Trouble reaching eProcurement Niche...

[MuddyFox]

Hi All

We provide a Free online eProcurement Solution for SME's. (and some larger companies)

Whilst we have a modest membership, our site is not being found by most SME's.

As the site is provided Free of charge, we are not prepared to spend money on advertising or marketing at this time.

Any ideas on how to spread the word would be appreciated?

MuddyFox
e-z-quote eProcurement
[url]www.e-z-quote.net[url]
[url]www.e-z-quote.co.uk[url]

[microbe]

Hi MuddyFox

One thing about the site was I couldn't really work out precisely what your service does. Ok, in general terms, I get the idea, but I couldn't see whether or not it might benefit me.

I think it might be a good idea to put up some case studies, showing how it works and how the benefits accrue.

As to promotion.

Clearly you will be aware that a high percentage of users find new sites by using search engines, so this is a very good place to start.

I know you say you don't have a budget for marketing, but I would still suggest that you should explore just how little carefully targetted advertising might cost. Google Adsense might be a good route for you, although this is not an area where I would claim any expertise, so there may be more appropriate alternatives. You certainly don't need to be paying large amounts of money for banner ads to get to your target market.

There are other business sites like ClearlyBusiness, and bCentral who might be prepared to link to you. You will probably help yourself in getting these kind of links if you supply a really good press release explaining your service.

Journalists are lazy so if you can do all their work for them, it also increases your chances of getting your copy picked up and featured in articles and getting links that way.

Hope that helps.

[MuddyFox]

Hi Microbe

Thanks for the advice and ideas...

I have contacted both ClearlyBusiness and bcentral, and we have circulated a press release.

You can read our press release at [url]http://www.clickpress.com/releases/Detailed/674005cp.shtml[url] if you are interested.

We have also optimized our site for search engines, and now come up within the top 10 for some procurement related searches - although I expect we'll be slipping down the ranks almost immediately without constant tweaking...

Thanks again for your comments

[microbe]

I read the press release. Now I have a clue what you do. TBH, from visiting the site I hadn't understood at all what you did - so maybe you still need to add some more clarification on there. Maybe case studies as I suggested before or a walk through?

Good luck with it anyway.

[MuddyFox]

Will do

Thanks