In this edition of the blog, we will look at a few simple methods to promote your website to a local, Belfast audience.
1. Post free ads on http://belfast.gumtree.com
You can put your advert into relevant categories and add pictures and/or videos of your products and services.
2. Post free ads on local discussion forums
Our two favourite sites are http://www.belfastforum.co.uk and http://www.talkbellfast.com . Remember to ask permission and maybe offer a link exchange or discounts to their members. Otherwise, ads may be viewed as spam and removed.
3. Send a text
Send a text message to your friends and ask them to forward it on. It's a case of word-of-mouth for the digital age. Remember to include contact details or your website address.
4. Search Engine Optimisation
Speak to us about optimising your website for the search engines. This means you'll be paying a one-off fee for more traffic from google as opposed to paying for expensive adwords campaigns - or issing out on traffic completely!!
For example, if you type 'physiotherapist in belfast' into google, you'll see that Belfast Back Care, a site I recently designed, will rank quite highly. The business owner has reported a significant increase in trade as a result.
5. Use free directories
It's free to add your business to online directories such as http://www.freeindex.co.uk and Lee Munroe's fabulous http://www.lookaly.com. If you get your customers to leave reviews of your business on these sites, you'll climb higher up the list and get more views.
Personally, I'd avoid Yell.com as they'll probably phone you once a week in an attempt to involve you in expensive advertising campaigns.
6. Ask customers for testimonials
Again it's the word of mouth principle but it's very powerful. A happy customer will be delighted to give you a positive testimonial and future customers will be more than happy to read them. Include testimonials on your website and printed promotional materials.
7. Write a press release
If you are doing something newsworthy then submit a press release to local media outlets and sites such as http://www.prleap.com/ . Remember to localise your press release to a local audeince.
One of my web design customers was getting fabulous results with his 12-week body transformation programme (read about it at http://paulmcilroy.com/personaltrainer/) and followed our advice about contacting the press. Recently, he has been regularly featured on radio and in the Sunday Life.
8. Enail Signatures
Be sure to add your web address or contact details to all of your outgoing email. Try adding your mission statement, or a catchy phrase to help people understand what you do. Change it often so people notice it again.
9. Get Social
Join and generate fans on sites such as bebo, facebook, twitter and myspace. Your fans will tell friends about your site - providing that you are making a positive contribution to that community. Joining for the sake of a link is unlikely to work so add you blog entires etc for your fans to read.
10. Door to door
Get some leaflets printed and deliver them to homes in your catchment area. Remember to stop and talk to any householders you meet as they will then reinforce your message to any neighbours who mention the leaflets.
Remember that it's your aim to protray a positive image of your business so get your leaflets professionally printed. 500 A5 flyers, printed in full colour on both sides, should cost no more than £120 for design and printing. Feel free to drop us a line and we'll put you in touch with quality design and print services.
So there you have it, a few simple methods that are time and cost effective. Remember that you could involve the children and get them to help you deliver leaflets while you are out on a walk.
Good luck!!!
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written by talklfc, February 09, 2010
Good list though.
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Keep it up.