Imagine one day you flip on your PC, log on to
Internet and go to google.com. The browser alerts you and says that there is no website found at that address. No problem you think, as you head on over to Yahoo.com. Same thing. No website found at that url. Now something seems fishy, go to MSN.com because you know Microsoft will never run out of money, and their search engine will be up. Nope, instead you get another alert box telling you that there is no website found at that url.Imagine that!
Yes, imagine an Internet world where no search engines exist, and anyone trying to make a living online selling a product or service has to be found.
Where would you start? Where would you list your site(s)? How would you get your site found by your potential customers?
This is mentality you should always take when promoting your website. Sure, it'd be great to have top rankings in search engines, and get all of that free targeted traffic coming to your site. But just as easily as you achieve that ranking, you could lose it overnight - with a simple filter change in algorithm.
I'm sure you've heard of "Florida" update that caused many site owners panic attacks as their previously highly ranked sites fell off face of Internet. They lost sales, traffic and dreams of Internet riches.
Why?
As I heard someone famous once say: "Don't place all your eggs in one basket" - yet too many website owners do. They are obsessed with a top ranking in Google instead of building a brand name people will recognize and trust. Top rankings in search engines should be part of your Internet marketing strategy, but dedicate only a portion of your efforts to that. You should equally spend your time pursuing partnerships with other non-competitive sectors of Internet.
I'm sure you've seen a web-ring. To refresh, they are a group of related sites that link to each other. Internet marketing is same concept, but on a much grander showcase. You can advertise your site in costly Pay-Per-Click Arena, and if you have budget to do so, by all means, that is quickest way to get found. But keeping in mind that search engines don't exist, what would you do to get word out?
1. Press Releases - While they should be reserved for newsworthy purposes (new product/service, acquisition, attending Trade Show or Convention, etc.), they are a great way to get people to visit your site when they are looking for information relating to your product or service. It's also a great way to build your brand name and to become known as an authority of information in your field.
