eCommerce Tycoon

**houdini987** · 12-21-2006, 12:35 PM

So I'm looking to hear from web designers who have had both successful and unsuccessful attempts at paying for advertizing in order to gain traffic and quality leads.

I currently use AdWords with the smallest maximum monthly charge. It brings in clicks now and then but nothing yet has materialized. I could bump it up, but not sure if that's the way to go really.

I'm looking for something targeted and preferrably, something that other folks have had success with. Budget is a concern - I know it takes money to make it, but there's not a huge pool to draw from yet. Maybe a 1-time fee for 12-months of listing? What will US$100-$200 get me? $500?

Target market is the small business community - contractors, artists, craftspeople, etc. Does it make sense to get listings on sites that cater to them or am I better off with 1 site that gets 100x more traffic?

Please no spam replies - really just wanting to hear "what's worked and what hasn't" from the community. Thanks much!

**ADAM Web Design** · 12-21-2006, 12:44 PM

When I had to advertise and spend money, my trick was to find topically related sites to my own and pay for a year's listing on them. Depending on the site, it would usually come back one- to twelve-fold.

I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket and go for one site that allegedly gets traffic because...well...that's just a suicide mission.

**talk2christie** · 12-22-2006, 06:00 AM

I agree..don't put all your money in listing with one site. Find some established sites related to your niche and go with them. You will be targeted hits.

Write some articles and submit to directories also..it helps!

Christie

**mikesilvia** · 12-28-2006, 05:03 AM

I throw a contest on my site called "Banner of the Month contest." I put up a small prize. If my members throw my banner on their site linking back to me I allow them to pick a number. Each month I pick a winner. I get a lot of links to my site on relevant websites for very little cash. Hope that helps!

Mike

**talk2christie** · 12-28-2006, 05:50 AM

Thats a great way Mike..thanks!

**houdini987** · 12-28-2006, 09:38 AM

Yeah that actually is a pretty good idea - hmmm! Thanks!