How to Promote Your Website Offline

You just spent money, time, and research on developing a website. Now, you or your web designer or web company follow the standard rules of spreading it to the world-wide community –search engines, directories, banners, links, etc. After a few months, you've gotten some hits, but not quite up to your expectations. You consider some "tweaks" to your website, redo a few meta-tabs and do some checking on various search engines. You're there, but why aren't they coming?

1.There's A Real World Out There! Most of us forget! We are inundated daily with information through newspaper ads, billboard ads, mail, phone, radio and TV. The total amount of time we are exposed to these forms of advertising is much greater than the time that we spend on the Internet. Advertising on the net, even in multiple locations is one-dimensional advertising. Other forms of advertising provide different formats for the same concept.

2. Start Simple! Put the name of your website on your stationery, business cards, brochures, and invoices. List your website on any printed company related material no matter how benign it appears. Somebody might hang on to it and visit. One company had imprinted napkins with their logo and their website on it. Do you realize how often people write notes on napkins and take it along with them?

3. Send Announcements! Many local papers accept press releases from all companies announcing new company developments. How about your new or redesigned website? On any type of announcement, list your website!

4. FAX The Facts! – Formal or informal fax cover sheets, and on all fax software cover sheets must have your website name.

5. Give Them A Reason To Come! Design a contest, prize, or free tips, etc. for your site. Send out postcards inviting people to enter or use a special code to obtain their prize.

6. Use Phone Time! Do you have a recording when customers are on hold? Why don't you tell them about your website and its features while they're on hold?

7. Add To Ads! Any time you place an ad in a newspaper, journal, coupon, or even on the back of a register tape – put your website on it. If you're on the radio or TV commercials, tell them your website name. Your customers are everywhere and that's where you should be too!

8. Promote With A Premium! Any type of advertising specialty, whether it's a pen, magnet, clock, cap, T-shirt, etc., needs your website on it. Any giveaway, whether used by an employee, salesperson, or by a customer becomes a walking billboard for your website. A simple pen that was printed " Stolen from www.mycompanyname.com" was an incredible "hit"!

9. Add To Email! Any time you send email include your website!

10. Keep Track! Ask your customers where they heard about you and keep track of the most successful vehicle. It may surprise you!

SK Kor
Internet Marketing Consultant