Promoting your brand new website is a must if you want it to be found by your potential customers and as alluded to in other articles; it's not just about launching it and hoping for the best.
The old saying "if you build it, they will come" certainly doesn't work on the web and if you do build it then chances are you've spent some money - it would be a shame for all that cash to go to waste.
So, we need to promote ourselves and our business and to do that we simply have to get social and start fishing around for places where we can post links to our products in the hope that it may pique someone's interest enough.
We've all heard of Facebook and Twitter so we'll start with these two giants of the online networking world and explain a little bit about how we can use them.
Although they've been around for a while, it's best we start at basics so that we're not leaving anyone behind so forgive me if some of this is a little basic.
First of all, what is social networking? Well the easy answer to this is that it's a place or places where people can exchange messages.
Most social networking sites have 'groups' where people of like-minds can get together and discuss their interests and hobbies and maybe even help each other out.
There are groups for chess players, singers, metal detector fans - all sorts and if you have a hobby any kind then it's a fair bet that there's someone out there who would be able to chat to you about it.
You need to remember, the Internet is vast and it's full of very interesting people.
So how can this help my business? This is a bit tougher because it's not as easy as popping up in a chat forum and saying "hey, I make widgets, want to buy some?" That sort of activity is at best frowned upon and at worse will end up in a ban.
No, we need to simply make friends and then at some point explain what it is we do.
Most networking sites have some sort of 'profile' section where you can explain your interests and hobbies and the sort of things you do for a living.
This is a great place to start because it can usually be quite commercial.
This profile is not pushed in front of people; instead, they need to elect to read it.
Then, you simply engage in conversation with people in the network and hopefully, some of them may take a look at your profile and decide they want to engage with you.
And here's where you can do the most to promote yourself.
As with all social endeavours, you will get more out of it the more you put in and 'putting in' can be as easy as providing help and information to those who ask for it.
Many people will access these forums and networking sites because they have a question that they really need answering.
Can you answer it? If so, go in there and let them know.
This simple exchange of knowledge can increase your profile and subsequently people will begin to trust you.
And here's the crux of the subject: trust is the single biggest reason that people will buy your products and so it is essential you build up a trust with the companies or people you are going to do business with.
Let me explain.
If you're a long standing business that has been around in an area for a long time, assuming you don't fleece your regular customers and build up a bad reputation then you are more likely to get business than a new business just in town.
Simply by being around and being known is sometimes enough for potential customers to trust you above others.
Now obviously this isn't the 'quick fix' that many people (and maybe not you) were after, indeed the way the online world works we can be forgiven for thinking that everything is both easy and super-quick on the Internet and millionaires are made over night, but unfortunately, it's not the case.
If you want to make the most of your brand and therefore your social networking experience then you need to do it slowly and in a measured way.
But most of all you need to take part - that's what the 'social' bit is all about, after all! Some tips to help you along the way: - Register with social networking sites that will hold your interest.
As well as the general sites such as Facebook and Twitter, do a search for sites that deal with your particular interests, hobbies and products.
-Take part in discussions and help people out.
People love those that give information freely and if someone asks for something, don't simply offer to help them for a price.
Give information for free, you will be better respected for it.
-Keep strong views to yourself and out of the business style forums.
Business owners are fickle and they may decide to not deal with you simply because of something you've recently said.
All in all, be sensible with your social networking and you will be rewarded with plenty of new business!