Question about ways to attract visitors

[palmpal]

Hello,

I would like some feedback about two scenrios for attracting qualified visitors to an ecommerce site.

The first scenario is to get listed in a variety of "top sites" lists that includes entries of other competitors, hang out at various forums to help out potential customers and become part of a consignment store along with other competitors.

The second scenario is to rely on search engines and PPC methods to bring customers to your store.

Thanks!

[specter]

Integrate the two.

[webwoman]

Placing a "refer a friend" button on each page can help get qualified visitors. There is no better recommendation than one that comes from someone who your visitor actually knows.

[EstoreSeeker]

Majority of Internet users rely on search engines and directories to find information they need. Therefore, ranking highly in search engines and directories is critical.
And users generally only explore first 10 or 20 sites in search results. Therefore understanding of how search engine ranking works & how to get your site in top 20 results can make an enormous difference in amount of visitor traffic your site receives.
If your web developer claims to have already optimised your site, ask to see key search terms used and for proof of your search engine ranking. If you haven’t already hired a firm that specialises in optimisation, consider it as the most critical aspect of your audience development strategy.

[beyondenchanted]

RE: "If you haven’t already hired a firm that specialises in optimisation"

Please recommend some good firms. Internet marketing sites are
becoming sleazy, some are outright fraudulent or are fronts for collecting
money and do not deliver the services ordered. It's becoming a needle
in a haystack search for good internet marketing firms.

I'd be oh so grateful to see some good firms recommended in the forums by folks who have used them and seen good online sales improvements as a result . Thanks! - beyondenchanted

[Essex_boy]

This months edition of dot net magazine covers five firms that they have used in an experiment. refer to that for help