Easy, Low-Cost Ways to Increase Your Website Hits, Gain Exposure, and Grab Internet Sales!

With billions of websites for users to choose from, it's a daunting task to persuade people to visit yours. Exposure is key to any developing Internet-based business, but targeting the right audience is paramount too, along with having your message heard through the multitude of advertisement already out there.

If you are a small business with little capital available for high profile advertising campaigns, gaining exposure and growing clientele may seem utterly impossible.

Don't throw in the towel just yet. There are a number of low-cost alternatives available to you. Take advantage of these frugal alternatives and you'll soon see your orders expanding.

First and foremost: Define Your Audience. If you sell feminine beauty products, you'll gain little mileage by handing out your business cards to a men's health club. A few may be interested in stopping by for presents for their significant others, but the time and dollar investment in targeting the wrong audience may not give you enough paypack.

Create Business Cards. Yes, even if your business is predominantly web based, it's a good idea to have business cards available and ready to hand out at all times. Be sure your website is the focal point of the card and that it is representative of the product you are selling.

Utilize the back of the card to list off benefits of your service, special features, or coupons to entice new customers to visit. There are numerous online print services where you'll find low-cost business quality cards, or consider printing your own at home with specialty papers.

Speak at Local Clubs. Offer to speak about topics pertinent to your audience that tie in with your product. Perhaps your local Mom's Club would love to hear about how to start an internet business, or your daughter's school is seeking parents for career day. Find creative ways to sneak in a word or two about your product and be sure to have handouts, goodies, or business cards available to pass out to interested audience members.

Newspaper Articles. Contact your local paper with information about your upcoming events, charity work, or general interest information that may be suitable for an article or free listing in the classifieds. Remember that even though your business is Internet based, you are still a local entrepreneur.

Also, learn to write a press release and your local reporters will thank you for it. By handing over a pre-written release, it's very easy for your newspaper to insert the story.

Consider Cooperative Internet Ads. Many websites offer cooperative advertising, meaning if you advertise their business on your website, they'll advertise yours. If their business is legit and their audience falls within your target audience, this is a win-win situation.

Involve Your Local Businesses. If your target audience is male golfers, ask your local barbers, sporting goods stores, gyms, and other male-friendly businesses if you can display business cards, flyers, or other materials for their customers. Consider offering the employees of the business a discount on your service or product in exchange. If they are happy clients, they'll be more prone to direct their customers to you.

List Your Website. Be sure to list your business and website with search engines, Yellow Pages, and every available free service. Make it easy for people to find you.

Jump on the Blog Bandwagon. Blogs are free and crazy popular these days. Offer your customers a little extra by blogging tips, new product information, or other relevant items. Blogs also pull in high hits from search engines, so you may gain new customers you wouldn't have reached otherwise.

Build an Email Mailing List. Offer a newsletter or special coupons to your customers exclusively through email. Utilize this marketing method sparingly as a way to keep in touch with your clientele on a monthly basis, but not to overwhelm them. Just be certain each email offers something to your customers that they can use or that they need. Otherwise you will run the risk of being shuffled to their spam folder.

Consider using postcards. An inexpensive mailer, postcards can offer a nice way to say "thank you" to your clients, or to promote specials to entice repeat business.

Encourage Word of Mouth. The most effective form of promotion can also be the least expensive. Enlist your family, friends, and neighbors to help spread the word about your business. Offer them business cards or promotional materials to hand out with your website information.

Speak enthusiastically and intelligently about your product or service wherever you go and others will be sure to pick up on the positive vibe too.

Purchase Pens and Pencils to Hand Out. Be sure to have your website imprinted on them and a simple statement or slogan pertaining to your business. Everyone is always looking for a pen and they often transfer ownership, thereby expanding your advertising opportunities. Best of all you can purchase large quantities for a very low cost. Include a pen or pencil in our shipments (if applicable.) Your customers will love the extra freebie and chances are it will be seen by other potential customers, as well.

Consider OfferingSchool Fund-raisers. If your product or service can be utilized for fund-raising purposes, get in touch with your children's teachers or coaches to see if they might be interested in fund-raising opportunities. Sure, you have to share the profit with them, but the exposure, extra business, and community goodwill will more than compensate for your low profit margin.

Join Special Interest Forums. There's a forum on the Internet for just about every interest you can think of. Participate in forums that match your special interests and those that are relevant to your business. Many of these will be great places to learn new ideas and to tap into the needs of your clients.

Don't use the forum to advertise, but do have your website present in your tag line or profile, so that members who may be interested in your products will be able to easily find your business.

Above all, don't be afraid to think outside the box and you'll continue to find low-cost advertisement opportunities are all around you!