If you have website, it is critical that over the course of time you build up the viewership or the audience of your site. If we were to assume that your site already has the best layout, content, has optimized visual appeal and is very user-friendly, without having actual people to see what your site has to offer, then all those merits would be futile.

Let us quickly go through some of common free techniques you can utilize to start building up traffic to your site.

• Keyword Research. This is based on the principle that you write your content based on what people are looking for when then inquire the search engines. You can use Google Keyword Tools or other similar services.
• Search Engine Optimization. This is related to the keyword research you have undertaken. You then optimize your page on site through keyword densities, or the 3% repetition of your in about each of your posts, specifying alt tags, defining h1, h2 and h3 tags, bolding and underlining keywords. Off page SEO involves creating back links that point to the merit of your site.
• Forum Marketing. When you participate in various online discussions in various communities that tackle relevant subjects, the member of that particular community will recognize your contribution and will check out what you have to offer or what you represent. That is where you have the opportunity to place a signature link below each of your posts so that through it, they can visit your site. A word of caution though, please do not join forums for the sole purpose of leaving links to your site. That would be spamming and it can get you banned.
• Article Marketing. You can write article and valuable content related to your site. It is best to offer real value to your reader by offering facts and information that would be helpful, that would build your credibility and personal branding over time. Submit this to the various article directories such EzineArticles, GoArticles, IdeaMarketers, Article Alley, Buzzle and the other high page rank directories. It helps tremendously that you write titles that are keyword rich. Include a resource box in each article the links that point back to your site. This activity builds the back links that point to your site and it helps you achieve off-page SEO.
• Social Networking. Join the social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and in your profiles you can specify your URL. Occasionally, you can share specific links to your friends, contacts and followers.
• List Building. The fortune is in the follow up. You should endeavor to build your own email mailing list over time. It does not end in just capturing the names and addresses. You have to build relationship through regular communications.

Do not waste time. You have no reasons not to employ these techniques because they are free anyway. In time, when the traffic to your site grows and gains momentum, you will be glad you did.