This is a question that we get asked a lot on Motherswhowork.co.uk, and the answer remains the same…no customers and no traffic equal no sales and no business!
But many people expect to start seeing money as soon as they launch their new website – just because it’s online…often not realising that it takes a little while before you can start to see that kind of traffic. So, you have to start generating it in other ways:
1. The power of search engine advertising
Advertising in Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines are a surefire way to bring paying customers to your website…the only downside is that you have to pay for the traffic, but if you’re smart with your keyword bidding, you’ll always make a healthy profit.
To get you started with Google Adwords, all you have to do is spend a few minutes signing up to Google Adwords.
Join the Mothers Who Work Club today and you’ll gain access to tutorials on setting up your Google Adwords campaigns, and much more.
We have a range of tutorials to help you maximise Google Adwords and make advertising pay for itself.
2. Use the online versions advertising channels
Remember the days when your first stop for anything would be The Yellow Pages? Well many of your customers will be using the online version of it, too (Yell.com) – and you can list your business on it for free – just go to: http://marketing.yell.com/products/yell-free-listing/
Be sure to do the same on Thomson Local and BT Business, too.
3. Google Places
Google Places is a must for local businesses. For free, you get to tell Google a lot more about your business, add your website link, contact details and even your opening hours.
Unlike the other options listed above, the registration process takes a lot longer because you have to wait a few days for a postcard to be sent to your business address to verify who you are. But this is definitely worth the wait, especially if your business is locally based, as when someone searches for your expertise in your area (e.g. beauty therapist in Maidstone), you’ll be high up on the search results page, if not first place.
4. Social media
It goes without saying that the closer you can get to your customers the better. And if they aren’t looking for your services right away, social media makes it even easier for them to spread the word about your business to friends, relatives and colleagues who are. So, make sure you get a Facebook fan page set up, and a Twitter profile. LinkedIn is also great for making business contacts, so don’t forget to put your details up there, too.
The newest social network kid on the block is Pinterest
Pinterest is a great platform for all the creative mums out there, as it gives you a chance to show off your creations in pictures and videos in a way that the other social media platforms don’t. Whether it’s handmade jewellery, soft furnishings or natural beauty tips you’ll start to see a lot of traction if you have something, useful, cool and unusual to share.
