What are some good ways to get free/cheap advertising?

[carlywood]

I've just looked at your website, and it seems to me that either you, or the person who designed your site is knowledgeable about SEO, your website is pretty nice, and seems quite well optimised.

I was going to suggest the 'free index' but you are already listed, so a few more sites out my toolkit:

http://www.xomreviews.com - add your url and it automatically ads your site to it's listings. It probably wont drum you up much business, but it will help your SEO campaign.

http://www.aboutus.org - add your site to this, a wiki of websites, and write what it's all about, what you sell etc.

http://websitejudge.com/nl/home - it's in german, and a bit confusing, but add your url and it will pull in your website's picture and data, and provide a link. Again, won't drum up the business, but will help with SEO.

http://www.bttradespace.com - write about your site, what you sell, set up a blog and link your products - brilliant resource. RECOMMENDED!

Not to mention a couple of other places it wont hurt to advertise: (free!)

http://www.gumtree.com
http://www.facebook.com/marketplace
http://uk.freeads.net
http://derby.digicity.co.uk/
http://www.publictechnology.net/bizdirec...isting.php

If some of the free adverts you place get ranked on Google above your competitors, they'll notice a decline in prospect, while you notice you'll be getting their traffic!

http://www.angieslist.com/Angieslist

This is a website where people can review electricians, doctors, dentists, etc - get your site on there and ask some happy clients to review you.

You could try Google 'pay per click' advertising, which should return on your investment in it, and show your website at the top of the others in Google's index.

I assume you have Google Analytics on your site? You can use this to monitor keywords, and PPC adverting.

Other places to try advertising:

* Local Paper

*Local newsletters (I used to live in Findern, Derby and my Mum lives in Bonsall Derbyshire now, and in both areas we get local newsletters with stories, news and adverts in) Contact local councils, and parish councils who write these, and advertise your business in them.

I'd also look at contacting derby city and county councils and asking about adding your services to a directory of 'trusted' professionals on their websites. I've seen such a directory and used it myself in the past. They may be also able to advise on other types of sponsorship or advertising around Derby. (for example, the signs on Islands near the DRI, or sponsoring events.) They may also have fairs or shows or events coming up that you can set up tables at. Additionally, I know they are putting on a free 'beat the credit crunch' advertising and marketing 101 - 'how to promote your business' class at some point, so see if you can find out more about that too..!