WEBSITE MYTH: If you build it, they will come.

WEBSITE FACT: No. No they won’t. *crickets chirping*

A common misconception about websites is that all you have to do is create the dang thing, and then once it’s officially launched out into the world, the riches will immediately begin flowing in.

While that surely sounds amazing, I can assure that that’s very rarely the way it goes.

Don’t get me wrong, launching your website is a huge feat (one you deserve massive applause for!) however, the launching part is only one piece of the bigger puzzle.

If the entirety of your launch strategy consists of “press launch and wait”, there’s a good chance your website will never see the light of day again. 😩

So, what’s the missing piece to getting your website noticed?

Promoting it (aka. TELLING people about it)!

But wait! Before you close the tab because “No, Corine, I’m not going to be a salesy salesman from Salesville and shove my website in everyone’s face”, let me reassure you that you do not need to be “salesy” to promote your website. (Read that again!)

Trust me, the thought of “promoting” quite literally makes me want to crawl under a rock… I don’t want to annoy people or come off as pushy, so for me, promoting often feels uncomfortable or even gross.

For that reason, I’ve come up with 3 non-salesy ways to promote your website and get noticed, no discomfort necessary. Each of these methods has one secret ingredient in common: Giving.

Because you know what’s not salesy? Giving.

By serving your audience in a giving way, you will be able to help them while ensuring they’re taking time to check your business out as well. It’s a win-win!

Here are 3 ways you can promote your website by giving:

Write and share a blog post

Blog posts are one of the best ways to promote your website because they can serve as a helpful resource for your audience.

By writing and sharing a blog post you are helping your audience to solve a problem they’re having, and positioning yourself (and your business) as an expert in your field. The more blog posts you have and the more often you share them, the more your audience will begin turning to your blog (and you) for your expertise.

Here are a few blog post ideas to get you started:

• Common questions and concerns people have when working with [your type of business]
• What you should do before working with [your type of business]
• 5 awesome benefits of hiring a [your type of business]

You know your audience best…

If your audience is itching for quick crockpot meals, maybe do a series of blog post on that.

If your clients are always asking you about x, y, and z – write a post about that.

Then remember, SHARE the post!

I share all of my blog posts on my social media pages the day they’re published. Then going forward, I share my previous published posts if/when I believe they can truly help someone with a problem they’re facing. It’s like giving someone a 1-on-1 lesson, but you don’t have to be there for it!

Discount or promo code

Probably the easiest way to promote your website is by offering a discount or promo code to a product or service that you offer.

By offering a one-time discount or promo to your website visitors, you’re giving them an opportunity to try out your product or service at a discounted price, with the obvious hope that they’ll absolutely adore it and come back for more.

Having a limited time associated with your discount is also a great way to encourage people to act now before they miss out. That’s not to say you couldn’t do another discount in the future, but adding a time frame will encourage people like me not to procrastinate.

Remember, you still need to TELL people about the discount. Just setting it up and failing to tell anyone it exists won’t do you any good.

Related Post: Your Website Isn’t Working: 5 Reasons Why

Create a downloadable freebie

Freebies (also knowns as ‘opt-ins’) are an excellent way to not only help your audience solve a problem, but also to collect their email information for future contact via something such as a newsletter. This is an especially excellent option for people with online businesses where you don’t have the opportunity to meet and connect with your audience in person.

Some examples of freebies include:

• Checklists
• Workbooks
• Training Guide
• Cheatsheets
• Templates
• Printable Planner

A downloadable freebie should provide your audience with an easy solution to a problem they’re having. Think about something that’s foundational to your business, but that your clients may not intuitively know or understand – but you do!

Here are a few freebie ideas that may work for different types of businesses, (with the business creating it in parenthesis):

• 7 Website Must-Haves Checklist (website designer)
• 4 Adorable Outfit Recommendations for your next photoshoot (photographer)
• My 3 Best Recipes for Football Season (food blogger)
• Your Ultimate Pre-Wedding Checklist (wedding coordinator)

Notice that all of these are will provide someone with a quick and easy solution, and are highly relevant to the business offering them. Keep it simple, but helpful.

And remember, you have to TELL people that your freebie exists if you want them to download it!

*Disclaimer: You MUST be sure you’re collecting (and using) their personal info (name, email address, etc) in the correct and legal way – this is dependent on where they live, not you!
Read up on the legal requirements of using a website opt-in so you know you’re not setting yourself up for trouble later.

Promotion doesn’t have to be salesy

Just because your website didn’t take off on Day 1 like you wished it would, doesn’t mean it can’t.

It’s time to get out there and get your website seen, and for the anxious promoters like me, there’s no better way to do so than by giving your audience something of value that will prove YOU are the professional (and hero) they need!

Whether you choose to write a blog post, offer a discount, or create a killer freebie – set it up, and be sure to share it. You’re not selling or being “salesy”, you’re genuinely helping your audience solve a problem on a topic that YOU just so happen to be an expert at. 🤓

Go get em, tiger!