The creation of a World Wide Web site is the first step in taking advantage of today's new technology to market your services, products, or other information. However, doing that alone will hardly make the most out of your investment.

The goal is to make your Web Site known to new and existing clients by making it a part of a unified marketing effort.

Accomplish this and you will maximize your success on the Internet!

So, you now have a Web Site... but that alone is not enough. For it to convey it's message it must be found by your target audience.

Upon the completion of your web site QGM will submit to all major Internet directories and search facilities, your Web Site Address (URL), a description of your new site, and a list of keywords, to provide a pointer to your site when users search for information.

Once this process is completed and the databases are updated (about a 2 week process) interested users will find your URL when they search for a keyword or topic associated with your site.

Although QGM makes every attempt to update all of the major commercial databases, many, many more private databases are hidden in nooks and crannies all over the Internet. Every time you run across one of these, take the time to enter your web site data. You never know where your next client will look for you!

Unlike updating commercial and private databases, having other organizations include a link to your site is a much more difficult and time consuming feat, although as important as any other marketing technique. For if a popular site that is visited often offers your site as a link, you benefit from the "referral".

How do you get someone to link to your site? Asking is the first step. Many people would love to have their site linked everywhere, but fail to ask. Of course it helps if your site (and a link to your site} adds something to the other site. i.e. if you build houses, ask for a link on real estate and related sites. Ask for a link on the European Vacation site and you'll likely be refused. Besides, you want traffic to your site, but it should be traffic that's somewhat interested in your offerings.

Offering a reciprocal link is another way to get linked. Caution: providing too many links off of your site can tend to allow potential clients to wander off. Tip: Put your off-site links all together and make it plainly clear to users that these links will take them off your site. Do not feature them at the beginning of your site, wait until users have had a chance to see your information.

QGM can assist you in developing a links area at your site.

Once your new Web Site is on line, tell EVERYONE.

Share the excitement of being on the Internet ! Announce your new site in mailings, newsletters and other correspondence !

Consider a separate mailing just to announce: "We're on the Internet!" In addition to generating interest and traffic to your new site, the fact that you have invested time, effort and money in establishing an Internet presence tells clients and prospects that your are serious about what you are doing.

Another way to both create web site traffic and to market to a group of peers on the Internet is to join a newsgroup. Take the time to explore the many newsgroups and find the ones that pertain to your field. You'll find [by reading the Newsgroup FAQ] that most of the newsgroups will allow a signature that includes your URL. By participating and making a contribution to pertinent newsgroups you will become recognized by the rest of the participants as a knowledgable and serious force in your field.

In addition to industry newsgroups, you will also discover other newsgroups which do allow posting of overt advertising. careful however, not to post an advertisement or shameless call for visits to a web site where it is not welcome; a serious breach of ettiquette.

As part of our standard Web Site Development service. QGM offers the benefit of our experience on the Internet to all clients. Basic marketing techniques play as much a part of Web Site Development as they do in other advertising media. In addition to the traditional marketing techniques, there are additional considerations to Internet advertising. The successful Web Site should conform to the following guidelines:

• Focus the site on the user, not the product whenever possible.
• Remember that viewers of your site have invested time to see it. Offer them something worthwhile.
• Offer complex Information in an expanding format; summary first, more complex data on request.
• Construct graphics for minimum file size to reduce download time.
• Provide good navigation aids throughout your site. Don't let the user become lost in a maze of pages.
• Keep your site focused on it's goal.
• Don't let your site go stale. Keep an eye on similar sites. The web is changing fast.
• Remember that your site is a World Wide representation of your company. An Internet presence professional can be invaluable to your success on the Internet.

One way to keep interest in your site is to periodically update the information on your site. This doesn't have to mean a complete redesign every month, but do try to have some area that is updated on a regular basis. This will encourage users to bookmark your site and return again and again.

Remember to allow for updates when planning and budgeting for your site. Monthly updates are good, weekly updates are even better.

The following Internet Ettiquette guidelines will help you avoid putting your virtual foot in your mouth.

• Respond promptly to e-mail requests. The expectation is a response within 24 hours if not sooner. Wait longer than that to reply to your e-mail and you will be viewed as unresponsive.

• E-mail responses need not be as formal as normal business correspondence, but avoid being too casual. Initial e-mail correspondence is usually the first client contact and you are being judged.

• Do NOT spam. After having your web site in operation for some time, you have now assembled a huge list of e-mail addresses from everyone who has sent you mail. Resist the temptation to use this list to broadcast e-mail to these folks whenever you feel like it (spamming). Sending unwanted junk e-mail is the quickest way to show your bad taste and disregard for your potential clients time.

• Do not sell your lists of e-mail and/or clients. When asking for user information, remember to assure them of your respect for their privacy.

• As in any business, be responsive, offer good customer service, and strive to satisfy your customers. This works as well on the Internet as it does at the corner barber shop.

Another way to increase the traffic to your web site is to rent "ad space" on other high profile/high traffic sites.

Practically all of the Internet search database web sites offer numerous levels of advertising opportunities. These can range from just a few dollors a month to the tens of thousands depending on how much traffic the area where your ad appears receives.

Caution however, to consider the kind of traffic the site you choose to advertise on attracts. After all the goal is to locate potential customers, not simply increase traffic.

QGM can design and place banner ads where they will profit you the most.

A successful web site does not just happen! It takes work on both the developer and owners' part. QGM can assist in this process. Contact us!