Marketing/advertising A Website - Someone Please Help

[iBizStart]

I was wondering if yous can give me a little insight or advice.

Im about to launch a new site, amazingweapons.com. I was wondering how you go about advertising and marketing your website. I was thinking about hiring a company for "search engine optimization" but that is quite costly. Most companies charge $500 a month and can't even guarantee results.

Other then pay per click search engines, im out of ideas. I was wondering if you can help

[INFORG]

Press Release Services:
http://www.press-release-writing.com/
http://www.xpresspress.com
http://www.send2press.com/

Click Exchanges:
http://iloveclicks.com
http://clickthru.com

Weapons Forums:
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...=weapons+forum

Newsletter Advertising:
http://newsletteraccess.com

Miscellaneous Advertising/Banner and Traffic:
http://webmasterbids.com
http://ebay.com

[hiOsilver]

I have tried everything, well a lot of things. I have been running a site, www.hiosilver.com , for 4 years.

1. You have to pay attention to search engines. You will learn more by doing your own placement/optimization. Join some mailing lists for ezines for do-it-yourself search engine placement. But don't spend too much time on this. And don't hold your breath. This takes time unless you know what you are doing or are willing to pay someone who does.

2. PPC (pay per click) Search Engines. This is the most cost-effective way to get started. I have been using Overture for years. It is a way to get on the map. I suggest you check out less expensive ones, unless you really want a lot of traffic fast and are willing to pay. Otherwise, try Roar.com or FindWhat.com. There are others.

3. Find people with names that generate traffic. For example, I own C45.com . I would imagine that type-ins on that name are weapons related. You could buy such names or simply offer to buy the traffic, if the names are not being actively used. For example, I have OxygenWater.com, SportsWater.com, HealthWater.com, hydrate.net & hydrate.com all pointing at my site, hiosilver.com. There is a service you can use to purchase such traffic. I am using one and will look it up and post again.

Forget the "5,000 Search Engine and Free Links", as those will contaminate your email with spam. They are worse than worthless.

Forget banner exchange -- a total waste of time considering that click-thru-ratios are so low on banners that you gain nothing.

Do not buy banner advertising unless it is at a super relevant and targeted site. And, then you need to look at your click-thru ratio to see if whatever you pay per cpm makes it worthwhile:

ppc = cpm/1000/ctr e.g. cpm = $5 ctr = 1% ppc=$.50
That is expensive, as in many categories, you can get good placement for less than $.50 even at Overture. The above means you would need to place a very high value on the clicks or you would need a better ctr (banners typically yield low ctr) or a lower cpm. DNF, for example, is great for companies like DomainSponsor and Fabulous, that are in the domain biz. DNF banners would be a waste of money for your site.

[iBizStart]

Thanks everybody. Keep the ideas coming

[Customb]

I can work with you on some issues that include both online and offline promotion. We work with the major players in the business and can make your site grow very quickly. We can work with any budget you have and get results for what you want. We work hard to make your business grow. If you are interested please send me a PM or email and I will be happy to discuss this with you. I have worked with companies like J Walter Thompson, Ford Motor Company, Choice Hotels, InterContinental Hotels (former 6 Continents), Quiznos, and ESPN. Those are only a ample of the corporations we have worked with. If you are serious about this please talk with us and we can help you make it work.

[iBizStart]

Thanks but I think I will start with SEO and PPC

[insomnia]

Google Adwords is quite a nice service, perhaps you should set aside a small test budget and see how that works out!

[Customb]

I will leave this final comment. All serious advertisers know that online advertising alone can not make a website extremely profitable. You have to come with a nice combination of things that are driving people to your website, both online and offline. To support my philosophy look on TV one day and at all of the commercials for the major players in the business. The smaller ones use direct mail to targetted lists to solicit their business and drive the traffic to their website. Just a thought.

[diverge]

A friend of mine has a business that does keyword optimization off-site for you (on their server), and guarantees results. Their rates are good if you can monetize your traffic once you get it.

http://www.dreamstargroup.com/