Free advertising Tools

Use free Internet advertising strategies to gain consumer trust and build your business.

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Today's consumers are turning to the Internet more than any other resource to find information and make buying decisions. Companies need to have a strong Web presence to gain these consumers trust and business. At one time, advertising online was expensive, but today, promoting your business online is fast and affordable. In fact, many of the free methods are more effective in building credibility and trust with consumers.

Build Web Presence

If you don't already have a website or other online presence, you need to build one. This can be done for free through website building services, such as Weebly, blogging platforms such as Blogger, or through social networking such as Facebook's Fan pages. Regardless of what method you use, create a site that gives consumers the information they're looking for with regularly updated information to keep them coming back.

Optimize Site for Search Engines

Although you don't want to rely on search engines to bring you customers, you don't want to ignore the power of search engine ranking either. Basic search engine optimization includes coding your site so search engines can scan and rank your site, providing quality content regularly and building back links-sites that link back to yours. When coding your site, use the title, keyword and description tags in your header as this helps search engines understand your site and rank it accordingly. Most website builders can help with this or use a free meta tag generator, such as the one at ScrubTheWeb. Back links can be built through link exchanges with or providing free articles to other sites.

Related Reading: Great Internet Marketing Tips

Write Press Releases And Articles

One of the best ways to build your credibility, as well as build back links is through press releases and articles. Press releases provide newsworthy information about your business, such as launching a new product or service. It should be written like a news article, not an advertisement, and then submitted to the free press release services online. Even if your press release doesn't result in being contacted for an interview, it remains online where it will get indexed by search engines and be a source of back links. Writing articles to post on other websites also increases your web exposure and credibility. Website owners are always in need quality information and are willing to post your article for free. In return you get exposure to the web owners' readership and links back to your website.

Participate And Network

Making direct connections with consumers has become more important in recent years. Consumers want to work with businesses that they feel care and can help fulfill their needs. Participating in online discussion forums, commenting on blogs and social networking are all ways you can share your expertise, and build trust and relationships with consumers. When participating in these venues, don't post ads and offers. Instead ask and answer questions, offer support, and connect with the other participants. Once they know you, they'll want to buy from you.

Partner With Another Business

Joint ventures give you access to other business' customer databases without having to pay for advertising. Joint ventures can work in a variety of ways as long as both partners benefit financially. One option is to give your partner a percentage of the profits made from sales from his database. Another option is to do an exchange in which you send your database his offer, and he sends his database your offer.