If you’re strapped for cash to spend on marketing your business, head to the Web. Though there are plenty of ways to lose cash promoting your business online, if you know where to look you can save money and spread the word for next to nothing. Check out Open Forum’s seven ways to market your business online for free.
1. Register with online listing services
Fill out a form and get your business verified using Google Places, which will make your business easier to find in searches and promote it on Google Maps. Yahoo! and Bing both have databases of businesses that take only minutes to apply for.
2. Embrace social media
Use social media to promote your business by offering incentives to visitors on your Facebook page or communicating directly with your customers on Twitter.
3. Get blogging
Keep a regular blog to get your company’s name out there and connect with your customers be it to share news or through comments.
4. Upload multimedia
YouTube and Flickr provide free ways to distribute creative videos, advertisements, and photos for your business.
5. Make your site Google friendly
Make sure your company’s website is as search engine friendly as possible with SEO. There are plenty of online guides and books to help you get started.
6. Send press releases
Send a press release to media outlets when your company does something new or newsworthy, or sign up for distribution websites such as PRLog and 24/7 Press Release.
7. Be active in an online community
Post as much as possible in a niche online community to build rapport, but keep your business out of it. Mention it only when it’s applicable and passively promote it by putting your website’s link in your signature.
Read more at Open Forum.
