While registering with search engines is important, it is not the only way to promote your website, if you want to get real sales.

The simple truth is that even people who use the Internet regularly, are not always familiar with the best ways to use search engines. Or they may not be using them. Or they may not be using the search term you think they should be using to find you. And, of course, with the size of the Internet, and the amount of results that can be returned by search engines, being listed highly in Search Engines is becoming more and more difficult every day - so they may simply not find you, even if you are listed.

Much more potent therefore can be some very simple rules which ensure you will be found in the real world. Never forget that while you can have customers on the other side of the world, getting the ones around the corner to add products to your online shopping cart can be much easier - and just as lucrative.

If you have a bricks and mortar shop, put up a sign with your Internet address in your window, so that passing traffic and all your customers can see it. Someone driving past may have no time to stop now, but can visit your web site later. A customer may remember the address and use it next time, instead of ending up on your competitor's website.

Do you advertise in magazines or newspapers? Do you have business cards, letter heads, business envelopes or use brochures? If you are selling online always include your web address on all of these. Are you listed in the White or Yellow Pages? Ask if they also list Internet addresses.

There are many similar low cost methods to promote your Internet shop in the real world. One of my favorite ones is the shop owner who created card board coasters with his website details and gave them free of charge to pubs. Of course this suited his business, and the pubs didn't mind using his free coasters.

Even in the offline world you can market your website without having to spend an arm and a leg. If you do it properly, you can have a big impact with only a small investment.