Being a small business owner usually entails working on shoestring or nonexistent marketing budgets. With so many PAID marketing options, what can you do now to generate some exposure for your business and reach potential new customers?
There are a plethora of free online marketing tools at you disposal, and some require a commitment of your time in order to reap the benefits. Here are a few tips you can do today to promote your site. Cost: $0
Google Maps- List Your Business in Google, even without a website. It is very wise for local businesses to be found in the local results in major search engines. These local results are free to be included in and simply require you to fill out a form to let the search engines know about your business You will need a physical street address, but you can appear on top of page 1 in Google local search results. And you can even attract and track customers by incorporating Local Merchant Coupons- see below
Google Coupons Add Coupons to Your Google Maps Listing - Free! Google users print your coupons and bring them to your business. Coupons will appear alongside your business listing on Google Maps. Adding coupons to your listing in Google Maps may bring new customers to your business. http://www.google.com/local/add/coupons?hl=en-US&gl=US
Yahoo Answers- show your expertise by signing up and answering questions related to your area of business expertise and service
Linked In Polls If you are not on Linked In – do it now. Its all about networking, especially if you ar ea service oriented provider.
Create a Blog using WordPress or Blogger. Develop a corporate and/or personal blog that educates and entertains. And update it regularly (at least once per week)!
Citysearch.com, Openlist, Menupages and other local directories. Do you have listing already? Most businesses can have a free basic listing name, address and phone……if you want a full business profile with photos you will need to upgrade to the paid profiles. But you can usually upgrade for as little as $99/month. Certain verticals thrive on sites like these…take a look around and see if your competition is featured – that’s a sign.
Social Networks- Facebook, Twitter. Build your brand via social networking. Consider Twitter in order to put a person behind your thoughts and insights. A greatway to announce lastminute vent updates and news. Monitor what new customers and loyal customers are saying about your business and get active in damage control and customer service!
There are a plethora of free online marketing tools at you disposal, and some require a commitment of your time in order to reap the benefits. Here are a few tips you can do today to promote your site. Cost: $0
Google Maps- List Your Business in Google, even without a website. It is very wise for local businesses to be found in the local results in major search engines. These local results are free to be included in and simply require you to fill out a form to let the search engines know about your business You will need a physical street address, but you can appear on top of page 1 in Google local search results. And you can even attract and track customers by incorporating Local Merchant Coupons- see below
Google Coupons Add Coupons to Your Google Maps Listing - Free! Google users print your coupons and bring them to your business. Coupons will appear alongside your business listing on Google Maps. Adding coupons to your listing in Google Maps may bring new customers to your business. http://www.google.com/local/add/coupons?hl=en-US&gl=US
Yahoo Answers- show your expertise by signing up and answering questions related to your area of business expertise and service
Linked In Polls If you are not on Linked In – do it now. Its all about networking, especially if you ar ea service oriented provider.
Create a Blog using WordPress or Blogger. Develop a corporate and/or personal blog that educates and entertains. And update it regularly (at least once per week)!
Citysearch.com, Openlist, Menupages and other local directories. Do you have listing already? Most businesses can have a free basic listing name, address and phone……if you want a full business profile with photos you will need to upgrade to the paid profiles. But you can usually upgrade for as little as $99/month. Certain verticals thrive on sites like these…take a look around and see if your competition is featured – that’s a sign.
Social Networks- Facebook, Twitter. Build your brand via social networking. Consider Twitter in order to put a person behind your thoughts and insights. A greatway to announce lastminute vent updates and news. Monitor what new customers and loyal customers are saying about your business and get active in damage control and customer service!
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