Did you ever hear of non-compete concepts and contracts? We ran across an organization that preached just that, this network allowed only one business type per city to join. This idea sounds really good or does it?
Okay, let us go car shopping! Where are all the car dealerships? The car dealerships are on Atlantic blvd. The reason is because customers go there to look for a car. Why? Because that is where all the car dealerships are! Are you starting to see the vicious cycle? If you are going to build a car dealership, you need to build it where customers are going to look for cars. Customers are smart; they understand how the competition creates better products, more options, with better prices, so they go looking for a car in a location where most of the dealerships are.
When it comes to Internet advertising, building a website with your own domain name is like building a car dealership in the boonies, far from any civilization. No matter how free or cheap you get of a deal on your website it still needs to be advertised. To get noticed when you build in the boonies you must plan on a big advertising expense, plan on a continued big expense to maintain directions to your website.
Directories and listings (including the phone book) are where most customers go to find businesses. Make sure your business is listed in any directory that a prospect may use to find your business and that any rating system is showing your business in good standing. Where ever your competition is be right there at his side. If your business is artwork then search the Internet for listings of artists/ artwork and add your business to the list. Search for the competition and where they are listed, become listed also. Most listings and directories have a free option. Just remember that an Internet website is an incomplete marketing / advertising tool and needs direction to be found.
Do not fear the competition; just take potential customers off their hands.
Senior Editor - ZipOnOverhttp://www.ziponover.com/
