You built a website and now it needs visitors. Did you know that you can drive traffic to your website without spending a cent? Below are places that offer a free way to market your business and provide a link back to your website or online store.
Ecommerce & Coupons
If you regularly offer discounts or run promotions, you can share them on coupon and deal sites. You can manually submit coupon codes or deals on these websites for free.
Claim Your Location
The Internet is a big place. Take advantage of location-based listings to make it feel a little smaller. If you have a physical shop or office, you can claim that location on multiple services.Claiming your location gives you the ability to respond to customer reviews. Tools like Site Booster also offer free versions to help you create listing across multiple map and review sites.
Other Local Opportunities
Your local television station or community events calendar may offer free listings or classified ads to local businesses. If you're already a member of the Chamber of Commerce or a utility co-op, you may have access to additional online listing opportunities or print publications. Here are some other options:
Review Sites
Chances are good you've used at least one of these services below to read reviews and learn more about a business. Did you also know basic business listings are free? Once you've claimed your location, you will have access to update your business information and respond to customer reviews. Some sites offer additional features and services for no additional cost once you've claimed your business listing.
Content Marketing
You can re-purpose existing content or create fresh content to share on one of these platforms listed below. Consider hiring a professional writer to create content (if you don't already).
Social Media
You can use social media to share links to new or existing website content. Social media can also be used to announce new products and services. Use each medium as appropriate for your website's brand. For example, if you're trying to reach a large, general audience Facebook may be your best bet. If your content is image focused, try Instagram.
Press Release Distribution
Newsworthy announcements about your business or its services can be distributed via press release. You can submit your press release to one of these services for free. Distribution to journalists typically costs extra.
Content Aggregation
Aggregate your content with one of these aggregators. You can curate content created by others and combine with your own to create a sharable custom publication.
Email Marketing
Building an email list requires time and patience. Add a subscription form to your website to give visitors the opportunity to subscribe from any page. Use a tablet device at events to give booth visitors the opportunity sign up. Consider creating a list segment for each event you attend. You can even offer incentives to new subscribers.
Log in or signup and start advertising you business for free today!
If you regularly offer discounts or run promotions, you can share them on coupon and deal sites. You can manually submit coupon codes or deals on these websites for free.
Claim Your Location
The Internet is a big place. Take advantage of location-based listings to make it feel a little smaller. If you have a physical shop or office, you can claim that location on multiple services.Claiming your location gives you the ability to respond to customer reviews. Tools like Site Booster also offer free versions to help you create listing across multiple map and review sites.
Other Local Opportunities
Your local television station or community events calendar may offer free listings or classified ads to local businesses. If you're already a member of the Chamber of Commerce or a utility co-op, you may have access to additional online listing opportunities or print publications. Here are some other options:
- TV station websites with classified ads
- Utility Co-Op Magazine or other publication (generally reserved for members only)
- Community event calendar or Chamber of Commerce Member Events (such as a Business Expo)
Review Sites
Chances are good you've used at least one of these services below to read reviews and learn more about a business. Did you also know basic business listings are free? Once you've claimed your location, you will have access to update your business information and respond to customer reviews. Some sites offer additional features and services for no additional cost once you've claimed your business listing.
- Yelp
- TripAdvisor
- Four Square
- Zomato (formerly Urban Spoon)
Content Marketing
You can re-purpose existing content or create fresh content to share on one of these platforms listed below. Consider hiring a professional writer to create content (if you don't already).
- Slide Share
- YouTube
- Medium (repost or create special content)
- LinkedIn Pulse
Social Media
You can use social media to share links to new or existing website content. Social media can also be used to announce new products and services. Use each medium as appropriate for your website's brand. For example, if you're trying to reach a large, general audience Facebook may be your best bet. If your content is image focused, try Instagram.
Press Release Distribution
Newsworthy announcements about your business or its services can be distributed via press release. You can submit your press release to one of these services for free. Distribution to journalists typically costs extra.
Content Aggregation
Aggregate your content with one of these aggregators. You can curate content created by others and combine with your own to create a sharable custom publication.
Email Marketing
Building an email list requires time and patience. Add a subscription form to your website to give visitors the opportunity to subscribe from any page. Use a tablet device at events to give booth visitors the opportunity sign up. Consider creating a list segment for each event you attend. You can even offer incentives to new subscribers.
Log in or signup and start advertising you business for free today!
Michelle Greenlee Michelle is a web developer and freelance writer. She covers enterprise technology, big data, security, and website development.
