What's the best way to promote an online business for free?

[Rose]

I am a stay at home mom who happens to design jewelry. I do well at craft shows, but being a mom, it's too much hassling shows and spending time with family. I decided to have a website so i can focus online. But i ma paying a high monthly fee with less access of reaching clients to look at it. If any one has an idea of how i can promote my biz for free, since i can't afford ads yet, pliz let mw know. Thanks!

[Matthew]

To directly answer the question, the best way to promote an online business is still word of mouth. Or more accurately, social networking. With social networking you can reach new customers, and showcase new jewelry to your past customers. There are several ways to accomplish this:

1. Create a facebook page. Populate the page with quality images of your products. For more likes and extra traffic to your website you can run contests. Give away a gift card, a product, or offer a discount for the person who gets the most likes.

2. Open a twitter account and connect with like minded businesses there. You could search twitter for jewelry or hand made, and follow people from the search results. Post regular updates about products

3. You mentioned you cannot afford ads, but you should check out Google Adwords anyhow. Instead of trying to pay for an ad on the keyword "jewelry", have your ad show for "hand made jewelry" or similar. The longer key-phrase will in most cases cost less. You can also set your max pay per click however you like. I have had ads run for as little as .30 cents before.

Another suggestion I would like to make is that you check out Etsy.com if you have not done so all ready. The website is dedicated to hand made items, and is a great place to sell your jewelry.