getting that first click - stuck again

webdev · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 03:28 PM

So, i have a non-content web-service based website which i developed (picmage). Now, i want to promote it and hopefully start getting that much needed traffic. But where do i start? I'm just so confused and lost. How do i get traffic? Submitting in good directories for a fee? But will they accept my website? For some reason i feel that i will be rejected. I can do link exchanges but that would be so hard at this point because first i don't know where to go look for sites to do link exchange, second hardly any reasonable site will accept my link, third it is such a long and tedious process. How about social networking sites like myspace? Anyone know how i can post a link to my website there? I have never used myspace. How did you first promoting your website?

p.s. i know i have discussed this topic so many times here...lol but i just don't seem to get it when it comes to getting traffic. I'm just so lost. I think i need someone to walk me through this process.

webdev · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 07:00 PM

I think i found a solution to promoting my site (well its a starting point). I was happy to see DMOZ has a section dedicated to Image Hosting sites where you can submitted your site. I went ahead and submitted my site there

I'm sure other free directories probably have a similar section like this as well. I just need to look around

lisa · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 07:44 PM

Hey Webdev,

DMOZ is so iffy these days. Sometimes they list you, sometimes they don't. I still don't have my SBI site listed there after nearly 2 years, but the good news is it still gets a lot of traffic. So it's proof it's not an absolute necessity anymore.

One way I think my SBI! site got so much traffic was through submitting articles to http://www.strongestlinks.com/directories.php. That's a good way to start getting your link out there because you can put it into your sig file of every article.

I don't think there's one set path you have to take... just try a combination of everything. Submit articles to ezinearticles.com, look for related sites and ask for an exchange. Submit to the directories here http://www.strongestlinks.com/directories.php (I have to admit I did pay for a few listings. Gimpsy was one. I can't remember the others I paid for.) Just go down the list and start with as many free ones as you can find to submit to.

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 07:45 PM

Oh and last but not least, it takes time. But you definitely have to keep building and building and building and make sure each and every page adds to the overall theme of your site in terms of keyword mentions.

ppcFanatic · #5 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 10:37 PM

The one red flag I see with your pic flight is that it's way too small for organic SE traffic. Who are you targeting on that site? What kinds of keywords would they be searching for? What else would people want to upload their photos be looking for? Build more functionality and helpful content around these topics.

Put yourself into the minds of a potential visitor. What other neat features can you add to that to make it stand out more? Since that is a functionality site it will be difficult to add more content so you are going to have to rely on word of mouth traffic.

Someone needs to find your site and be like "Wow! use this site instead of (a more popular site) because..... I'm going to forward it to my friends."

As Lisa said you could write ezinearticles on various pic uploading topics and advertise your site in your sig file. What can you teach people about pic uploading? Surely you know something. I know people that clean up on writing those ezinearticles. Google LOVES that site and sees a link from them as pretty good quality.

lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 05-01-2007, 11:13 PM

Good points ppcfanatic,

Here's an idea of what you can do, Webdev. We keep pushing ezinearticles.com right? OK, first let's break it down to people you are targeting...

1) Myspace users
2) Bloggers
3) People without a web host

Let's start with MySpace users.

Ezinearticles has a category for social networking sites...
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?cat=In...ial-Networking

Think of a topic you could write about that will help MySpace users and then find a way to work in a RELEVANT mention to your pic upload site. Ezinearticles will actually let you link to your own site in your article (read their rules before submitting)

Writing articles is one of the fastest ways to start getting traffic but you have to do it regularly and be somewhat creative about the topics you choose.

For example for my flat stomach site, I just submitted an article today about the connection between self esteem and weight loss. This is one of many articles I've submitted at ezinearticles. One article I have there has gotten 38,000 views and 28 people have published it in their ezine (ezinearticles reports your article stats so you know how many views it's getting.) Over time little things like this start to build your traffic.. But you can't just do one article. Keep doing it.

And if you don't like to write, your articles don't have to be very long and drawn out. The minimum is only like 250 characters. So it can be very brief but make it useful so people will want to link to it from their ezines. Don't just write junk.

What can you talk about related to picture uploading that would make other webmasters want to use your article?

And if you do plug your site in your article (and not just your sig) be careful it doesn't come off as too self promotional or they'll make you take it out.

When you have a small site like that with very little content you are going to have to come up with some creative ways to advertise it. Submitting articles is a great way to start.

Notice a theme here? It always comes back to writing content doesn't it?

No matter how you look at it you have to do it whether you're adding it to your site or using article submission sites.

webdev · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 10:45 AM

WOW! Guys thanks again for putting the time to reply to my thread. I'm compiling a "to do list" for promoting my site. Things to do. I gonna put the steps you guys laid out in there as well. I think i need to step back and take it one step at a time. Having a list of "to do" things and going through them will make the process easy for me and take off the pressure.

As for more features, i have few unique things that other websites don't have in mind that im working on. Im excited about that as well.

#8 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 12:18 PM

Cool site, webdev. I'd certainly use it.

#9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 02:56 PM

try submitting it to google?

#10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 02:57 PM

also you have a wicked site! do you have your own server?

webdev · #11 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 03:04 PM

Thanks.

NOT yet. But that is the plan IF the site takes off because the server i have now wouldn't be able to handles lot of traffic.

#12 (**permalink**) 05-03-2007, 03:08 PM

awsome hope all goes well then keep us updated!

webdev · #13 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 11:04 AM

so it looks like google and msn has index my site now (picmage). So im happy about that. I submitted my site to dmoz but im waiting for them to list it. However, im skeptical about that they will..lol. Also, as ppcFanatic mentioned, adding unique features to the site is very important. Today i added a image resizing tool. Another cool tool im working on is image conversion, where the user be able to convert their images from one format to the another. At the same time, im looking for places like forums, sites where people can use my tool and be helpful to them.

lisa · #14 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 12:24 PM

Great! MSN is usually the first engine to pick you up.

Yeah I'm still waiting for DMOZ to index this forum. I'm not holding my breath, though.

But I did go ahead and submit to Yahoo's paid directory. I figure it's a tax write-off and plus it's a great inbound link for Google to see... especially since I just made these forum threads SEO friendly. So we'll see.

webdev · #15 (**permalink**) 05-06-2007, 01:17 PM

i would love to know how much traffic you will get from yahoo directory to this forums and also how much weightage google will give you for having a link in yahoo directory. I always wonder, if paid inclusion directories are worth it. If yea, i will give it a try to but probably not yahoo because $299 way too much.

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