This article is going to make a few assumptions right at the start, so lets set up our opening scenario and you can take it from there.

Assumption: You have a website, either professionally designed, or done by yourself. It doesn't matter.

Assumption: No promotional effort has been made on your behalf, either by your designer, yourself or a paid promotional company.

Assumption: You want to tell the world about your site.

The web site is done. Or is it?

You've slaved over your design, you've tweaked, and fiddled and you're finally happy with your website. But the real question is.... is it really finished? Its important when designing your site that you don't succumb to that feeling of "oh well, this will do for now".

To make it easier on you, we've provided a simple list below for you to check your site against.

You know your website is done if....

Offline Promotional Methods:

Promoting your website offline is something that many people tend to overlook. How anyone can spend tons of money promoting the site online and forget to promote it offline is amazing.

You should make sure your URL is printed on;

All Stationary
Any Stamps you use
Business cards
Flyers and or handouts
Any print advertising, i.e. newspaper ads

Consider a sign for your vehicle, staples has excellent prices on magnetic signs. If your business is strictly local, you might want to consider radio advertising, and if you do, be sure they include your URL.

In conclusion:

Promoting your website doesn't have to cost you a small fortune. But you need to plan the effort and stick to techniques that work. While you may not be spending money, your time is money, and wasting time with techniques that don't work might as well be burning money.

Promotion shouldn't be rocket science, and it isn't. But if you don't know where to start, it can seem to be a truly daunting proposition. Hopefully this article will have given you a head start on your promotional effort.

- Northern Webs