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Creating a website and the content to go with it is probably the most easiest part of running any website. When it comes to promoting it a lot of people struggle to find ways to attract visitors to their website despite high quality content. In this short article I will share some top tips to attract visitors and promote your website.
1. Content, content, content
Content is still king. Although you may be able to gain popularity with your current content you are unlikely to be able to maintain it and attract repeat visitors. Keep updating your website with new pages, articles, tutorials, posts or whatever you may host. Plus - keep it fresh! Sometimes the content of an article can quickly become out of date, especially in the area of technology, so return to previous articles and update and republish them. Give your visitors a reason to return, for example you could split long articles or posts into 2 or 3 parts published over a week.
2. Relevant directories and websites
Get your website listed in relevant directories, that is ones related to your sites content! Also attempt to get your site into popular and known general directories such as DMOZ and Yahoo. This may take a long time but it will be worth it.
Setup link exchanges with similar or related websites. This will not only help your pagerank by increasing backlinks but also drive more traffic to your website.
3. Help users find their way around
Users are far more likely to return if they can use your website so make it easy to navigate, get around and find information. Add a search box if necessary - Google can help you with that
4. Make use of social networks
Even if you may not use or like them - make use of them! Add a number of bookmark links at the end of articles, tutorials or even all your pages! There are a number of scripts which make this easy include one right here!
5. Keep you website tidy
What is meant by tidy? Well in this context it means avoid content on your pages which may put off users. Such things include music - if you really want to add it make sure it doesn't auto start! Keep your images high quality but still a small file size. Remember there are still a lot of people using dial up and slow connections. Don't plaster your website with ads - and make sure you review the content of any ads you do place. Most visitors won't mind text or image ads however noisy or expanding flash ads can turn people away.
6. Get feedback
This is something a lot of webmasters seem to neglect. If you visit and edit your website daily you will find it hard to spot problems in the design and usability of your website. Ask your visitors to send you feedback and suggestions. You could simply link to a contact form or include a full survey - but whatever you choose make sure to act on the results!
7. Don't expect users to come to you
This one is especially for new websites. A lot of people will create a website and then have no idea why they aren't getting any visitors. If users won't come to you, you should go to them! Visit similar forums and post about your website - make sure to stick to the rules though! Look for related websites and ask them to exchange links. Get involved with your genre - if you're admin of a movie website, for example, write some reviews of movies you've seen and submit them to review sites like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and of course - your own website! Share your content around
