most recent 30 from http://www.gatejumper.net 2010-07-30T19:06:06Z http://www.gatejumper.net/feeds/question/220 http://www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/rdf http://www.gatejumper.net/questions/220/what-are-the-most-overlooked-traffic-builders-for-non-blog-businesses Jason 2009-12-14T04:54:26Z 2009-12-31T03:06:28Z

<p>There are so many resources available that help up and coming bloggers build traffic, readership, and develop a unique community. Much of the "lifestyle design" community focuses on blogging and how to use social media to increase the popularity of your blog.</p> <p>Besides paid search, what kind of traffic builders can be used for more traditional online businesses? Before initiating a paid search campaign, I want to maximize the free or low cost ways to drive traffic to the site. For online retail, it seems social media is out (how would one use StumbleUpon for a retail site?) and many other resources would be irrelevant:guest posting, feedburner/RSS, etc.</p> <p>Has anybody successfully increased sales using free traffic builders before launching a paid search campaign? What works?</p>

http://www.gatejumper.net/questions/220/what-are-the-most-overlooked-traffic-builders-for-non-blog-businesses/221#221 JW 2009-12-14T08:54:01Z 2009-12-14T08:54:01Z

<p>"Free or low-cost" usually means putting in time. Getting content up that leads visitors to your site is low-cost, but takes time. </p> <ol> <li>If your main site isn't a blog, then start a blog to illustrate your passion about your products. Lead people back to the site from your blog. Then, promote the blog using all of the techniques that work for blogs.</li> <li>Offer a free report as an incentive to sign up for a newsletter. Use Aweber to administer the list. Send out helpful information about your products periodically, and include specials or coupon codes.</li> <li>Start up a Facebook fan page and Twitter account. Offer coupons only available through those venues.</li> <li>YouTube videos demonstrating aspects of the products.</li> </ol>

http://www.gatejumper.net/questions/220/what-are-the-most-overlooked-traffic-builders-for-non-blog-businesses/222#222 Corbett 2009-12-14T18:27:22Z 2009-12-14T18:27:22Z

<p>I agree with JW, I wouldn't overlook the value of creating a blog for your site. Essentially, you need to be creating content that people will want to visit your site to read and share with their online friends. A blog is probably the easiest way to create that content and form a bond with your potential customers.</p> <p>Also, guest posting can still be an effective way to get customers to your site, even if you don't have a blog. Just work to get guest posting spots on blogs related to your niche, then include info about your store and a link within your bio.</p> <p>Here's another suggestion: start an affiliate program. An effective affiliate program can create lots of links and traffic to your site. Check out clickbank or ejunkie for examples.</p>

http://www.gatejumper.net/questions/220/what-are-the-most-overlooked-traffic-builders-for-non-blog-businesses/223#223 Nate 2009-12-14T18:40:33Z 2009-12-14T18:40:33Z

<p>Ditto JW and and Corbett's responses above. If it's a retail site then I would assume it's some product geared to some sort of niche. Can you start a blog to talk about that product? Can you join a community or create one through a blog related to that topic? Look at what Gary Vaynerchuk has done. He ran a bricks and mortar wine business and then decided to get into the Social Media game by starting Wine Library TV. Needless to say, he's had tremendous success with it.</p> <p>Can you write articles about the product? If so, have you thought about submitting articles to some of the major directories, such as eZine articles? It's a another way to get some links and possibly build some traffic, but it does take quite a bit of work.</p> <p>Hopefully this helps a little bit.</p>

http://www.gatejumper.net/questions/220/what-are-the-most-overlooked-traffic-builders-for-non-blog-businesses/236#236 David Krug 2009-12-20T07:41:41Z 2009-12-20T07:41:41Z

<p>Another realistic option is PayPerPost and <a href="http://www.magnumvisitors.com" rel="nofollow">Buying Website Traffic</a>. Just ideas and concepts I leveraged when I sold brick and mortar products :) </p>

http://www.gatejumper.net/questions/220/what-are-the-most-overlooked-traffic-builders-for-non-blog-businesses/266#266 Work At Home Income 2009-12-31T03:06:28Z 2009-12-31T03:06:28Z

<p>I would also suggest writing press releases about your business along with the article writing that Nate mentioned above. But ultimately, having a blog with content about your business is I feel a necessity so that you can link to the blog and your website.</p> <p>But I would ask what you consider a "non-blog business"? I actually cannot think of any venue that would be non-blog, you do not have to monetize it to utilize it effectively for you business venture.</p>