Get as many links as you can You don't have to buy expensive ads on high traffic sites like Yahoo or Snap to get a good customer base. Most smaller websites are willing to provide links to your site if you do so in kind. So create a links page and get as many reciprocal links as you can. You can also use MSN's LinkExchange , LinksToYou , and countless other link exchange networks to generate link popularity. As your site gets linked up, your search ranking will climb.
Some companies hire staff to do nothing but acquire links on the Internet.
The bottom line to a successful web store is maintenance. If you keep a well-designed website that is easy to navigate, constantly add fresh and relevant content, make it easy to buy your products and take care of your customers, you should have no problem growing your website into a thriving Internet business. Be warned, however, that the competition is fierce and it will not happen overnight. It takes constant nurturing, marketing and patience to make a website grow in popularity.