Web promotion

[Matt Machell]

This a tangent to the HTML thread, but I thought it could do with some discussion as most of us have web pages.

Once you have your cool and funky indie RPG webpage how do you get people there?

Typical methods of getting visitors (and keeping them):

• Search engines: This needs some knowledge of how to optimise your pages for different search engines. http://www.searchenginewatch.com is a good start.
  
  
• Free publicity on other websites: Link exchanges, RPG.net's ads and open promo, RPG related directories, web rings etc. Useful because they are targeted at people who will have at least a vague interest in your site.
  
  
• Newsletters: Get people to drop you their email address, and when you update you send out a mailshot. People will often find a website, then forget about it. This sort of thing reminds them you exist.
  
  
• Forums like this one: They're addictive, aren't they?
  
  
• Responding to email: People like the fact that you can be bothered. If you can't, who's to say the site isn't dead.
  
  [/list:u]
  
  That's just some basic points to get the discussion going. What advice, experiences or opinions does anybody else have?
  
  
  Matt
  
  
  
  
  _________________
  http://www.realms.org.uk
  Home of Lost Gods and Agency 13
  
  [ This Message was edited by: Matt on 2001-09-06 08:03 ]

[Ron Edwards]

TRADE LINKS, TRADE LINKS, TRADE LINKS, with other sites. Webrings weren't a bad idea a few years ago, although I don't know about now.

Secondary to that, set up an email or forum discussion and keep on it; consider that a part-time job.

And by contrast: banner ads (the kind that set up some bogus click-through deal), print ads, paid presence on search engines, and anything else that "sort of promises" you hits are TOTAL bullshit.

I just tested google, and my game site is the FIRST hit that comes up for a Sorcerer search. (Clay's webdesign may be involved there.) But I did not submit anything to them or pay any "google fee" to have that occur. A search engine that requires registry is nothing but a scam.

Best,
Ron

[ This Message was edited by: Ron Edwards on 2001-09-06 10:32 ]

[Matt Machell]

And by contrast: banner ads (the kind that set up some bogus click-through deal), print ads, paid presence on search engines, and anything else that "sort of promises" you hits are TOTAL bullshit.

Yeah I'd agree with you on this, especially as there is so much free publicity out there.

[Emily Dresner]

Read the 'zine pages for promotion tricks for your game.  Do a search on google for "zine promotion," and it should turn up a few dozen links.  Of course, most of them lead to scams, but there are articles out there.

There used to be some good articles on publicizing websites on http://www.zinebook.com.  

I'm really more of a zine person than a gaming person.  I like to write about weird, wiggy stuff that makes people go "buh."  So I know all these nooks and crannies on the net.

[Philippe Tromeur]

SEARCH ENGINES
In fact, almost all search engines have a delay before showing your site on their database. Some of them propose you give them money to accelerate the process but, hey, you can be a bit patient.

Google is incredibly reliable and complete ; it scans your whole site (even the pdf files) and all sites you link to !
Sometimes you might be surprised to find on google a page you've never publicised, but it's there (such as my really incomplete page about Maelstrom storytelling).

To submit my site, I use http://www.submitexpress.com/ which automatically submits your site on 40 search engines, for the price of maybe some ads (you have to give you e-mail address, but it's the same thing everywhere) and a small banner on your site if you feel generous (I do).


OTHERS
- be patient
- do not spam forums, but give lots of "subtle hints" when it's on topic ("By the way, I've made a web site about ...")
- share links and ideas with other web sites ("I like this 'avant guard' idea and wish to use the basics for my own game ...")
- participate into some web-based projects and make people remember (even subliminally) your name
- make very different things on your website and link every page with one another

[Tyrant]

Almost silly, but has anyone considered setting up a net portal?

Easier than trading links... (of which I am more than willing to do..) I just noticed Jason has a link to the Abyss on his little fears site (Thank you)

If anyone wants me to post a link of theirs just let me know

[Matt Machell]

Just another note on Google (since people are mentioning it). It ranks based on how many people link to you, so if you exchange lots of links, you get higher on their searches.

Other search engines work on different methods. http://www.icehousedesigns.com/engines/ has a nice summary.


Since we're on the topic, I recently added a load of links to my site, if anybody wants one too, they only have to ask.


Matt

[Marco]

The day we (JAGS) came up on Google we had a little party! Then it didn't show up again ... then it did ... weird.

Forums are good. We've had some success with Usenet: be aware--almost no matter what you post you *will* be flamed. Our product is free so we may not have gotten as much flack as we might've.

We're still looking. There are some sites:
http://www.rpggazette.com/index.html
That print RPG press releases. Lots of free RPG sites (dunno how much traffic they get).

-Marco
[you can check out our free, universal system at
http://jagsgame.dyndns.org/jags/index.jsp ]

[rpghost]

We have some very popular and proven methods to promote your sites at RPG Host. Most of which are FREE and a couple pay (you get what you pay for). You can find out more info at: http://www.rpgindustry.com/advertise.php

Also, we're running a special promo right now. All you have to do is put a link to CyberCon on your website and we'll give you 10,000 free impressions in our banner excahnge system. You have to signup here: http://www.rpghost.com/exchange - this exchange is on over 300 web sites.

Top site lists also work well, we have a host of them at http://www.rpgtopsites.com

Don't forget to make sure you're listed in our RPG search engine at: http://www.rpggateway.com

Hope that helps,
James
RPG Host Networks

P.S. We're still accepting indie game demos at CyberCon: http://cybercon.rpghost.com

[rpghost]

Oh, I forgot one more thing... We're thinking of placing a FREE section on http://www.rpgnow.com which would allow you to get exposure off that site by supplying us with a free module or add-on of your game system - all you have to do is place a link back to us on your site.

[ephealy]

[ This Message was edited by: ephealy on 2001-09-16 10:05 ]

[rpghost]

Sorry if it came out sounding like that... When I was reading this theard it sounded like people wanted ways to help promote their sites/games. We offer tons of that for free and that was my point. I get nothing in return - just that we help out the industry.

Sorry for sounding so spammy. :smile:

James