So, you have a website, but like everyone, you want more people to visit it. More people = more sales after all.
Many people think that if they put a website up, people will visit it and buy. Not so!
So what's the secret to getting people to visit your website. The secret is.... well, actually, come to think of it, there is no secret! Driving traffic to your website is not an easy task and it certainly requires persistence and a lot of work!
There are things that you can do and need to do if you are to even start on the right path to getting people to your website. Things that are very simple, yet many of us find these things hard to do. Well, it would be truer to say, to do these things consistently. Its consistency and persistence that dictates our success. So let's take a look at what these essentials are.
Market yourself: Market yourself, your website and your product: Everyone in business needs to and does market themselves, even Doctors and other professionals. Marketing is a fundamental part of life. We market ourselves all day every day without thinking. A job interview, teacher meeting, visit to the bank manager or even when we are trying to find a new romantic partner or friendship. So why do so many of us find it difficult to market our work? It's not bragging, being pushy or imposing on anyone. We are happy to tell others about our friend's fantastic work, so why hesitate in selling ourselves? Marketing, or selling, is simply a means of getting your work in front of people who WANT to buy it. You will never make people buy what they don't want.
So how does this relate to your website? Well, first and foremost you have to market where you sell your products so people can go there, look and buy. So market away. Make sure you have your web address on everything. A business card, tags on your pieces, flyers, etc. and don't be shy to hand them out!
Mailing list: Get a mailing list going. Ask people (yes, pretty much everyone you know or come across) for their email addresses and let them know you will send out examples of your latest works, specials etc.
Social Networking: Next hit the Social Networking scene. Start up a Facebook or similar page, join Twitter or whatever pushes your buttons, but get networking. Have your web address on all these mediums. Once you have done that, then let people know what you are doing by showing them pictures of your work and linking back to your website. It's amazing who you will find on Facebook from the lampworking world. All the top names are there doing exactly what is being suggested here. And, I have purchased more than one of their beads from their postings on Facebook!
Blogging: Blogging is a big commitment, but if you can get into the swing of it, and do it on a regular basis, then its a fantastic way to communicate about your product and drive traffic to your website. But the trick is, you have to set the expectation as to when people should look at your blog for a new post.... daily, every other day, weekly etc.... and then stick to it. If you don't, this valuable resource will be lost and those following you will loose interest. Google loves blogs because they are full of text/information and blogs often get ranked highly in search engines. Get your blog seen and you have more of a chance to drive traffic to your website.
Write Tutorials: And share them everywhere. Free tutorials may take a bit of time, but if you have your website address on them you will definitely benefit!
There are lots of other ways to get your web address out to the masses. You just need to be creative. And remember, doing it once or twice will not allow you to reach your goal. Marketing should be 50% of your business and you need to make time to do it consistently.
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