Targeting Web Traffic

Every business web site relies on targeted web traffic to drive sales. Unfortunately, many of these businesses rely on a few techniques to generate traffic to their site, and rarely go beyond that.

While Web marketing techniques such as SEO and pay-per-click will funnel targeted web traffic to your site, depending on how competitive your business it may not be enough. By using a wider variety of marketing techniques you'll attract visitors from new sources.

What are some ways to drive targeted visitors directly to your site? We listed a few ideas below; most require more time than money. Choose the ones you think will work with your site, your skills and your interests.

Web Traffic thru Offline Advertising

It's very likely that whatever you're trying to sell online can be linked to a relevant media outlet offline. For example, if you sell bicycles from your website, there's no doubt a suitable offline magazine in which you can place an ad. The aim of the ad won't be to sell your products, but to bring attention to your website.

Wherever you think your most likely customers will look for your products or services offline is a means to getting them to go online. The bottom line is offline advertising can mean online profits.

Press Releases to Target Customers

Both online and offline press releases offer newsworthy items that can be picked up by the national press. If you're just starting out in your online business, or if you are launching a new product or service, there are people who will want to know about it.

If this is something you haven't explored before, check out websites like PRWeb to view existing press releases and learn how to write your own. Most places will charge you for this service, but your press release will get maximum coverage on and off the Internet.

Opt-in Email Campaigns

Opt-in email marketing can provide one of the most effective ways of generating repeat web traffic from your existing customer base.

If a customer's first purchase from you was a positive experience, there's a very good chance they will buy from you again because they trust you. Capture email addresses by encouraging your customers to sign up for your email newsletter or other promotional information.

Another option is renting an opt-in email list while you're still building your own. A carefully worded e-mail to those who have expressed an interest in receiving further information about your products or services could lead to new sales. However, be prepared to pay quite a bit.

Directly Deliver Your Message

Relatively easy and inexpensive, direct mail has always been an effective and profitable form of marketing. Create a single page introductory sales letter or brochure design detailing your products or services and all the benefits. For maximum effect, offer a discount or something free when they make their first purchase from your website. Give them more than a good reason to visit your website.

Next, rent a targeted mailing list from a reputable list broker. There are lists available which cover every conceivable geographic and demographic statistic, regardless of your type of business.

Referral Marketing

This is a simple strategy of referring your own customers to a related but non-competitive website in return for them doing the same for you.

Let's say you sell bicycles online. Find some quality sites that sells bike helmets and contact the webmaster. Ask them if they would be willing to send their traffic to you in return for you doing the same for them. Chances are most will agree. You'll then need to decide whether to display an ad on each other's site or go for a written recommendation.

Either way, it will increase the chances of you getting more web traffic to your site because you have been recommended. By finding many related websites you can have many streams of visitors coming directly to your site.

Web Traffic Merchants

There are companies who specialize in selling targeted web traffic. They use all forms of online advertising to get people to visit your website and usually guarantee the numbers. At around $20 for 10,000 visitors, it certainly looks tempting.

However, beware of scams in this market. Some will take your money and place your ad on a Free For All (FFA) website, leaving you to deal with loads of email spam from everyone trying to sell you their products.

If you're interested in finding a reliable merchant, a good place to start would be TrafficCircuit.com. A little more expensive than others, they offer real-time web tracking services so you can see where the traffic comes from.

Affiliate Marketing Programs

Getting other websites to sell your products for a commission is a tried and tested, successful and very rewarding exercise. These websites advertise your products and send web traffic to you when a customer is ready to make a purchase. You don't pay your affiliates until you've been paid. In addition to saving on advertising costs, the increased activity to your website will help your search engine rankings.

Unfortunately, affiliate programs don't work very well if you're selling a service.

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