Websites can be a great marketing tool but they also need to be marketed. Your site is not a field of dreams, build it and they will come. It can take some work to get your site properly promoted and into the public eye. There are many ways other than I have included but these are some of the most effective.
1. Search Engines (may require SEO)
This is probably one of the most difficult ways to market a site, but also one of the most popular ways due to the fact that the traffic you get can be extremely targeted. It is usually better to start off targeting niche markets and low competition keywords.
2. Start a pay per click advertising (PPC) campaign
PPC advertising takes a lot of studying to do right, and can cost a decent amount of money, but if your site is well designed and converts well, or you are just looking for traffic, it can be a very powerful marketing tool when done right.
3. Write articles and submit them to article directories
Article directories are a great way to get traffic and links back to your website. There are many established article directories that have been proven to get websites traffic. People search for articles in different categories, read the article then they will hopefully follow a link at the bottom of the article to your website.
4. Do some link exchanges
This used to be one of the most important ways to rank well for keywords and bring traffic to your website. It is now more important to exchange links or get one-way links from relevant sites as opposed to as many links as possable. Search for websites and blogs related to your site and contact them for a link exchange.
5. Post in forums
Forums are another good way to get back-links and traffic, but you need to contribute to the forums and not just spam them with your links. Join forums that are related to your site, and include your website link in your forum signature. By making helpful posts people will be inclined to check out the link in your signature because you’ve built interest about yourself.
6. Use the Social Networking & Bookmarking Sites
Social networking sites are often overlooked as a way to market a website or blog. Having lots of friends and access to groups can be a good way to contact a lot of people. Some social networking sites also have forums and classifieds that you can post in.
7. Do some banner advertising
If you have a nice banner on a good site it can get you traffic. The best way to do this is to search for websites related to your site and contact them for a banner exchange or advertising rates.
8. Opt-in Email Marketing
Email marketing can be very beneficial if done well. Offering a free e-book or tips is a good way to get people to sign up. Once they sign up you can send emails to bring them back to your site or to promote something.
9. Engage in Viral Marketing
This is the hottest new way to market a website, but it is not easy! You have probably heard about videos getting millions of views, and articles getting thousands of hits. If you can think up a really clever, funny or useful idea and tie it into your website via a link or some other way, you can drive incredible amounts of traffic to your site with very little money or possibly none at all.
10. Write some Blogs
Blogs are a great way to reach a lot of people in a fast manner. They take a lot of work, and to make a blog really effective they need to be updated with fresh content at least several times a week.
11. Networking and word of mouth
Networking can have many benefits to promoting your site. I am always going to networks and talking to people. By networking and making friends in business you can learn from each other and help each other, which will benefit your site. Make sure you use your print materials with your site on them as a handout. Tell family, friends and that scary looking guy in the elevator (he may just be your next best customer).