When you're a business and you have a website, you may think it's enough to put the URL on your business cards and stationery; however, that's not the case. website promotion is one of the easiest and least expensive methods of advertising your products and services, and it should be done on a regular basis.

The very least expensive way to promote your website is to increase your search engine page ranks. Write a page title that is relevant to your business, but also carries keywords that people looking for your type of service would search for. If you sell felt baby booties, put that in your page title. The same goes for your site description and header tags; and always put keywords in the first paragraph of text on your page.

Also, when trying to increase your page rankings for the sake of website promotion, make sure that your site is user-friendly. The three major search engines unanimously agree that they prefer user-friendly sites over those with all the bells and whistles. After you're done making it user-friendly, promote it by submitting your URL to all the major search engines. Last but not least, fine tune your content with the help of software that can compare your keywords and page rank to those of your competitors.

Use linking strategies. Again, this is a great way to promote your website. Submit your URL to industry-related sites and specialized directories that are honed in on your area of expertise. Write articles about what you know and promote your website through the 'author box.' When you feel it's appropriate, request reciprocal links from websites that offer services that compliment what you offer; you will have better luck with smaller sites as the webmasters for larger sites are usually too busy to bother with reciprocals.

With all this talk about online submissions and directories, it's easy to forget that tried and true methods also work. So, yes, go ahead and put that URL on any piece of paper that a customer might touch. If you've found print advertising that has worked for you, continue to use it; the old adage is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Additionally, look for small, local newspapers or fliers where you can publish a small advertisement for minimal money.

Email everyone you can think of, just to say "hello!" Make sure that your website address is at the bottom in your signature line. While you're at it, generate your own monthly newsletter to send out to potential and current customers that have already visited your website. You can promote your website and any new content in each mailing, along with providing your customers with useful information and articles they can use. There are many different listservers out there that you can use to distribute this monthly ezine.

Do not, under any circumstance, spam people's inboxes. Although it is sometimes tempting when you want to get the word out to as many people as possible, you will pay a hefty price by ruining your reputation. Instead, rent targeted email lists. These are lists of people that have agreed to receive commercial email messages. If you think about it, you've probably even checked a box that says "Please send me email messages from carefully screened partners" or something to that nature when shopping at a website. First test out a small list; if it leads to success, go ahead a purchase a larger one.

website promotion is a critical element to marketing and growing your business. It takes time to develop a steady and loyal stream of visitors and customers; however, if you are persistent in your promotion, you will see your traffic increase over time. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!