9 Effective Free Advertising Methods to Increase Website Traffic

Attracting and increasing traffic to your website or blog can be very confusing! Do you go with PPC, or PPV? Are you good at writing? Can you make videos? How can you use social networks?

When it comes right down to it, there really are two ways to get traffic - you pay for it, or you earn it.

So let's look at some of the effective and time-tested ways you can increase traffic to your site by earning it. What, you may ask, do I mean by 'earning it'? That's the traffic you invest your time and effort in, not your budget.

It's also known as free traffic.

Free traffic methods are not all created equal - some you run across should be outlawed as a big waste of your time. Wouldn't you like to use free advertising methods that really do work? There are tried and proven methods that will increase your website traffic.

Let's have a more detailed look at 9 of the most effective free traffic methods that will not only bring you viewers, but will boost your online image as authority in your field.

1. Publish a blog.

Get this going right away. Use your name as the URL. The purpose of your personal blog is to have an online home. Â It's where you offer valuable content and interact with others. You can also use it to present your products and offers.

2. Article marketing.

Well-written and informative articles that you submit to article aggregation sites are one of the best ways to become viewed as an authority on your topic. (Sign in and get my free eBook showing you how to do this)

3. Offer a webinar.

Are you already an expert in your field? Then offer a webinar where you teach others the basics. Offering value to others is the best way to bring people to your site, where they'll opt-in to join your webinar. Once they're on your list, you can keep in contact with more information, training, and offers.

4. Reports.

Put several of your articles or blog posts together and offer them as a report. Give it away free in the signature line of your articles (see how these all can work together?) as an incentive to visit your website.

5. Press release.

Written an e-book or a course? Publish a press release to spread the word, letting interested people know where they can access it (on your site, of course!).

6. Videos.

Make videos and post them on YouTube. They should be informational, not salesy or overtly promotional. Always use good lighting and sound. One idea is to repurpose an article as a video - either in PowerPoint form or as a live video.

7. Social Networks.

Set up profiles on BetterNetworker, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Interact with others. Use these sites for your online "word of mouth" advertising. Did you know that 25% of the time that people spend online, they are using social networks? 80% of these users are looking for something to buy, so could be potential customers.

8. Squidoo.

No, it's not a sea monster -According to Wikipedia, "Squidoo is a community online that allows users to create pages (called lenses) for subjects of interest. The site also allows content creators to earn revenue from referral links to sites like Amazon and eBay." Squidoo lenses are loved by Google, so are indexed quickly. This is one of the most powerful free tools available! Article writing with hidden benefits!

9. Guest Posting.

Look for opportunities to write and publish an article on someone else's blog. Your post will include a link to your blog somewhere in the post (generally in a resource box at the end). It's one of the best ways to build your online reputation and influence, and a great way to connect with new people. Word of advice: develop a relationship with the owner of the blog before you ask to be a guest poster.

So what's your next step?

Choose one of the methods above that lights your fire and master it. Look for information online on how to really do that method well. Many others have taken the paths before you, so use their experience to create your own roadmap to success online with free methods that attract traffic to your website.

Nicolette Goff is part of a husband and wife team that strives to help others along their path to success. She publishes tips and articles on all aspects of online marketing on their blog, http://www.DennisandNicki.com.
Grab a copy of her comprehensive guide to Article Marketing Domination on their website, and learn how to successfully integrate article marketing into your affiliate marketing.

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