subject: Using Social Media Boosts Website Promotion [print this page] Using Social Media Boosts Website Promotion
There's a reason it is called the "web". Parts of your website will connect with parts of others' websites. Browsers surfing the web will find your site in their searches. Close your eyes and imagine visual "web-threads" linking your site to and from all the connections you want to have all over the Internet universe in the next few years. Amazing vision, isn't it?
So you have to start somewhere. Whether you are just launching a small online business website, expanding one you already have, or creating one to promote your services online, you have to start sending those links out and getting them back to your site. Absolutely every website begins here.
Once you have created and launched your site, there are many ways to link all over the Internet that can effectively drive searchers and visitors to your site. Social media is a "MUST" area in which to promote your links. Now this will not happen overnight. It will be a building process over time, but if you devote a small block of time each day, you will start seeing results over the months and years.
On Facebook you can add a "fan" or business page to your already existing FB personal page. Set it up to look as professional as possible and only post business comments on it. No "watching the baseball game tonight" posts. If you want a completely separate business FB page, create a totally separate account for the business name.
Post RELEVANT business information, sales, products, current projects, or services promotions on Facebook, announcing it to your FB "friends" and asking them to "like" and pass on to their friends. Link your website to this page so site visitors can click back to your FB page. The "threads" have begun!
On Twitter, you are limited to 140 characters in which to make your statement. Again, post RELEVANT business "tweets" with a link back to your website URL. Twitter should be interactive so your business Twitter account should "follow" people and businesses in your field or industry. Then you will get followers back. Weed out the "spammy" ones who follow everyone and are not connected to your business world.
"Reply" to tweets with relevant business comments and "retweet" others' pertinent tweets to spread the words. Keep it social and professional. Tweet articles you write that appear on other websites which pertain to your business and website. Tweet daily about your own information and reply and retweet several times. This doesn't have to take hours of your time. Once you are set up and moving along following and being followed, it will just take a few minutes of your day.
LinkedIn is a business-connection website. Create a powerful and descriptive profile which includes your website URL. You can "connect" to others in your field plus with people you know to get your name and business out there. Join groups with similar interests and business connections but not to promote your website. Joining "groups" is for you to comment on others' ideas and offer ones of your own. You can use this to build credibility in your field.
YouTube is still a super popular way to add video spots to your website and have them posted on YouTube for the world to see. YouTube videos can be related to your business, your field, your product, and your personality to get your face and ideas out there. Don't be shy! Post a 30 second starter one on YouTube and then link it to your business website.
Since these are the most popular social sites to link to, create accounts now on Facebook.com, Twitter.com, LinkedIn.com, and YouTube.com and begin being interactive and social on them, promoting your website.
If you want your business website to operate successfully in this 21st century web-world, social media is quickly becoming THE place to link and create your connections and grab visitors to your site. It is a powerful way to grow your site. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube bring in the biggest draw these days and if you are not posting, you will be left behind.
