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<blockquote data-quote="Browncoat" data-source="post: 18169" data-attributes="member: 1061">Since this is essentially a web marketing thread, I'll share my insights.&nbsp; Here are some guaranteed steps that will build your web presence:1.&nbsp; Do it yourself.&nbsp; Self-hosting is the best way to go...get your own .com, don't build your business through some kind of free service where they have most of the control.&nbsp; It can be done on a shoestring budget, and if you're not into coding HTML and CSS, there are many cool free templates out there.&nbsp; I designed my site myself, and it's all self-taught.&nbsp; You can do it too.2.&nbsp; Write a blog and update it regularly.&nbsp; Trust me on this one.&nbsp; People do come back and read what you've written, and it keeps your name fresh in their minds.3.&nbsp; Register with Google Webmaster Tools.&nbsp; Use Google Analytics.&nbsp; Use XML Sitemaps.&nbsp; Register with Google Places and put your business on the map...literally.&nbsp; SEO is a package deal, it's not a one-and-done effort.&nbsp; And it's ongoing.4.&nbsp; Use Facebook and Twitter.&nbsp; I'm no guru, but what I've been doing works.&nbsp; Avoid reading too much about how to use these (especially Twitter) online.&nbsp; Most of what you'll read is junk.&nbsp; If you want to know some good sources, just ask.&nbsp; The real success stories are easy to find.5. Use relevant keywords.&nbsp; You're not Joe McNally, so people aren't going to do a search for &quot;wedding photographer&quot; and find you on the web.&nbsp; Be smart.&nbsp; [zip code] wedding photographer is a good place to start.&nbsp; There are keyword tools out there at your disposal (I need to post some links) that will tell you what people are really searching for.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Browncoat, post: 18169, member: 1061"] Since this is essentially a web marketing thread, I'll share my insights. Here are some guaranteed steps that will build your web presence: 1. Do it yourself. Self-hosting is the best way to go...get your own .com, don't build your business through some kind of free service where they have most of the control. It can be done on a shoestring budget, and if you're not into coding HTML and CSS, there are many cool free templates out there. I designed my site myself, and it's all self-taught. You can do it too. 2. Write a blog and update it regularly. Trust me on this one. People do come back and read what you've written, and it keeps your name fresh in their minds. 3. Register with Google Webmaster Tools. Use Google Analytics. Use XML Sitemaps. Register with Google Places and put your business on the map...literally. SEO is a package deal, it's not a one-and-done effort. And it's ongoing. 4. Use Facebook and Twitter. I'm no guru, but what I've been doing works. Avoid reading too much about how to use these (especially Twitter) online. Most of what you'll read is junk. If you want to know some good sources, just ask. The real success stories are easy to find. 5. Use relevant keywords. You're not Joe McNally, so people aren't going to do a search for "wedding photographer" and find you on the web. Be smart. [zip code] wedding photographer is a good place to start. There are keyword tools out there at your disposal (I need to post some links) that will tell you what people are really searching for. [/QUOTE]

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