Web directories are effective ways of building PR (page rank) that helps websites get good rankings in the Google search engine. Google uses page ranks to grade the results based from the searches that visitors are making. Having a higher PR is having a better search result listing compared with others.

PR are based on the backlinks that you have and its quality. So it follows that the more backlinks you have, the higher your PR will be. You will also get better rankings in search engines.

To get a list of web directories, all you have to do is type in the your business niche keyword in the search engine along with the word “directory” or “links”. For e.g. fashion directory or gift baskets directory. Then, all you need to do is choose from among the number of lists given.

Social bookmarking websites like Orkut, MySpace etc. are very good places to bring traffic to your website as long your website suits the general favor of these websites. And keep in mind that people are really sick of MySpace bulletins announcing dozens of websites. So, unless you have a really great resource to share, don’t bombard people with emails.

Posting in forums has been and will always be a good way to share your website and invite traffic. But instead of posting your website in ‘Advertise Your Business’ section, it will be a good idea to make helpful and informative posts and let your signature promote your website in a dignified manner.

Regular distribution of newsletters is an essential tool to bring back visitors to your website. Your Newsletter or ezine serves as a reminder to your visitors and gives them an active link to click and visit your website instead of typing in your URL.

You should send out newsletters only to those who have subscribed through online subscripton forms on your website and never send out any unsolicited emails. Chances are that a person who subscribed to your newsletter liked your website but has failed to visit your site for a long time.

Write and send out newsletters on a regular basis. Your newsletter can be monthly or weekly as long as it is of quality and hasuseful content for the readers.

Search Engine Optimization is a continuous process but here is a very basic checklist when launching a new website:

1. Relevant Keyword-Rich Titles for each page

2. Keywords

3. Description

4. Using Heading Tags in the content - e.g. H1, H2, H3 etc.

5. Keyword rich anchors for in-site links.

6. Use ALT tags for every image that you use.

7. Submit a Google Sitemap.

8. Building in-bound links by link exchanges, ad purchases, directory submissions, article submissions etc.

9. Good, Original and Quality Content. Nothing attracts search engines to a website than this.

10. Last, but not the least - Search Engine Submissions.