What’s the secret to attracting traffic to your website?  Just how do you encourage positive links? Well, the answer is simple: build traffic by building relationships.

If you want to be found online, there are several smart ways to do it.  Initially, however, you need to prioritise.  If selling is the top of your list, you won’t get very far.  If communicating is tops, you’re more likely to be noticed.

Why is this?  People buy from people.  So, if you reveal more of yourself, share your expertise and engage, people will warm to you.  This is an essential marketing strategy for every small business to master.

10 ways to increase website traffic:

• Make sure your website content solves your customers’ problems.
• Optimise your website using SEO techniques. Incorporating keywords will help search engines find you.
• Write a blog which links back to your website. Search engines snaffle up new content. So, keep them well fed with plenty of fresh content.  And, remember to submit your blog feeds to blog directories such as www.blogcatalog.com.
• Submit articles to online directories, such as www.ezinearticles.com. Be known as an expert in your field…
• Contribute to online forums and blogs.  Use your signature to promote your website.
• Promote your services using free online business directories such as www.freeindex.co.uk and www.touchlocal.com
• Join social networking sites and get talking or tweeting!  Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are currently the most popular.
• Submit online press releases to www.prlog.co.uk, www.free-press-release.com and www.pressbox.co.uk.  You can also contact local press, as well as trade magazines.
• Swap links with a business partner.
• And finally … use the free bookmarking service www.socialmarker.com to save time and make life easier.  Check out www.digg.com and www.delicious.com
  
  

It takes time … commitment … and patience.  But, if you set some time aside every day, the benefits are well worth it.  As soon as you join an online community, you’ll learn new skills too!  Get talking … to get more business.

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