Article Marketing - Increase Traffic to Your Website

Article marketing is a powerful traffic generator. Use these tips for creating articles that other website want.

One of the most powerful ways to generate traffic to your website is through article marketing. Simply put, article marketing is the practice of writing articles and disseminating them via the web, usually article directories, to create links back to your website.

You don't just want others to read your articles. Rather, you want other website owners to post your article (which includes an author bio), on their website. By doing so, your article takes on a viral marketing component and drives multiple links back to your website. The more websites that post your article, the more links back to your website get created.

So what makes an article ideal for article marketing? I've been writing web-only articles for quite some time (Click here to view) and have learned a few simple techniques for creating articles that others are eager to post to thier website.

1. Article Length Between 600 - 900 Words

Making sure that your article is the proper length. This is essential for maximum distribution and adoption by other websites. If your article is too long, no one will want to read it. Too short, and others may question the value of the content. When writing for the web, do not create articles that exceed 900 words. The primary reason for staying within these parameters is to ensure that your entire article is read and that browsers see your author section.

2. Include an "About the Author" Section with Each of Your Articles

If you want to create a successful article campaign, you must be sure to include an author box at the bottom of your article. This content area should include a short bio of you and your website. Don't forget to place your keywords in the link text that points back to your site. As other websites post your content, most will attach the author information with your links. These inbound links are essential for improving website ranking.

3. Offer Additional Free Articles

One of the best things to include in your bio box is the mention of additional free articles available by visiting your website. If browsers find your article to be valuable, they may be interested in visiting your site for similar articles. Make sure that these free articles are easy to find on your website.

4. Submit Your Article to the Top Article Directories

Once you've created your article, you must submit your article to the top article directories. There are literally hundres of article directories on the web, but many are created to simply generate Adsense revenue. Be sure to search via Google for popular directories and that you only submit your article to those directories that have a Google PR of 4 or higher.

There are a variety of tools you can use to semi-automate the article submission process. You can find a whole host of providers by doing a Google search on article submission. Additionally, you can select some of the top article directories and submit your article manually. Some of the top article directories include: ArticleAlley, ArticleCentral.com, SubmitYourArticle.com, WebProNews.com, and GoArticles.com.

5. Be Patient

Remember, the more articles you produce, the greater opportunity you have to distribute links back to your website. However, focus on quality versus quantity. If you create valuable content, other sites will utilize your articles, producing more and more traffic to your site. It can take weeks, even months for your articles to get distributed throughout the web.

Using the article marketing tips discussed in this article is a great way to begin your next article marketing campaign. If you enjoy writing, and have some expertise in a given field, then make article marketing an essential part of your online marketing strategy.