Promote Your Business Web Site in the Non-Cyber World.
It's important that local people in your 'real world' know you and your internet ecommerce business. Your web site with your own domain name (www.yourcompany.com) proves you are out for business and lends credibility. Tried and true methods of increasing market exposure for your internet company:
Distribute the free business cards (100 free cards with every Website Design account) to your customers and prospects.
Have stickers, magnetic signs, banners or press-apply vinyl signs made for your car, brick-and-mortar store, house door, friendly businesses -- you can think of lots of places. Having someone sitting behind you in traffic staring at your web company's name is not a bad way of communicating!
The above advice also applies to trade shows and fairs. Wisely distributed computer-generated specification sheets cost only a few pennies and are worth their weight in customer visibility.
If you call on customers, make up a short "new service" sheet giving your new website address. Point it out to them. (We will be happy to help you with printed promotional material and handout sheets. Just ask.)
At a customer's office, call up your website on his computer and use it to display your product. Ask if you can bookmark / add to favorites for him (Control + D). (And leave a business card by his computer!)
Find your market niche -- related but non-competitive businesses, clubs and service organizations who would welcome knowing about your product or service -- and promote your company to them using the above methods (and you can think of a few industry-related twists on these ideas).
Give Something Away to Get Something.
Consider putting a poll on your website, writing a newsletter or yes, giving something away. Printed note pads, pencils, pens and matchbooks are some traditionally popular choices for promotional give-aways. T-shirts, mugs and cold beverage holders make good contest prizes or 'thank you for your order' gifts, and tastefully done on lasting materials, will carry your company's message for years to come.
Talk to us about ways to get and keep prospects' attention and convert them into your customers.
Whatever works in the 'real' world will work for driving customers to your website. Every visit to your site is another chance for a sale. You salesmen out there know what I mean (and keep up the good work!).
After all, It's your business -- and who knows it better than you?
