HELP! I need to market my website. Where do I start?

I have a great website, but no one knows it exists. I need to optimize it for the search engines, and I would like to get it on an affiliate network so I can get referrals. Does anyone know a trust- worthy company that can help me with this? I have been working with a company since last February, that is supposed to be doing this for me, but they have dropped the ball in a big way. I paid them a lot of money up front, and have yet to see any work done on this. I' am also wondering if anyone knows the average price range for something like this? I believe I grossly over paid... Any advice? Thanks, -Tara

13 Bizniks have posted replies

Posted by Joe Townsend, Redmond, Washington | May 29, 2008

Please contact bWyse Internet marleting in Redmond.

* 425-885-9976

* http://www.bwyse.com

* MSN: june@bwyse.com

They have what it takes. Tell them I sent you. June Bachman is a Biznik member.
Posted by Sonya Neblett, Asheville, North Carolina | May 30, 2008

Hi Tara,

Let's talk! I'm helping another company with a similar issue.

Thanks for the blog shout out! Appreciate your comments.
Posted by Angel Djambazov, Seattle, Washington | Jun 01, 2008

Hi Tara,

Happy to answer your questions over coffee. Integrating into the affiliate industry is an easy step and SEO is really about knowing how your potential customers are trying to find your business. Neither should be an expensive proposition for you to incorporate into your business activity.
Posted by Tara Smith, Seattle, Washington | Jun 02, 2008

Thank you for your helpful comments. I am now doing what I should have done in the first place: talk to several people who have knowledge about this, and do my research! Sadly, the company I paid who has not delivered is refusing to give me a refund. Now, I must seek legal services in order to fight this. What a mess! If you know anyone who can help with that, I would be grateful. Thank you so much Biznik members for your advice! I wish would have found you sooner...
Posted by Kyla Goff, Bellingham, Washington | Jun 04, 2008

Visit my site and list it as a new site....will stay on for 90 days! I am just launching it now, but my #1 gaol is to get as many people there as possible and you can't be listed in to many places.

New Cyber Sites (List yours for free)
Posted by Amy Vercruysse, Seattle, Washington | Jun 06, 2008

Tara, there are tons of marketing websites that have oodles of info on this very topic. Do searches on the following sites, and FYI be prepared to spend at least one full day but given the cost of hiring an outside consultant it should prove well worth it.

Check into: MarketingProfs.com, MarketingSherpa.com and SethGrodin.com for starters. From there, also explore sites and blogs that are relevant to your industry and post comments on their blogs.

Hope that helps and good luck!

I see from your most recent post that you are now trying to recoup from a recent effort that was outsourced. This is so unfortunate and I'm sorry for your trouble, and yet it is so common!

I may post this in a new topic separately, but just know going forward that there are TONS of marketing sites and blogs out there to help. A lot to weed thru, fer sure, but it's worth the time to research before you commit your hard-earned budget.

Best of luck to you!
Posted by Valerie Farris, Edmonds, Washington | Jun 06, 2008

Hi, Tara,

You might also want to check out this thread for other responses to a similar question!

Best,

Valerie Farris

Seattle Small Business Lawyer
Posted by Adrienne Vernon, Tacoma, Washington | Jun 27, 2008

Google Adwords! Amazingly effective. Google offers training seminars in several cities to get you started.

A record you and your business can rely on.
Posted by Kaya Singer, Portland, Oregon | Jun 27, 2008

Tara

I have found that the best way is to write articles every month and put them on any article site you can find. Use key words that you think people will put in a google search and presto your article comes up. If they read it and like it they will check out your website. I get new people going to my site everyday via this method. I am happy to share more if you contact me. Kaya

Small business support, mentor, coach, Portland, Oregon
Posted by Mark Silver, Portland, Oregon | Jul 11, 2008

Hi tara- Sounds like you're getting some great advice. the one thing you are going to hear again and again is what some folks have already talked about- Content.

So, let me just chime in on that- content has been the biggest promoter of our website. Even with great referrals from raving fan clients, having a lot of really solid content distributed helps raving fans send people your way, because they are sending those folks towards content, not a sales pitch.

:)

Can working on your business nourish your heart?
Posted by Susan Tilley, Southern Oregon, Oregon | Jul 19, 2008

Hi Tara,

I took a look at your site and you are right. You need search engine optimization - specifically your title tags (at least to start).

You need to come up with a keyword list of search phrases you think people would use to find someone like you and then put them on your site. Do this first before even thinking about other ways to promote your site.

Get your site listed in Google Local and Yahoo Local. It is Free. If you don't know how, I have an article on my site:

(http://astreetweb.com/aswlist/archive/2008/0801_newsbytes.html)

There are some other problems with your site too - Your marketing message is not that clear - what is it that you are offering? Selling t-shirts? T-shirt design?

But you asked for advice about marketing so I will stop here.

I can help you get your site ready to market and advise you on cost effective marketing techniques. If you have a specific question, feel free to contact me.

Susan
Posted by Jessie Upp, M.S., Edmonds, Washington | Aug 07, 2008

Hi Tara, Although I'm in the same boat as you as I begin a new venture (so exciting!) here are some helpful links I have found:

WordTracker

Google Adwords

Keyword Cloud Tool

I have about 30 more and I'm thinking about writing an article to post them all in the next week...

Good luck and say hi anytime.

~jessie
Posted by Scott Brinkerhoff, Marysville, Washington | Aug 08, 2008

If you are still looking for help let me know. We deal with online and offline promotion and marketing of web sites.