Outta Site

With sites on the World Wide Web popping up faster than you cansay "cyberspace," it's hard to stand out in thecrowd. That's why setting up a Web site is only the first stepto effective online marketing, says Jay Conrad Levinson,狗万官方columnist and co-author ofGuerrillaMarketing OnlineandGuerrilla Marketing Online Weapons(both Houghton Mifflin). "You can have the best Web site inthe world," he says, "but if people don't know aboutit, it's going to be a loser." His tips to help marketyour business online:

1.Choose a name for your Web site carefully．The name ofyour site is extremely important. Stick with names that are easy toremember and spell.

2.Chat it up．Enter online "chat rooms"frequently, and aim to get in on discussions where you can offeradvice in your field of expertise. To build strong relationshipsthat can pay off down the line, strive for one-on-one interactionswith Web users.

3.Content is king．Keep in mind that better contentmakes for a better Web site. Never compromise on the quality ofyour content--that's what draws people in.

4.Take it easy．One of the most common mistakes peoplemake when marketing online is to use techniques that come across aspushy. The Internet is "a pretty cool medium," Levinsonsays, where members appreciate a delicate touch.

5.Keep promising something new．你的网站shouldconstantly推广应用e what's coming up in the near future so userswill return again and again. Keep adding to and improving your sitefrom the day you launch it.

6.Offer to provide content to others．Electronicnewsletters and magazines are always in need of new information.One of the best ways to create an online presence is to e-mailsites and volunteer content on a regular basis.

7.Respond rapidly．If people visiting your site havequestions, reply within a day or two, or you're liable to losethem as customers. Fast response is the single most importantfactor in retaining Web users.

8.Keep it simple．When interacting online, brevity isthe rule. Learn to express yourself concisely so you don'twaste people's time.

9.Be patient．It's unlikely you'll achieve theresults you want online right away. Try not to be turned off whenpeople don't respond immediately; follow up several times withpotential prospects.

10.Link with like-minded sites．The more gateways toother sites you have, the better. Try to find free links, or"trade-outs," where you offer a link to someone'ssite and they provide one in return. It's possible to offerhundreds of links, but make sure they all appeal to your targetaudience.

11.Be consistent．Don't expect results if you marketyour business online only occasionally or haphazardly. Maintain aconstant presence so you'll build a solid reputation in theonline universe.

12.Market your Web site in other media．If you advertisein print media, write columns for industry publications or engagein public speaking events, be sure to always mention your Website.

Check our the Guerrilla Marketing Web site athttp://www.gmarketing.com