When you have a website and you're looking to bring traffic to it, a search engine optimized press release can be one of the best tools you will ever have in achieving your goals. Not only does a press release optimized for search engines help you gain traffic, which in turn can potentially mean more sales, but it can still get the news out about your product or service while making maximum use of the Internet.

While traditional press releases - made with print publications in mind and written in a slightly different format - will still bring you some attention, it probably won't be the kind you're looking for. Most people's views of a press release are for getting big news stories out into the public eye, and this is where the more traditional press releases have always found their audience. Journalists would receive a release - perhaps on a company merger, perhaps on a new scientific discovery - and then, if they were interested, open up a dialogue with the PR company that posted the release to them.

Now, however, with the impact that the Internet has had on the way we interact and do business, search engine optimized press releases are the new standard. There are many reasons for this - effectiveness of the medium in targeting your specific audience, features that can be included in an online press release and the ability to track stats are just some of the benefits of an online press release, particularly one optimized for the search engines.

Perhaps the biggest reason why press releases are such a useful tool in attracting traffic to your website can be found in the newer Press Release 2.0 template. With the new features that Web 2.0 offers, the older online press releases were in danger of becoming as outdated as the more print-oriented version. Now, however, with a Press Release 2.0 that's designed specifically with Web 2.0 functionality in mind, companies and website owners can get a really powerful PR message across to readers. Features include:

• Interactive contact details using Skype, IM, blog and more.
• RSS links to a purpose built Del.icio.us page.
• MP3 or video files attached or via embedded links.
• Social media feed links - Technorati, Digg, Newsvine, etc.

As you can see, the newer press releases are fully interactive news feeds that offer much more than a simple story. With a tool this powerful linking back to your website, blog or even Hub, it's easy to see why a press release - particularly a search engine optimized press release - is such a key tool in website traffic. For maximum results, employ the services of a professional copywriting service that can offer invaluable experience when it comes to writing and distributing your press release.

5 Excellent Press Release Sites

1. PRWeb
2. TransWorld News
3. PrLog
4. 1888 Press Release
5. PRNews Now