by Murray Lunn

Created on: September 11, 2010   Last Updated: September 13, 2010

A common misconception about advertising your business online is that the only way to do so costs money. In fact, there are many ways to advertise your business online for free. Of course, it will require additional effort and upkeep but for those business owners who want to keep their budgets low and their sales high, the following methods are perfect for your business to advertise online:

1. Online classified ads

Websites like Craigslist make it simple for businesses to advertise their online for free. After you register with the website, you can begin placing your ads in your local area or around the country. Although the built in listing is rather simple, additional graphic tools help you spruce up your listings to keep it effective.

2. Blogging

Installing a blog on your website is one of the quickest and easiest way to advertise your business online for free. In exchange for the time you invest toward creating content, you'll receive free organic traffic from search engines and social media.

3. Forums

Forums can be massive boards with thousands of individuals talking about any number of subjects. For your business, find a forum which relates to you niche, provide helpful content and insights and leave a link within your signature so people can click through and find your business.

4. Local listing

Search engines and websites have begun to facilitate local businesses with their listings. Because internet users that are shopping want to find businesses that list their items locally, you can list your businesses within such local listings as Yelp and Google Places.

5. Article marketing

Another form of free advertising for your business online is through the use of creating articles, submitting them to article directories and leaving a backlink to your website. Article marketing allows you to drive traffic through the links you place and helps your overall rankings due to building backlinks.

6. Building an email list

Email is underused but one of the most powerful ways to advertise your business online for free. With a great incentive, you can have people sign up for your email list in which you can later market toward them and increase your sales.

7. Social media

Consumers, as everyone, have found social media to be a great way to find recommendations on products and services. If your business is tech savvy, you can join in social media, monitor what people are talking about and help others to drive them to your website and turn them into customers.

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