Whether you make a website using a website builder or create a web page from scratch, the next question you’ll typically ask yourself is “how do I get more people to my site?” Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to deal with the challenge of bringing in visitors and customers to your new business. Here are a few to get you started:
Submit to Search Engines
The first thing you want to do once you make your own website is tell the search engines the site exists. The “big 3” are Google, Yahoo!, and Bing, and each one has a page that lets you submit your URL directly to them.
Google – http://www.google.com/addurl/
Yahoo! – http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/submit
Bing – http://www.bing.com/docs/submit.aspx
Use Your URL – Everywhere
Your URL (www.yourdomainname.com) is now just as important as your business name, so wherever your business name goes make sure your URL goes too. That means in your email signature, advertisements, letterhead, marketing pieces, shopping bags, business cards, etc.
Comment on Blogs
Chances are that if you create a web page, there’s someone out there who is blogging about a similar or related topic. Most bloggers allow comments on their posts and the comments get read by their visitors. Start contributing to the conversation with thoughtful or useful comments and make sure to include your name and URL in your signature.
Exchange Links
If there are other websites that compliment your own, without necessarily competing for business, contact them and see if they’d be willing to link to you. Not only will you then be visible to their visitors, but the link will also help your ranking with search engines.
Local Search
If your location has an impact on your business, for example as a dog walker in Seattle, make sure to include yourself in local searches. Google Local Business Center is free and all you need is a Google Account to create your listing. When people search for the right keywords, your business will come up beside a map on the search results page.