have a go at doing this yourself or outsource.

Good Luck

 

[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.

I work for a great company called GForces that are one of the UK's largest web management companies - www.gforces.co.uk. Give them a call and hat a chat with one of our marketing specialists if you need further assistance.

Hope that helps.

 

[4rbusiness]

hello.. hope i can help you through my suggestion..

you can use SEO techniques..directory submission, Social Bookmarking, Blog Commenting and Article Posting can help build traffic to your site which is the same thing as promoting it.

 

[Jessy Mat]

Taking the steps needed to have show site show up as high as possible in the search rankings is called Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.

 

[Sheridan]

Thank you all for your suggestions...i've been taking action and I have recently set up to blogs

chic4baby-blog.com
nurserychic.com

Please have a look around and let me know what you think.

 

[jelly3]

Although I did not start this thread, I appreciate all your suggestions just as much as the OP.

 

[UK Solicitors]

In my experience there's a LOT of free helpful things out there on the web.

I'd give you links, but I am not able to put hyperlinks in here yet (just joined today).

One brilliant free course can be found if you google "30 day challenge" - this has a whole host of "how to" videos and a huge amount of information that most people usually like to keep to themselves (or charge for).

Another place you could do worse than take a look at it the warrior forum - again google it. This is a place which is a kind of reference library for serious internet marrketeers... and again it is free (although you can subscribe to enter the "inner sanctum").

The one single thing I'd say to you is "Backlinks". See above to get strategy for these and then put aside some time every day and build them. This alone will make an enormous improvement in your website's ranking...

And "Good Luck!"

 

[cheapmaket001]

backlinks are an important thing to get started in the early days too. Or even google adwords

go watch BBC virtual Revolution number 3 - hopefully still on iplayer. Very useful tips and insight re google there

so good ! i think...