My Pretty Pillows

Jump Start Your Site FREE! How to promote your website without spending money

Being the owner of 3 sites it is easy to say I need to get creative in finding ways to try and advertise my sites. I do pay to promote my sites on other websites, and also do some pay per click sometimes too, but I soon learned there are many FREE methods of advertising available.

I want to share with those of you whom do not already know about how to look for free advertising methods. A lot of times a site will offer at least one type or more of some type of free advertising ways for you to promote your site. This is a great way to gain extra exposure for free. You just need to know where to look!

I have listed below the most common free methods that I have found:

• Link Exchange - This is where you place your text link on the person's site in exchange for you placing their link on your site!  Some sites have an area for you to become a partner with that site, this is usually for those whom own their website. Each site has their own rules on becoming a partner.  Only do this with sites that are suitable and relevevant to your site.

• Banner Exchange - Again, like link exchange but you swap banners or button sized images, which is usually more exposure then just a text link exchange.

• Weekly or Monthly Stories/Articles - This is where you can submit a work at home story or article you wrote. If your story is featured you will usually receive a link to your site for the credit. 

• Free Classifieds - Many websites offer a free classified section or message boards. 

• Networking - Join networking websites and join in on discussions.  Always include your name and business at the bottom, even if you are just responding to a discussion you are participating in. 

• Become a Site Partner - Some sites have an area for you to become a partner with that site, this is usually for those whom own their website fully though. Each site has their own rules on becoming a partner.  Only do this with sites that are suitable and relevevant to your site as well. 

• Start a Blog.  If you have a subject you love to discuss, start sharing it with the world and you will have one of the most valuable part your website could ever need, and that is CONTENT, CONTENT, CONTENT.  Not only does content drive search engine optimization, it allows you to have your visitors stay on your website longer, and providing valuable information they are looking for.  From recipes, crafts, to your own how-to blogs there is always something to write about. Just make sure you love what you are talking about!  I personally have great interest in many things, such as i love gardening, decor, my home decorating, and website building and  SEO optimization as I am an old school build your site by code momma and search engine optimization was something i just had to learn, along with HTML.  All that fun stuff before drag and drop existed, oh I wish!!  My daughter use to tease me that I was literally self teaching myself college courses in web design, and maybe I was, because I was determined to build my websites and that started my interest in helping others with networking, SEO for websites, and much more.  

So take a moment and write down all your interests.  I bet there is a few!! And just start writing, I bet you have more to say then you think!  Good luck in promoting your site and don't forget to check for all the free advertising methods I mentioned above the next time you visit a website.

Article written by: Christina Bauman. Owner of www.myprettypillows.com