New webmasters often misuse this technique of website promotion. They want to make a quick sale, but people can see trough this. Promoting your website the wrong way does far more damage than not doing it at all. Read how to do it the right way and you will see results.
Benefits of promoting your website on online forums
Establishing credibility
The most important benefit is establishing credibility. Posting on forums gives your potential customers an opportunity to know you better. With doing good you will establish trust which will make your potential buyers relaxed about what you write. They will believe what you say and lower their spam shields. Think about it: from whom are you buying on internet? Sites you trust or sites you have never heard about?
Learn about your audience
Second benefit is by reading and posting on forums you can learn about your target audience. You will get first hand information on peoples needs and thoughts. This is an extreme value for every company! And its free.
Networking
You will also meet other webmasters on forums and broaden your network that way. Remember: people who know you are more likely to link to your website than others.
How to promote your website on forum
- Find a forum that relates to your website. Check out Strongest Links Forum list for a start.
- Join it and set your user profile. Create a signature with your Name, website URL and a short sentence about your site.
- Contribute. Answer peoples posts, give them advice, solve their problems. Make sure you are posting only about things you know a lot about.
We have developed two models to show you how to do it. Of course follow the first one:)
Model1: Promoting your website on forums the right way
User asks a question | you reply with a valuable post | people begin to trust you | people identify you as an authority | people seek more about you and your website |
Model2: Wrong way
User asks a question | you reply trying to make a sale | people notice you want to make a quick buck | you loose credibility | people ignore your posts and your website |
Conclusion:
Promoting your website on a forum can only be done if you really care about your target market! People will notice the sparkle in your posts and will award you with their trust.
Their trust means targeted visitors who believe you. They will lower their spam shields when you try to sell them your product or service.