Traffic is the lifeblood of e-commerce, that is. Moreover, the goal is to draw a multitude to your site. You may think that doing so will cost you a fortune but that will not be the case if you follow advertising strategies that are cost-free.

First things first, remember this formula: offline advertising = online gain.

Advertising for free is just around the corner. In fact, you can use your innate talent to complement your site. Writing press releases, articles and blog entries can do you a great favor. There are ample sites on the net that allow free distribution of press releases and articles. Blog tools are also swarming. Don't forget to incorporate your url every time you make posts or submissions.

Next stop - directories. Dmoz directory is an example of a free directory. Search and browse.

Participating in a forum discussion is also a good idea. By doing so, you can recommend your site or use your link text as signature to promote your url. Another edge is that you can learn from your fellow discussants.

Offering testimonials or referrals is another ideal strategy. In turn, you can also get their testimonials and referrals. Other forms of reciprocal strategies are link and banner exchanges. Do these exchanges with a reputable site which has equal or higher page rank than your site.

There are several doors of opportunities to gain an overwhelming traffic. Keep moving and enjoy traffic. Get it for free!