This tough economy has made competition between businesses fierce. In answer to the call to be more competitive and to achieve profit, many businesses are advertising for free online. Online advertisements make increasing sense today, as more and more people are doing the bulk of their business online. Providing instant gratification, an online ad can draw people straight to your site as soon as they see it advertised. This turnaround provides a front of mind recognition to your business that can not only increase traffic to your site but can increase returns to your site with the intent to buy.

How you do successfully navigate advertising for free online? There are several options for this kind of advertising. The following tips are designed to help you make the most of this advertising medium.

1. Utilize free classified ads. Free classified ads are available through thousands of websites, and they provide another avenue for you to get word out about your business. These ads should be short, sweet and to the point. A succinct ad that catches a reader’s eye can optimize your success in this venue.

2. Article marketing is another tried and true technique for free advertising online. Write an article that in some way relates to your business, and then mention your business in your author bio. In this way, you have the opportunity to impress upon the potential customer that you are wise in the industry and can be trusted with their money.

3. Effectively utilize social networking sites. These sites can be a great way to get word out about your business to people who are not even actively searching for your products. On many of these sites, you can post advertisements to your own page. Sharing your success and updating your friends and extended network about interesting products can generate profitable dialogue for your business.

4. Start blogging immediately, and get word out about your business. Talk about the growth of your business, and frame even your struggles in a positive light. An interesting blog can help you create a network of readers who might also become customers. Many websites will help you create your blog for free and provide you with tips for greater readership.

5. Pick a venue for advertising online and make it really good. Rather than showering the internet with poorly written advertisements, select only a couple of sites and make your advertisements really pop. The higher quality your advertisement, article, or blog, the better it will rank on search engines. Some quantity is important, but quality is tantamount to success.

These tips are, pardon the pun, the tip of the iceberg in free advertising opportunities online. Get in on a growing advertising medium and get word out about your business today!