| in the web |
| URL Power |
| Ashley Byrd & Andrew Folks |
 Back in early 30's, business at Garnet Carter's Rock City Rock Garden on Tennessee's Lookout Mountain just had not tipped. These were also Depression times without the mass media tools we can call upon today. Carter had to go with what he did have: paint and a talented sign painter in Clark Byers. Byers traveled the roadways painting barns for free with one condition-the words "See Rock City" were painted on the roofs of the barns. The rest is history. Carter's famous rock garden is still attracting visitors and the barn painting campaign is, in Semaphore's opinion, one of the cleverest marketing moves ever.
One of the fundamental concepts in the above is that Carter was driving the customer to his business-literally. And you do not need a rock garden to do the same.
In addition to the physical location of your business or service, your URL, aka website address, is your "location" on in the virtual world. And unless you have super strength or a large staff, it's probably your only location that operates seven days a week and 365 days a year without eating or sleeping.
Clearly, your web location is an important part of your business. And just like your real office, you need to drive folks to it…and also to you. Here are a few helpful tips to increase your web traffic…and your business:
- Put Up a Billboard
Billboards are a lot like websites in that they operate constantly. They also reach a mass audience. If your website is down in hits, try putting up a billboard that features the website prominently. In addition to advertising your business, it will advertise your site.
- Put it Everywhere
If your name in featured on items or in articles, find a way to include the web address, too! Never have an Internet mention without the URL, thus the immediate link to your web page.
- Give-Em The Special
Specialties are a great way to advertise your website and your business. Give away pens with just your URL on them. Get a company T-Shirt with the logo on the front, and the web address on the back. These are simple ways to drive folks to your real, and virtual, home.
- Refer Folks
Websites are great information delivery tools that can save you time and money. Take advantage of this by referring folks to your website verbally as much as possible. For example, if you have a great map on your website, send someone who asks you for directions the link. They might just surf the rest of your site too!! Little things like that can go a long way towards keeping the old site visit list growing.
If you have a website with activity that isn't picking up or you suspect there are folks who are not finding you, try some of the steps above. And with all of the above being said, please visit Semaphore at www.semaphoreinc.com.
And the cool thing, the source for historical information in the above was: www.seerockcity.com.
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