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Surfers are a selfish lot - they all want to win something (including me)! Why not let them? A suitable joint venture, affiliate program or just something you can offer as a prize will do it. Find more information about online competitions at:

• http://www.loquax.co.uk/webmaster/

• http://contests.about.com/shopping/contests/mpboards.htm

This is Hotmails fault (but I keep on returning!). Now there are plenty of ways to create your own free web-based e-mail system, with your own web-address too. Why not visit

• http://www.bigmailbox.com

• http://www.everyone.net

I admit it, Im one of the few that buy online!! You probably do too. Did you know that there are many, many ways of running your own virtual store. The easiest way, though, is to build a collection of affiliate links (not just banner ads!) that your site visitors will really appreciate...

We all like freebies, and even visit sites that only contain LINKS to freebie-sites. Well, now its possible to put free downloads etc on your site. Visit this site for an example

• http://subportal.iboost.com/subportals.html

Submitting your site to search engines is a must, when it comes to getting visitors to your site. Rather than going on about meta tags, keywords, doorway pages, etc., Ill just point you to these excellent resources

• http://www.searchengines.com/ - All about search engines

• http://www.jimtools.com - Submit your site tool

Links to your site get you noticed; links to your site build trust; AND links to your site improve your ranking on search engines. So swap links with similar sites, and create a "Links" page. Or just visit these sites for more ideas

• http://www.linkme.com/

• http://www.reciprocallink.com

This could also be because I saw the site address in a magazine or a newspaper. How did that address get to be in the newspaper or e-mail? Probably because someone submitted a press release to the editor of the magazine, newspaper, or ezine. Most news is created via a press release or publicity stunt. Dr Nunley knows all about publicity and PR

• http://drnunley.com

"Bookmark my site!" Does your site exclaim this? Do you ask visitors to "Add this site to your favorites!" You should do. You can get a simple bit of JavaScript that will do both for you dependent on your visitors browser. Find a script here

• http://java-scripts.iboost.com/

You see those links on a site that say: "Like our site? Tell a friend!" Well, it works. People like to recommend a great site to their friends - they gain kudos, respect. So why not make it easy for them to recommend YOUR site to THEIR friends! You can set up a recommend service yourself by using a free Perl/ CGI script, or let another site provide the service (for free):

• http://www.bignosebird.com (script called birdcast)

• http://www.recommend-it.com (offers competitions)

• http://www.letemknow.com (you dont lose traffic)

This is a killer reason to visit any web site. You meet others that share your interest, and you swap information and ideas. Message boards, forums, online communities, they all generate a great deal of traffic; traffic that returns again and again. Community-building tools are free, but you will need to promote heavily to get your community started, and you will need to consider just how you go about moderating the discussions.

• http://www.coolboard.com/

• http://www.boardhost.com/

• http://www.everyone.net/main/html/community_tour.html

I subscribe to many newsletters to find out about free offers, competitions, price updates; or just to act as a reminder to visit that site. (I only subscribe if Im confident my e-mail is safe from spam, mind - I always look for a privacy statement of some kind.) A newsletter provides you with an excellent opportunity to stay in touch with your site visitors; a great newsletter even encourages new visitors. Use these tools:

• http://www.topica.com (Free service)

• http://www.lyris.com (Professional service)

• http://www.bignosebird.com (Do it yourself Perl/CGI script)

Now where did I did see that URL? Was it on someones T-shirt, or on the side of a car? Was it on a letterhead or business card? Was it on a tie-pin or broach? Was it on a computers screen-saver, or an electronic Christmas card? Was it on a bill-board or on TV? Was it on a restaurants guest book(!)... Okay, okay, Ill stop there! But you get the idea!

(Oh! And dont forget your e-mail signature files!)

Affiliate programs are great, and if you sell a product on- line you should *seriously* think of running one (if you dont already). Affiliates help spread the word about your site; they also improve sales; AND - remember this! - they keep on re-visiting your site to check just how much money theyve made! You win, and your affiliates win too (with improved site-content, and earnings)! For further advice:

Thats your lot. Next time, well look at writing articles, banner exchanges, web resources, playing games and more!

Thanks,

About The Author

Steve Nash is webmaster at http://www.taurus-graphics.net - website hosting, design and promotion at prices YOU can afford. He also edits the newsletter Promote! Promote! Promote! - great ways to promote and grow your business, online!