Setting up a website is easy enough. But you must also learn how to promote the site. Otherwise, it's just a great looking site sitting there with no visitors. Without web visitors, you are definitely not going to make any sales.

One way to drive long term traffic is by using a method known as SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

What is SEO?

SEO consists of two important components - on-site SEO and off-site SEO. On-site SEO is the easy part. You can make a few simple tweaks on your site and the pages will rank better in the search engines. Off-site SEO involved link building. When this method is used correctly, you will be the proud owner of a website that receives a steady stream of traffic on a daily basis.

To cover this topic will require an entire book. But you can easily learn for free just be visiting webmaster forums. Here are 5 benefits when you join and visit a webmaster forum.

Benefit 1: Free advice from experienced Internet Marketers.

Benefit 2: Others will offer encouragement.

Benefit 3: Learning is more fun in a community.

Benefit 4: Learn the latest tricks and tips.

Benefit 5: It's free!

Benefit 1: Free advice from experienced Internet Marketers.

There are many Internet Marketers who have been involved with search engine marketing for years. They are always happy to help newcomers. For similar information, others may have to pay. But when you ask questions in the forum, you get the advice at no charge. So don't be shy. There is no such thing as stupid questions. Everyone starts off as a newcomer. Just fire away and you will be surprised at how supportive the webmaster community is.

Benefit 2: Others will offer encouragement.

When you feel like giving up, just go to the forum and dig up some old threads. Or better still, start your own thread asking for help. Chances are, many fellow webmasters have encountered similar obstacles. And they are always happy to lend a listening ear.

Benefit 3: Learning is more fun in a community.

It's never fun to be learning alone. When you join a community, you will make new friends. With your new found friends, you will then be able to support one another. Set up contests, challenges, etc to make the learning more fun and exciting!

Benefit 4: Learn the latest tricks and tips.

The search engines are always changing their algorithms. So you need to keep yourself updated on the latest changes so that you don't lose your search rankings. Whenever something new pops up, you can be sure that someone will bring it up in the forums. Just stick around and keep learning!

Benefit 5: It's free!

Of course, the best part is, you get all the above benefits for free. But since it's a community, be sure to give back when you become successful. That's how things work online.