Getting More Hits
So you've got your site up and chugging along nicely, but you hit a speedbump - where are all the visitors?! How come sites like Swimchick and Outspoken Kate get hundreds of thousands of hits a day and you're lucky to get three? Well, there are a few things you can do to get more visitors on your site.
Offer More Content.
Maybe it's your tiny content page, comprised totally of icons. Remember that if people like a resource of yours, but don't know how to use it just then, they will come back to find it later, and they will also return so that they can find any new content of the same style. Offering lots of useful content will guarantee regular and numerous visits, unique and hits alike.
Advertising.
Advertising your site on other people's site, by applying for advertising (and normally advertising them back), can generate lots of hits for your site - but be warned, some sites hide their advertising or have it among millions of other buttons (sisters, affies, friends, link exchanges) that yours will not be distinguished enough, and you'll have cheated yourself out of an advertising spot.
Great Blogs.
Having funny, insightful or just plain interesting blogs will generate lots of comments, and lots of return visits. Also, if word gets out that you've got the best blog on the block, lots of people will come to check it out and comment, as well as looking at content you have created that you advertise on your blog.
Competitions.
Getting into competitions can bring lots of hits to your site through voters and fellow competitors. Entering competitions can be a great way to show off your graphic skill and to show off your site. Plus, winning competitions is just plain fun.
Directories.
Listing your site at directories can be a good way for people to find you if they need your kind of site. You will have to provide a link back to the directory. One reason I don't list my site at directories is this: ask yourself, do you go browsing through the telephone directory? No? Exactly. It doesn't generate a whole lot of hits, but is well worth it in some cases.
Affiliation.
Now, I'm not advertising applying to be affiliates just for hits (that's just plain rude), but if you're #1 on the affiliates list at, say, saruna.net, you're going to get some hits. Probably major hits. Affiliation can get you hits, but that's no sole reason to apply.
Plugboards
One of the most ineffective but still commonly used method of getting hits is plugging your site on a plugboard. This is where you simply type in your site and button URL and you are put at the top of a list. The problem is, the next person who plugs their site is on the top. Eventually you are pushed off the board and, just so you know, nobody actually clicks on the buttons.
Search Engines
If you are on a sub/domain, you are probably already listed on most search engines, but if you are on a free host, it is likely that you don't come up, even if you search your site name. For this reason there are pages like "Add My Site" on Google, where you can add your URL and meta tags to the search engines so that people can find you. REMEMBER that if you do this, put the search tags that are most relevant to your site; eg, if you have lots of PSDs, put PSDs as one of your tags, instead of just Resources.
There are many ways to get more hits, but hanging around, getting lots of affiliates and even more content can see your site rise to be visited lots on a regular basis.