I remember when I first started building a web site on the Internet, I joined one of the free banner exchanges (i.e. Bannerswap, Linkexchange) to drive free traffic to my web site.

These banner exchanges generated some traffic to my sites, but nothing worthwhile.

Banner exchanges used to be popular in the early days of the Internet, but have recently declined due to the following reasons:

1. Surfers have now become immune to banner ads and click-thru
   rates have dramatically dropped.

2. Banner exchanges fail to bring targeted traffic to users' web
   sites.

3. Banner ads are becoming too obtrusive and people do not want
   to put them on their web sites anymore.

These factors listed above were key in the demise of the free banner advertising exchanges.

The next thing that came along was exit exchanges.  Exit exchanges work the some way as banner exchanges.  For every exit window you show from your site, you get usually get (1) credit towards having your web site show up in an exit window on another web site.

This was considered more effective than banner advertising because it opened your web site right in front of the surfer.  But once again the problem with exit exchanges is that it does not drive targeted traffic to your web site.

Although some exit exchanges allow you to list your web site into a particular category, it still does not generate the type of quality traffic other methods can.

What Are The Best Methods For Targeted Traffic?

There are a number of ways that you can drive *targeted* traffic your web site.

1. Email marketing is considered one of the best methods of
   reaching targeted individuals.  Many top marketers buy solo
   ads in other ezines to promote their products and services.
   It is also important to have your own in-house email list,
   If you want to learn how to start your own ezine, then go to:
   <http://www.ezmoneywithezines.com>

2. Search Engines are still valuable if you can get listed in a
   favourable position for the desired keywords that you need.
   Search engines are always changing their listing algorithms,
   which makes it tough to stay in a high position.  Search
   engine optimization services can help you design a web site
   that will get you listed in a high position.

3. Pay-Per-Click Search Engines are becoming a very popular tool
   to generate targeted traffic.  You only paying for clicks to
   your site.

The above three methods work very well, but cost money.  You can buy solo ads in other ezines for a fairly cheap price. Some ezines charge as low as $1 CPM to reach their audience.  Search optimization services can end up being costly and sometimes they do not guarantee placements for the long-term.  Pay-per-click search engines also require money and may not bring visitors to your site as quickly as you want.

One thing that I have noticed is that people are cheap (including myself) and hate having to spend money on the advertising.

But there are still ways to take advantage of the three methods I have mentioned above.

There are ezines that will offer you free ads every week.  This is a good way to reach targeted individuals without spending a dime.

You can purchase a resource that lists a variety of ezines that offer free weekly ads.  The combined circulation of all these ezines is over 440,000 readers.

Click here to get this guide:
http://www.freecoolcash.com/cgi-bin/lnkinlte.cgi?l=ezine

Submit Express <http://www.submitexpress.com> will allow you to submit your site to 40 top search engines for free.  If you like their services, you can purchase their premium services.

Some pay-per-click search engines are now setting up affiliate programs where they will pay you to put a search form, direct link, or pop-up window at your web site.  You can have any monies that you earn transferred into your bidding account and bid on targeted keywords.

Here are a few pay-per-click search engines that allow you to do this:

BulletBid.com
<http://www.bulletbid.com>

goClick
<http://www.goclick.com>

PPC Searches.com
<http://www.ppcsearches.com>

My feeling is that pay-per-click search engines will increase in popularity and that they will become vital to a successful marketing campaign.

Good luck with your marketing efforts!