No Cost Search Engine Marketing

As a matter of fact, I recommend NOT wasting money on pay inclusion in
most cases because it doesn't offer enough of an advantage (and many
times the fees give you absolutely no advantage - the only exception are
the few sites that guarantee placement within a specific timeline). Focus
your online marketing and gain positive and targeted traffic without
paying out for "expedited listings" or "submission software."

Submission software can appear to save time and effort, but in all reality,
it doesn't...

I suggest to clients that they don't waste their time with submission
software. No matter how good it sounds, honestly, the best way to attain
and maintain strong search engine rankings is with a solid plan, time,
diligence and staying active online. Search engine submission and
optimization is a marketing strategy, and as such is not a one-shot
process.

A plan that works...

The important thing is to use a good, strong and simple approach that
really works and endures through the ever-changing standards in the
search industry. There are some helpful free search engine submission
tools, but the downside is, you get involved in several and you can
duplicate efforts, which not only wastes time, but some engines and
directories could mistake it for spam (I've seen this happen!).

My experience and best advice is, find one helpful free submission tool
site (my personal favorite is SelfPromotion.com (http://
selfpromotion.com/) and use it as a base. Keep a spreadsheet or
submission log, and keep track of when you submit, what your Meta
data/tags say (especially your ranking and core keywords), and note
your rankings. This may sound like work, but really, once you set it up
you will find it is the easiest way to keep from wasting time and it will
help you track when your listings need some attention.

Basics that I recommend to reach a good rank and maintain it:

* Research keywords for your site. Take some time, check out
competitor's sites, keyword lists, etc.

* Write GOOD title and description META tags for every page on your
site. You really need custom META tag info for every page. There are
many sites that will give you good advice on how to write great tag
content. If you use a good submission site, you will find help there.

* Construct a good keyword tag specific to every page.

* Submit your site to every free search engine and directory you can find
that is appropriate for your site...always use the free links because the
paid ones won't give you any advantages (with very few exceptions).

* Be patient...it can take three months or more to become listed by the
"big guys" when you use indexing only.

* Get a jump on the waiting time and use search engine optimization
techniques for your site content, online marketing such as press
releases and circulating free articles, place your site on industry
directories and local business directories online.

* Put your site address (URL) on EVERYTHING. (Well, everything
reasonable and legal)

By using this brief lesson on marketing your site, you can build a strong
marketing base with absolutely no cost whatsoever. And in doing so,
you are gaining in-depth knowledge of your site's target audience, and it
can only help with future marketing. Good luck!

Cherie' Davidson has been working as a Web copywriter, content editor,
press release writer, Web Reviewer and marketing consultant for
several years. Her business, Suitable Words Publications can be found
online at http://www.suitablewords.com . She also has a free content
Website, WritersContent.com (http://www.writerscontent.com), where
you can get great no-cost content for your writing or Web marketing site
and e-zine.

Related articles