Getting your website noticed

consideration of the tips that I have given previously on choosing web hosting solutions.
The honest reality is that the Internet is a no-holds-barred public forum where only the most creative and cunning players take home the bigger piece of the cake.
Getting your website live and running does not automatically mean that traffic or users will stampede to view it.

A very pertinent question that everyone who has a website or who is thinking of putting up one is, “Of all the millions of websites online, why should people visit yours, and come back regularly?”
If you can’t answer this question then you are likely to be the only person visiting your website.

This article is not a panacea to increasing your online traffic but it is suggesting some means to get online traffic.
I will try to help you with the most relevant ways that can attract some new visitors to your site and hopefully glue them to it.
The most important step is to make sure that people can easily find your website via Google and other search engines.

Millions of users are just lazy to peruse through website names they would rather Google a topic and websites with information that is relevant to what they are looking for automatically pop up.
In this instance it is critical to ensure that your website has catchy phrases or words that makes it a hit with such a segment of Internet users.

This can be simply achieved easily through a technique called Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
This is where during your website construction, your programmer writes some popular possible search words and stores them inside your website code, and when search engines are run, those words will be picked and your website will be picked up among the top 10 results if it is well written.

Fill your website with keywords you suspect are pertinent to what people normally look for.
This text should be well organised marked up with HTML tags and should also be used on your page title or top heading.

Besides waiting for a good catch, it will be wiser to actually submit your information to search engines for indexing so that they will store your pages for any future searches and even if you are offline, you are still listed in the search results. These will charge you for such a service though.

You can also look for local directories to submit your information, if you are in the tourism sector in Zimbabwe, then the tourism authority will need to list and link you which will add more visibility to your site hoping that they are already utilising such technologies. Local directories are more relevant for any local search results.

Even after someone visits your website, the first impression is very important and do not let your visitors be put off by the mere sight of your website or because it takes ages to load.

The regular Internet user simply waits 10 seconds for a page to load up, and after that they move on to the next website.
It has to be professional and should have clear directions because users do not have the time to guess their way around your website.
Check your website’s compliance with W3C standards for compatibility with cross browser and cross operating system.

How well your website loads will determine the number of users who are actually browsing it.
Flash images give life to your website but they can also contribute heavily to slowing down your loading speed if not carefully structured.
Do not trouble your family or friends by constantly reminding them to visit your website but rather be more creative and start marketing your website.

Twitter is one place you can have prospective clients and mix of people with diverse tests.
Zimbabwean Facebook users are largely a disappointing lot because they do not spare a thought for commercialising or responding to an advert, while they chat their life out.

On the other hand, Facebook is too social, better results can be achieved with Twitter where most serious Zimbos network.
Get your website linked to other people’s websites, advertise with banners, exchange links with people in same field, this will make users on different website get to know about you easily.

When you send emails out to your fans always include your website as part of your signature.
It should be easy for anyone to find links to your website. Get your web address known in the marketplace and in people’s heads, dare to be different, get your URL address in the marketplace and in people’s heads.

Sitemap is an important factor from the SEO quotient. So always submit the correct sitemap to the search engines also checking the Meta Tags is really important, search engines pick the data only from the Meta tags and also remember to submit your site to DMOZ.org
Your website cannot be like your local general store, it is unhealthy to try and behave like a shelf company, which basically deals with everything for everyone. Jack of all trades and master of none on a single website creates noise.

You will need to create a niche market, which is specifically providing a solution to a certain problem.
Your visitors should feel that you are the right website to provide pertinent solutions to their needs, and be the best in that field.
Certainly you should expect them to come back and be associated with you before they even a recommend it to their friends.

RSS feeds is a technology that sends you continuous emails with updates of relevant information requested by your web users, these will create a relationship with your readers and save them the stress of keeping updated by Google searches.
Find quality and relevant blogs and leave a comment with a link to your website. Be vigorous about online presents. On your Contact Page ask people if they mind receiving your newsletter.

Article marketing is where you can even write about different facets of your site very briefly and then link that short article to your website where they can get even more information on a specific topic.
If you are serious enough, start a blog about a certain topic, write articles about it or even books and link your website in them.

That is a sure way to give a professional impression. Search engines like ezinearticles.com and about.com, submit your articles there.
Find some freebies like books, software downloads, tips, Ecards, consider making a podcast or videocast, most people want the free prefix on most items even if they have always been free.

This keeps your users happy and more likely to return. This is not only a nice gesture but also keeps your website address firmly imprinted in their mind.
Listen to your users and give them a platform for feedback. Knowing how users use your site is vital.
This allows you to target their needs better. The best way is to keep a close eye on your analytic data, check what country or area your viewers are from, what search terms are working well for you and what sites are giving you the best referrals. This can be easily achieved via heat maps.

Offer consultation service, which can be done via the Internet, over the phone, or in person.
You can provide this service to individuals, groups, or businesses with the power of Skype and a web cam or online chats.
Give your site a boost by adding widgets to it so that you enhance the user experience with news feeds, blogs, tweets, widgets, delicious links, diggs and stumble upon links.

Facebook like button and Twitter links are the best ways to make your website go public
Finally, market offline, print out fliers, issue press releases, forums or message boards, do your own marketing.
Dish out T-shirts, caps, pens, bags, folders and other items sporting your website address.
Networking events can also be a fun but effective way to promote your website, keep your ears to the ground and attend them regularly, sponsor them and place your biggest banner at the most convenient place.

Armed with your business cards, you are sure to meet someone who is interested in your services who knows someone else for referral purposes and before you even know it your website will be very popular.
Business may take time to establish and with some patience and persistence you will surely prevail, because online traffic is not all about popularity, but rather your website

can now be used to make money for you.