Promoting your website can be very costly to say the least. But it doesn't have to cost thousands to build a successful online business. It just takes a bit of time and a lot of ingenuity.

Here are 5 clever and cost effective ways you can boost your visitor counts and your hopefully your bank accounts!

1.Cross Promoting Can Increases Profits.

This is how it's done. Find other businesses that have the same target market, but that are not direct competitors. Then propose a partnership. There are many ways to find prospective partners.

Subscribe to ezines, join discussion groups, forums and newsgroups that share your target market.You can also search in search engines and directories to find businesses that target your market.

Let your contact list and subscribers know that you are interested in cross promoting your products and services Post it on your Web site. Don't be shy!

There are many benefits to cross promoting. You will save money on advertising and marketing costs. It can save you time, work, help you get new referrals, customers plus access to new products and services.

2. Linking with a Twist.

It is important to get other sites to link to yours. It increases your popularity even your rankings. You can put a links page on your site but getting people to link to you with out some incentive is a different story. But if you add this little twist your sure to get the links.

Create a directory of websites on a specific topic. Give people the option of adding the directory to their web site by linking to it. Put your business advertisement at the top of the directory. This technique will give people a reason to link to your site by giving them added content for their visitors and it will get you free advertising.

3. Autoresponders Work Wonders.

Aweber and Get Response do this all the time. You get a free auto-responder they get to put their ad inside. So instead of just swapping ads trade auto-responder ads with other businesses. If both of you send out information with auto-responders just exchange a small classified ad to put at the bottom or top of each other's auto-responder message. This would work great with email courses too.

4 We all Need Good Content.

You need fresh content for your ezine or website why not exchange content with other web sites and newsletters. You could swap articles, tips, ect. You both include a resource box or a link at the end of the content. And both of you get more exposure.

5. Everyone Loves a Hot Tip.

So share yours daily, weekly whenever you can. You can offer them in a newsletter on a tip sheet or record them on your voice mail. Try ureach.com you can get a free voice mail account to get you going.

You can even have your tips syndicated. Try mastersyndicator.com. Just imagine your insightful information spreading all over the web!

Try to keep the tips relevant to your business. Include a link to your web site or business in the mix and you have got it made.

The whole idea is to promote your business without blowing your budget. These simple ideas are just the start. Take then, improve on them add your own special twist. The possibilities are endless! Now the only thing you need to do is go find partners. I'm always looking. :)

About the author: Lisa M Cope - a Work at Home Mom on a Mission! To help other parents learn how to build a Successful Business Online and the enjoy financial freedom it takes to stay at home with their children. Visit http://www.flipidy.com and get the resources you need to succeed! You can also subscribe to Flipidy News [email protected]