tomparker on HubPages

Hi,  I'm Tom Parker in Rock Hill, SC.  I am a web developer and Internet marketer who assist small businesses and individuals,  with producing and marketing a successful web site, and to establish a presence on the web.

The Internet is a constantly changing medium.  The ways that Internet sites were built and marketed just a few years ago have gone the way of the dinosaur.  A few of the old misconceptions still seem to thrive though,  like weeds in the garden.  The biggest misconception in my opinion is:  "Build it...they will come"!

Well, this isn't "Field of Dreams" here folks, and if that's what you think, then you ARE living in a field of dreams.  But in reality,  building a site is only the beginning.

Your site MUST have a LOT of VALUABLE content.  Then,  it must have a serious amount of eyeballs looking for that content. Once a potential customer has found your website, and they have found value in the information that you have provided, maybe...just maybe, they will choose to buy your product or service. Once they get to know, like and trust you,  perhaps then you will have earned the right to a sell, or even better...a "customer for life".

There are free ways to generate traffic to your site.  Free as far as no dollars spent, but it will involve a lot of "sweat equity".  You can do this yourself, if you have the time,  or hire it out,  so you can concentrate on what you do best, running your business. 

 A lot of this is part of what's called "Web 2.0",  or social marketing.  You have probably heard the "buzz" , sites like FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, Social bookmarking sites like del.ico.ous, Social News sites like Digg, Squidoo article sites,  just to name a few, then of course my personal favorite... HubPages ;-)

Advertising cost money,  online or offline.  Many site owners,  even the "work at home" entrepreneur may spend thousands or tens of thousands of dollars a month in advertising.  That's something they have slowly built up to of course, and they know that they will get that back and much, much more. 

 Would you  spend $10,000 if you knew you would get a return of $20,000? On a smaller level, if you are just starting out, would you spend $50 if you knew you would get back at least $100?  Kind of a "no brainer" isn't it? 

 My biggest current project right now is promoting a new "green" paperboard pallet product that was recently introduced to the U.S. by PBPallets in Chatsworth ,GA. This has been a very educational project for me and has made me much more aware of the importance of protecting our environment and saving our resources.

I bring that up only to give you this example.  By using the "new school" methods of marketing through Web 2.0 methods,  I was able to get PBPallets on the first page of Google within days (actually number one and number eight on the first page for different search words). After a month, it is directly or indirectly listed on page one and two several times. (Just search for paperboard pallet or paperboard pallets to see for yourself.)

If you need someone to help you either start and market a site from srcatch, or promote your existing site and business please let me know.

See You on the web...I hope!

Tom