The simplest solutions are invariably the best, we are often told. But does that axiom hold true for the small to micro-sized company trying to maximise their online presence and return on investment?
The short answer is yes. There are lots of simple, straightforward things web site owners can do to improve their traffic, and here is one to get going with.
Presumably by being in business you know a lot about your field of endeavour, right? Well, capitalise on that knowledge by writing articles and posting them on the many article sites out there on the web. Well-written and informative articles that are authoritative and not merely a sales pitch can be an incredibly effective way to drive traffic to your site. Most places will be looking for articles in the order of 500 to 2000 words on a fairly generic theme. Always include your by line in the text and a link to your site.
The idea is to portray yourself as an expert and talk knowledgeably about a subject you know intimately. Over time it is possible to become a recognised authority or brand in your own right as these sites are used by webmasters as a source of free content.
Think carefully about the subject matter and how to construct your article. The best approach is to think of a problem customers have and how this can be addressed. Remember to write in broad, general terms, it is not an advert per se for your company. The pay-off is in the interest of readers being excited and them following the link to your site. The secret therefore is to leave your audience wanting more. To ensure the best return on your literary thoughts aim for a site with an index page ranking of around 4 to 6.
While there may be numerous article sites around, do a bit of research and look for sites that are either specific to your industry sector or have a relevant category and which are likely to attract your target audience. Although we are speaking here with the internet in mind, it is worthwhile remembering that there are other avenues for your creative genius.
Trade magazines and journals are always on the look out for content. Pitch them your ideas, too, and they may go for it if all you want in return is a by line and a link to your site. However, nothing you offer to the print media should be placed online before the journal or magazine goes to bed. And even then check with them about web usage of the same article. They may have their own site, or would be happy to see the article used elsewhere so long as it mentions them as the original source and/or contains a link to their web site.
In time and with a bit of effort, it should be possible to give your words of wisdom their own momentum. Often, the media will quickly pick up on someone who can string a few cogent words together and offer an informed opinion on a subject. If this happens, try to drop your web site address into the conversation, offering it as a potential additional source of information to complement your quote or interview.
Useful links
ArticleDepot.co.uk
Page ranking search engine for article submit sites
