It makes no difference what you do online. In order to realize sales or service

you must have traffic actual visitors to your website.

You have probably heard this over and over again and it's true. There are

numerous ways of getting traffic to a website however remember Murphy's Law,

"everyone has a scheme for getting rich that will not work".

This also describes ninety percent of the Internet.

Very often it's easy to become discouraged by information overload found on the

Internet. It seems like it never ends, and to try and sort out what is real and

what is not is a daunting task. Where do you start? Here are ten tips to

consider.

1. A properly designed website.

Your website must be ecommerce ready which includes a sign up box with an

autoresponder. The money is in the list. Quite often this is overlooked.

Give our visitors the opportunity to sign up for a newsletter or special

offers you may have. As more people learn about the value of your product

or service and they share this knowledge with others, you will establish a

loyal stream of traffic that can provide you with more traffic through

recommendations. If you arouse the curiosity of your customers they will

be pushed to help you with your traffic.

2. Search engine optimization (SEO).

A properly optimized website will begin to improve search engine rankings and

bring you traffic. Either do it yourself with software you find online or have

it done, this includes correct long tail keywords.

3. Submit your website to search engines and directories.

There are approximately 500000 directories and search engines on the Internet.

You can find directory listing software online or there are many services out

there that can do it for you.

4. Pay per click (PPC)

Pay per click such as Google Adwords and Yahoos Overture can be expensive and

you must learn before you invest, however this is an excellent source of traffic.

5. Correct Backlinks

Search engines give great importance and boost your rankings when other websites

connect to yours and they carry similar content as your website. By exchanging

links with other sites, both of you will benefit from each other's efforts to

enhance your sites traffic. When one-site features another sites link both sites

benefit from the traffic generated by each of them. The more links traded with

more sites the more traffic could be expected.

6. Article submission

This is a key element for traffic and if you can write original content of value

the world will beat a path to your doorstep. Everyone has knowledge of

something, when you identify yours and challenge yourself you will be amazed.

There are several article submission software companies online that you can

evaluate.

7. Viral marketing

This is a low cost or no cost technique, which allows you to spread the word

about your company and product. Be creative with this marketing method: you

can attach your company's name, product or link to a certain media such as a

funny video, entertaining game, an interesting article or a gossip or buzz.

With this method, people get infected with the creativity and entertainment of

the medium and they will pass it on to many people.

8. Join forums

Online communities capture a market and show your expertise and credibility.

When you establish a good foundation for your site, people will trust you and

your site and will pass on to many people their trust. Traffic will certainly

increase because they know that you can provide what they need.

9. Opt-in email

E-mail campaigns with a targeted list can sometimes get a 2 to 3 % response.

Do some research of different opt-in companies before choosing. Some offer

guaranteed delivery and tracking capabilities. Also do a small test run and

make sure you have a great subject line and a compelling message.

10. Membership websites

I have been involved in the online marketing of a wide variety of different

products and services for the past 16 years and this is a tip I highly suggest

you check out. Recently there has appeared membership websites such as Internet

Market Quest established by people who have years of experience. These websites

offer guidance and solid information that are a huge short cut to online

success and can save both money and time. It's easy to determine if they are

good, look for a winning track record.

Working online has been both the greatest challenge and the most rewarding

experience in my life. If you do not have challenges in your life you

will not grow both as a human and a business person. That being said -

do not give up. It's worth it.