FREE SPECIAL REPORT

"How To Really Market Your Wedding Business On The Internet"
13 Steps Toward Guaranteed Success!

by Erik Kent, Co-Publisher, NJWedding.com

With the explosive growth of the Internet's World Wide Web as a marketing medium for businesses, it's not a matter of "if" to promote your company online, but rather "when."

Over 80,000 couples are married in New Jersey each year. These savvy young couples are using the Internet to retrieve information on planning a wedding and to look for local wedding services. With a presence on the Internet, you will be able to connect with them.

Other wedding businesses just like yours are getting involved right now. Here is a FREE Special Report listing 13 steps you can take to ensure successful marketing of your business on the Internet...

1) Get an e-mail account

Assuming that you have a modern computer with at least 16 megs of RAM (32 megs recommended), sufficient hard drive space (at the very least 1.2 gigs) and a 28.8 modem (56K recommended), all you need to get on to the Internet is an e-mail account. The provider you choose will send you the necessary software to get online, and you can figure on paying about $20 per month for access plus the provider's set up fees, if any.

2) Figure out why you want your business on the World Wide Web

What are your goals for this medium? Do you want to just portray your image, sell products, attract new leads, or provide more information to potential customers? You can do it all online, but it's a good idea to know what you want to accomplish first.

3) Design your web site

With all the talk about creating a web site for your company, it makes sense to learn how it is done. You can buy software in a computer store and take the time to learn how to create HTML or graphics to construct your site. Many enterprising businesses do so. Your other option is to hire a company to develop your web site for you, incorporating the necessary graphics, logos, pictures, text and feedback forms that you want to provide. Make sure that the company you choose knows something about your business and industry. They will be able to guide you in knowing what brides and grooms may be looking for.

4) Choose an Internet address that is marketable

If you have a recognizable business name that you want to protect, it makes sense to have your own "domain name" (http://www.yourbusiness.com). You can also use your Internet Service Provider's (ISP) name as your address (http://www.yourprovider.com/yourbusiness) or attach your name to your web site developer if they have a recognizable address.

5) Choose a host for your web site

Your web site must sit on a host's computer (who has access to the Internet 24 hours a day) for it to be accessible to visitors on the Internet. Choosing a good host for your site is important. You must rely on them to keep their system running smoothly so that people won't have a problem accessing to your site.

6) Promote your site throughout the Internet for FREE

There are thousands of "search engines" and "directories" on the Internet where people look to find sites that pertain to their interest. You can register your site with these search engines so that people can find you. It's easy to find these FREE areas where you can submit your site. It's just spending the time to do so. Since there are so many, it is a constant process of finding the right ones where people are looking for the type of services that your company provides.

7) Consider web sites that will include your link for a fee

Just like advertising in a local newspaper or a wedding magazine to reach the customers that your business attracts, there are a number of sites on the Internet that are visited by your potential customers. These web sites charge a fee for including your link or banner ad, or having your business listed in a directory. It's a good idea to find these sites and inquire about their rates if you feel that your customers are looking there for wedding services.

8) Include your web site address on everything

From business cards to letterhead to fax cover sheets, it's important to include your URL (web site address). Only a constant reminder to the public that you are reachable via the Internet will make them want to go to your site, so it's important to get it out in front of them in as many ways as possible. Some other places to include your URL are on all newspaper, magazine and broadcast advertising, brochures, flyers, direct mail and even on your company vehicles!

9) Check your e-mail regularly

Since your web site is a vehicle to attract potential clients who may visit it, your e-mail address is the tool which they will use to inquire about your services. When visitors respond to your site, they will fill out a feedback form or e-mail you directly and expect a response back from you. It's a good idea to get into the habit of checking your e-mail regularly so that you can answer incoming requests quickly. The faster you respond to a potential customer from the Internet, the faster you will earn their business because of your quick customer service and attentiveness to their needs.

10) Participate in Internet discussion or chat groups and mailing lists

In a medium that is so specific to people's interests, there are many opportunities for you to find particular chat groups or mailing lists where your potential customers are lurking. Your involvement in these groups can be very successful for your business as you establish yourself as an "expert" in the topics of discussion. Although it is inappropriate for you to blatantly advertise your service, there are ways that you can participate and attract potential members to your web site.

11) Talk up your Internet presence

Tell your friends, colleagues and customers that you have a web site, and get their response. Of course, it's a great conversation topic these days, but also find out what they think of your site and how you can make it better. You tend to trust those that you deal with most frequently for their opinions, comments and suggestions. Don't be shy to talk about your site and ask for people's input to make it better.

12) Check out your competition

In a medium as accessible as the web, it's never been easier to see what your competitors are doing to attract new business and promote themselves. The best ideas are the ones borrowed and improved upon, so why not see what people in your business from different parts of the country are doing? It's something that you should definitely take advantage of, and it's as simple as a click of a button!

13) Don't give up!

If you've been known to say, "I'll try it once, and if it doesn't work...," then marketing on the Internet isn't for you. It takes a great deal of time and effort to develop a web site or Internet marketing program that works and solicits a response from visitors. It takes a great deal of promotion to make your web site easily "findable" and in the correct search engines and directories. Stay committed to this medium, and it will pay off for you as it continues to grow.

"Never, never, never, never give up." - Sir Winston Churchill

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About Us: NJWedding.com was founded by New Jersey couple Erik and Beth Kent on February 14, 1997 as a response to the growing need for a web site that would consolidate New Jersey wedding services and help future brides and grooms find these services. The web site currently features over 500 wedding-related businesses in New Jersey that future brides and grooms can choose from, as well as links to helpful advice and wedding information.

NJWedding.com is a local "search engine" and provides an affordable advertising opportunity for New Jersey wedding businesses. The site averages over 400,000 hits per month, and it continues to grow every day through highly targeted advertising to future New Jersey couples planning their wedding on the Internet.

Click Here to use the search engine and see how New Jersey wedding services are being advertised. For more information about how NJWedding.com can help your business connect with New Jersey couples, contact Erik and Beth Kent at (908) 874-0417 or click here to fill in our online form.