If You Build It, Will They Come?: Why Your Website Is Only the Beginning
“If you build it, they will come.”
This iconic line from the movie Field of Dreams has become synonymous with the idea that if you create something, success will naturally follow. But when it comes to building a website for your small business, the reality is that simply putting in the effort to create a website is not enough to guarantee that customers will start flocking to it.
You’ve spent a ton of money and/or hours perfecting your website, and you’re convinced it’s the best darn website your industry has ever seen. But now what? Just because you’ve put in all the hard work, doesn’t mean the customers are going to start pouring in. Sorry to break it to you, but a killer website is just the first step.
So, what can you do to make sure that your website is seen by potential customers and drives traffic to your business? Here are a few tactics to consider:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
One of the most effective ways to get your website in front of potential customers is through search engine optimization (SEO). This involves making your website and its content super attractive to search engines like Google. By using relevant keywords, creating top-notch content, and optimizing your website’s technical elements (like its loading speed and mobile responsiveness), you can improve your search engine rankings and make it more likely that your website will show up when someone searches for a product or service that you offer.
Content Creation
Another way to drive traffic to your website is through content creation. This could be blogging, creating infographics, or producing video content. By creating valuable, informative content that is relevant to your business, you can attract visitors to your website and establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your personality and give your business some much-needed flair.
Email Marketing
If you’re collecting email addresses from customers and prospects (which you should be!), you can send newsletters or promotional emails to drive traffic to your website. Make sure to create engaging, visually appealing emails that include links back to your website and relevant calls to action. Segmenting your email list and personalizing your emails can also help to improve their effectiveness.
Social Media Marketing
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are powerful tools for driving traffic to your website. By creating and sharing interesting, engaging content on these platforms, you can attract followers who are interested in your business and are more likely to visit your website. You can also use social media advertising to target specific audiences and drive traffic to your website. Just make sure you’re not coming off as a total salesperson – nobody likes that.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Partnering with other businesses or organizations can be a great way to expose your website to a new audience and drive traffic. Consider reaching out to complementary businesses or organizations and proposing a collaboration or partnership. This could take the form of a guest blog post, co-branded content, or even just a simple link exchange.
Reviews and User Generated Content
Encouraging customers to create and share content about your business, such as reviews or social media posts, can be a powerful way to drive traffic to your website. By leveraging the power of word-of-mouth marketing, you can tap into the influence of your satisfied customers and get more eyes on your website. Consider offering incentives or rewards for customers who create and share content about your business, and make it easy for them to do so by including social media sharing buttons on your website and in your emails.
Pay-per-click (PPC) Advertising
Paid advertising, also known as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, is another way to drive traffic to your website. With PPC, you can create online ads that will be displayed on search engines or other websites, and you’ll only pay when someone clicks on your ad. This can be one of the most effective ways to get your website in front of potential customers and drive traffic to your business, but it can also get very expensive, depending on your industry.
Building a website is an important step for any small business, but it’s not the only step. To get the most out of your website and drive traffic to your business, you’ll need to take a multi-faceted approach that includes SEO, content creation, social media marketing, and possibly even PPC advertising.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need some help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Aledor. We can help you develop a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that will drive traffic and help you reach your business goals.