10 places to shout about your site

In the effort to drive more traffic to your website, it’s so easy to get absorbed in the world of online marketing, and completely forget about the opportunities you have in the ‘real world’!

As a general rule, wherever you have information about your company, your website address should be there too. That way, if you catch people’s interest, they’ve got something to reference, somewhere to get more detail, before getting in touch directly.

The following list is a starting point – 10 places where you can shout about your website in the real world. The list is by no means exhaustive, so do add a comment or let me know if you have more ideas.

1. Business StationaryOk, let’s start with the obvious – I’m hoping you’ll have this one sorted already. Ensure that any literature that leaves your office has your website address on. That includes business cards, invoices, headed paper, promotional leaflets, brochures, the list goes on… Make it prominent, and give people a reason to go and look at the website.
2. Email SignaturesThink about how many emails you send out each day. Add a signature (in Outlook, go to Tools -> Options -> Mail Format to set up a default signature), and as well as your name and telephone number, include your website address. If there’s a particular service you’re promoting, or you’d like to get more people signed up to your email newsletter, include specific links to the relevant pages.
3. Adverts in local or industry specific pressOffline advertising can be incredibly expensive. But depending on your business type, advertising in the local village magazine, or in industry specific publications, can be a valuable way of gaining new business. Make sure you include your website address in your ad – so people can go away and find out more about you!
4. Networking EventsFace to face business networking can be an incredibly valuable way of building up your business, as well as gaining support and a good supplier network at the same time. But depending on the format of the event, you may not to get to speak to each and every person in the room. If you get a chance to do a 60 second pitch, consider mentioning your website. And where appropriate, make some promotional literature available for people to take if they wish – with your website address on!
5. Sponsorship & Charitable WorkYou may decide to sponsor a local event, do some charitable work, or similar. See this as an opportunity to get your name, brand and website address out there! Make sure when you are referenced, your website is referenced too.
6. Van LiveryParticularly for trades people, your name and brand can become very well known in the local area, simply by virtue of it being on your vehicle. Make sure each and every vehicle is professionally sign written, and give your website address a prominent place.
7. Office SignsThis is particularly relevant if your office is in a busy location. Have your office signs include your website address, so people passing by can go away and find out more.
8. Stickers anyone?This idea came from seeing a servicing sticker that our local plumber had left on the boiler. It’s a reminder of when the boiler needs servicing again, and as well as a phone number, why not include the website? This could be applicable to any manner of businesses who do recurring work for clients – leave some literature behind with your details so they can find you again when they need you.
9. Any freebies you give outThis is an obvious one, but if you attend trade fairs and events where you distribute any sort of freebies – make sure your website address is included!
10. 10. Press Releases/FeaturesGreat! You’re featured in the local paper, trade publication, industry magazine….. oh, wait a minute…. you mean to say there’s no website address in there?! It’s an all too common problem. Make sure all press releases include your website address. When interviewed, request that it be included. If possible, give people a good reason for going and taking a look.