Web site promotion is a very complicated task. There are so many ways to promote your site that I can't even begin to do more than give you a cursory overview. There are professional promoters out there that can help you, and that's how they make their living. They have to be good, but they are also in many cases expensive. I'm going to give you some ideas to get you started, and for most scrollers it should be enough. Since our work is not mass produced, we really don't want a million hits a month!
Start simple!
Non-web based promotion is easy to do on a local basis.
1. Print yourself some business cards than include your web address. They should be simple but include a little color. Pass them out at shows, make them available in your booth at the craft malls if you have one, give several to your friends and family members, drop them in the library and grocery store, whatever. Just get them out.
2. Print small labels for your pieces, which include your web address, name, and phone number. Everything you do should have this information on it somewhere if possible.
Use your e-mail contacts to promote your site. Your mail program should give you the option of adding a signature line, which should include your web address. Make sure that your friends and family, and all of your e-mail contacts know that your web site exists. While they may not be your target customers, they all talk to people and will give your information when they have a chance. Most of the general population still likes to brag if they happen to know the owner of a "dot-com".
Search Engines
Ah, the big one! I won't get too deep here. All the search engines work differently, and take varying amounts of time to index and list your site. I suggest starting with a few of the big ones, such as Yahoo, Lycos, Excite, and About.com. Read the information they give on how they work. Some will ask for descriptions, some will only ask for a URL. Some index your entire site, some a few levels, and some only one page. Don't be afraid to submit more than one page, be honest in descriptions, and be patient. Just don't be intimidated, and submit to any other search engines or web indexes you find.
Links
Quality links are a big thing. Search for similar sites and link to them, then request a reciprocal link. I personally believe that this may be the best web based resource available to crafters. Link and banner exchanges are nice, although some guest may be annoyed by them, but your link, preferable with a good brief description, is the most direct method available. Besides that, link traffic and quantity is one of the criteria that some of the search engines use. Just make sure to only link to sites that you wish to be associated with, and check them often to make sure they maintain their web site quality.
On Line Craft Malls
There are many online craft malls available to you. Some will allow you a link for free, some will offer you free pages, and some will charge either by the month, year, or on a per sale basis. Do your own research using the search engines in this area and see what they have to offer.
Don't be afraid to start small, your web site should be an extension of your craft business, and you don't want to get suddenly bombarded with orders you can't fill.
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