Before the Internet, small businesses only had a few ways to market
their products cheaply, through methods like printing out fliers or
sponsoring little local events. Now there are all kinds of opportunities
out there on the Web—you just need to know where to look.
Embrace social media
Social media isn't just a tool to gain
exposure—it has now become a necessary time investment for every
business to make. You can tie in ads and offers on your Facebook page
and have a direct channel with your customers on Twitter. Networking on
LinkedIn—both at the personal and company level—can be another way to
help your startup.
Start a blog
A blog not only helps your company get its name
out through followers, but is a way to connect with your consumers more
directly. But remember that one of the major keys of blogging is to keep
your stream updated as frequently as you can. A dormant, abandoned blog
is worth nothing.
SEO your company website
Search engine optimization cannot be
underestimated in the world of constant Googling. Pick up a book or
head over to an online how-to-guide on SEO and make sure your site is
primed for performance on search engines.
Join a relevant online community and contribute
Every niche
has communities online that you can get involved in. But just signing up
for a forum and posting every once in a while about your business isn't
beneficial for anyone, and will likely just annoy people. Actively
contribute and build a rapport with the community, while keeping your
business out of it. Passively promote your business by putting a link in
your signature or mentioning it only when the context is appropriate.