Link building, email campaigns, local advertisement, SMM, Directories, search engine submits , build a community. In that order. edit

Depends on the business, target market and product or service.

For example, if you are a regional/local business, get a Google Local Business maps listing.

If you are an expert in a particular area, then post expert advice on discussion boards/groups and develop an email marketing campaign to provide advice that convinces people that you are the person to hire.

If you do demonstrations, workshops and speaking engagements, use email newsletters, post online press releases, Facebook and Linked Events followed by invitations.

If you are an interior designer, design an online portfolio with Facebook or Flickr Photo Albums and do great SEO on your website regionally (that includes Google Maps) to attract potential customers and direct them to your portfolio.

Get more tips and advice at www.WebArtNTech.com.
Suzanne
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Hi Kristen,

Depending upon who your target audience is, there are several approaches to take.

You can market web businesses offline as well - television, radio, posters, event sponsorships.

If you want some advice directly, call me: 502-403-3504 I own entrepreneurchatroom.com edit

One way to market a web business is to drive quality traffic to your site as well as improve your search ranking with quality one-way back links. I work for businessjunkie.org check it out - its a place to start. edit

Kristen,

You can market an online business with either Internet marketing or traditional media marketing approaches. Internet marketing includes search engine optimization for your website pages, in-bound link campaigns, search engine advertising (typically pay-per-click advertising) and social networking. Traditional media would include magazines, newspaper, yellow pages, radio and television advertising.

You should develop a marketing plan that focuses on your target market and customer needs in that market place. There are a wide range of marketing and advertising options availale for you, but some will be more effective than others. You should tailor your marketing plan to your potential customers.

Here is a great book on search engine advertising, "Search Engine Advertising" by Catherine Seda.. It describes what you can do (not so much how to do it), so it's fairly easy to understand your Internet marketing options.

You can find this book at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.

For most of my clients, I recommend a complementary strategy of search engine optimization with in-bound links and search engine advertising. In some cases, it can take months to see the results of search engine optimization work while search engine advertising is immediate in terms of impact.

Unless you have a lot of experience with Internet marketing, I recommend finding a professional to assist you with search engine marketing.

Ron Baker
SCORE Counselor edit

Ron is right on the mark.

The web marketing opportunities grow and evolve every week.

Yes, the web has an app for that...

Suzanne Engels
Information Architect and Web Designers edit

The majority of web traffic goes thru the search engines first. Therefore you need to get listed on the Big 3. That is Job #1

Next, focus primarily on Google.

Before you generate traffic, be sure that Google will see it when it happens (i.e. someone finds you thru Yahoo, how does Google find out about that unless you tell them? or someone finds you thru a link from a third party site, how does Google find out about that unless you or the third party tells them?)

To notify Google of this other traffic (non-Google search) you want to sign up for Google analytics and let Google 'see' your traffic. (Be sure to set up a filter to exclude your own IP address from being counted.)

Now that Google can see your traffic, you can work on generating some. That's where links and all the other things start. edit

Kristen, I have actually used a method that teaches one how to drive traffic to their website among other useful things. You can find it at http://www.easystepbystepetail.com.

Like I say I've used it myself with great success. I started on a super low budget but that wasn't an issue with this course. It's only,$10 for a 5 video course. I know that sounds incredible but it's true.

The best thing about it is that it is easy to understand and apply. He teaches you up-to-date methods and many can be utilized for free. I'm especially impressed with his SEO techniques.

He not only tells you what works but how to do it...and it works. What I do is toggle between two screens. One with the instructional video and the other for quick application. By the time I've viewed the videos I'm off and running...real time!

Okay Kristen give the site a look. I hope to hear back from you on your success!

Cya! -Donna edit

Hello Kristen,

I agree with most of the comments so far! Building a marekting & advertising plan really depends on your niche. I have had the best luck when I approach it from the customers point of view - what problem are you solving for your customer?

When I started out there were plenty of Free/Low cost ways - article writing, social networking, blogs, video's, etc but it has become very tough to do this now. My buisness was struggling a bit until I found AdzZoo - I was so impressed that I joined forces with them and now most of my networking groups utilize it for their businesses.

I would also make sure of what you are getting for your money when you are looking at paying for outside services for professionals to do this for you! Outsourcing is a great asset IF you find the right service. It can be very costly if you pick the wrong one so ask for referrences and check with the BBB.

Hope this helps - Be glad to chat more if you would like!
Linda

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The main focus on social networking is to ensure that you are friends with or following your targeted market and that you don't pitch directly to them as that will drive customers away.

Have you thought about other SEO techniques like backlinks.

I understand that Business Junkie .org is still running their free promotion - you might want to check it out.

Also, I have our blog posted automatically to Facebook and twitter - I feel that it is working because we are getting more followers.

Good Luck! edit

The best way to market a business on the net is to market yourself first and prove it by passing on knowledge through the use of blogs. As people read your blogs and assign the "expert" tag to you, you will be able to market yourself and business to these people very successfully.

Joe Villeneuve
http://marketyourselffirst.blogspot.com/ edit

SEO and Social Media Marketing is the way to go edit

If your idea is good, it will sell by itself.. you may just need starting push edit

It is all about search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) - three things - communications, content and links - we might be able to help you: - http://www.onblur.net/ edit

I think you should pay for a group of people to their leaflets
[url=http://www.abcneckties.com/bow-ties.html]men's bow ties[/url]
[url=http://www.exotictouchlingerie.com/Plus-Size-Lingerie-s/8.htm]Plus size Lingerie[/url]
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I think it's worth mentioning, I belong to an incredibly wonderful network where you can meet 1000's of like minded business people while advertising your business at the same time!
You need to take a look at it! http://www.myNetworkingPro.com/quicksignup/Globaldiet
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