There's More Than One Way to Get Noticed

The experiences of starting and running several small businesses online can definitely be a revelation in many ways. Blogging, linking, sending out newsletters, designing a website... Here are some experiences that might be helpful to those thinking about starting a small business or and helpful to those Bonanzlers who already have started.  When someone asks, "Who's your webmaster?" tell him or her "I guess I am! " 

•     Visit and comment on other people's blogs. Make your comments meaningful - not just "Hi, I agree."  Leave your business name or link to your Bonanzle booth or your website URL.  Start by doing a search by doing a Google search for "small business blog" or "rural business blog".  You will find hundreds of blogs, including plenty by fellow Bonanzlers. Of course, those Bonanzle bloggers already know about Bonanzle. Therefore, there will be a bigger payoff for you if you leave responses on blogs where people do not already know about Bonanzle.

•     Find sites that have Top 100 lists of website like yours. For example, "Top 100 Craft Sites", "Top Wood Working Sites", and "Top 100 Jewelry Sites" would be great sites for sellers who deal in craft items. Get on their lists. See if they share links, reciprocal links, etc.

•     Google Base, Google Base, Google Base!  Submit your Bonanzle listings to Google Base (combined with adding item traits/attributes to your listings) and watch your business traffic increase. Your listings will show up in Google search results when shoppers use Google to search for an item. Talk about Internet presence! This is the #1 thing you should do if you want to be seen on the Internet. Oh yeah, one more thing... Google Base!

•     Get listed in the Yahoo! Local business finder. List your business in online yellow pages. Search Google for "free business directory". There are plenty to choose from. If permitted, upload a logo or photo to go with your directory listing. Put a link to your Bonanzle booth on your webpage. Find local websites that allow you to add your business to their directories.

•     Consider advertising in your local newspaper to target local shoppers. Many newspapers also have free (or cheap) online business directories.

•     Offer coupons for your business at sites like merchantcircle.com, googleocity.com or tjoos.com. They are easy to set up, fast and painless.

•     Send out a newsletter to friends and family with plenty of links to your store. Tell them they can forward to whomever they like.

•     Add your Bonanzle booth URL to your handouts at trade shows and make sure that it's printed on your business cards. It's relatively cheap and easy to do.

•     Start a blog and link back to your webpages. Create links to others, as well. Also, ask your friends to link to you if they have a blog or homepage for business or pleasure.

•     Sign up for Google Analytics and add your Bonanzle booth to this service. It takes a Google Gmail account and some technical no-how, but worth the extra effort to see how the effect of linking and if your Internet presence is paying dividends. Maps and charts help you figure out when and where others see you, and who is watching. Of course, if you are a Bonanzle Plus or Premiere member, this is a FREE benefit available to you.