So you’ve launched your website and it’s time to open the floodgates and get the traffic flowing.

Online advertising is an important task in your online marketing efforts. Before you go out looking for paid advertising opportunities it can be useful to test the water with free online advertising methods.

When using free opportunities other websites provide, you should try to respect the fact that they are looking for contributions of quality content that will keep their visitors interested and not blatant advertising.

1. Online Classifieds

There is an abundance of free online classified websites on the internet. Most are open to all types of ads from all around the world, whilst others are topic-specific (eg. auto related ads) and others are region specific.

Classified ads typically expire after a period and not all online classifieds allow you to link to your website, so it is important to include your website address. Many online classifieds also allow you to upload pictures. Ads with pictures are more likely to grab the attention of a browser. Also be sure to give your ad an appealing headline, file it in the most appropriate category and a category that would attract the people you are looking for.

The content of your ad should not be so long and drawn out that the reader loses interest, but remember also that online classifieds are different from print classifieds – don’t write in telegraph style either.

2. Article Submission

People search the net for information before searching for a product to purchase. An article that gives useful information or tips and advice on a solution to what the reader is trying to achieve can be a very effective way in exposing your solution.

Before going right ahead and recommending your product as the solution, its important that you first gain the trust of the reader by satisfying them with answers to their questions. Your solution should be the action they take after finding out what the solution is. At the end of the article, remember to cue the visitor to take the action by describing your solution and linking to your website.

Article directories are all over the web and are used not only by end-users, but also by newsletter and website content editors looking for quality content to offer their readers. Thus, article submission is one of the most effective free online ‘advertising’ methods in the long run. Most article directories are free.

3. Press Release Submission

Similarly to article directories, press release directories are also wide-spread on the internet. With press releases you can be somewhat more blunt in endorsing and bragging about your own product. Press releases are more like news stories than articles, which are more like tutorials.

4. Link Exchanges

While no longer being a highly recommended strategy (due to expressed resistance by Google), exchanging traffic with a site that offers complimentary content / solutions can be positive in that your visitors may appreciate the fact that you are helping them satisfy another of their needs, and if the site you are exchanging links with gets a lot of traffic that may be interested in what you offer, it may bring some business your way. Be careful when selecting a link partner – you could be perceived as endorsing their product, so don’t link to just anyone!

5. Forum Discussions

Discussion forums offer a great platform for engaging directly with your potential customers. Remember that people use forums for answers to questions, not blatant advertising. Find ways to engage in conversation and gain the trust of the users, before proposing what you offer as a solution. Include a link to your website in your signature, which will appear at the end of each of your posts.

6. Free Website Directories

Web directories are also in abundance on the web, and whilst the most effective ones will charge a fee, there are many free directories on that can give you a significant amount of exposure and potential leads. A directory will typically ask for your company name, a description / profile, a category and your website address. Try to use different descriptions for different directories, considering the types of people that will be using it. Web directories are often also specialized, often either industry-specific, focusing on a niche topic or region-specific. Some web directories also invite users to submit articles or press releases

An example of a free web directory is Simply Links, which is simply a South African web directory of South African websites and articles.

Give free online advertising a try!