You have just created your website, and now it's time to launch it. You might think your work is done and feel satisfied with what you've accomplished. In reality, this is where the work truly begins. You need to keep your site active and, most importantly, ensure a successful launch.
Leverage Your Network
When you put your website online, make sure to spread the word. The simplest way to do this is by informing your family, friends, and professional partners. They will form your initial core group of visitors and will help spread the word. Sometimes, we hesitate to reach out due to modesty or fear of bothering them; most of the time, they won't mind and will be happy to lend a hand.
Letting your acquaintances know that you have a new website is particularly beneficial because you'll receive quick feedback. Someone you know is more likely to give you honest and straightforward feedback on what works well and what is less clear. Once your site is out in the open, you'll rarely receive feedback (positive or negative) from users; only statistics will provide qualitative insights.
Send a Mailing
Another effective way to introduce your site and inform your contacts is through a mailing. A targeted and interesting mailing can be very effective. Often, this tool is criticized because it is sent randomly to unfiltered email lists; consequently, the results are often poor.
If your email list is well-filtered and your mailing is clear, you can expect an open rate of over 20%.
Of course, for it to remain effective, a mailing requires a certain number of recipients. With fewer than 100 recipients, the interest remains low; but if you already have a list of 500 contacts, it remains an excellent means of communication.
Set Up an AdWords Campaign
And then? How do you make your website known to potential prospects? If your site's natural SEO can take several months to yield significant results, setting up an AdWords campaign can bring you traffic quickly. This allows you to be quickly visible on the first page and guarantees a certain number of clicks.
The principle is simple: you determine keywords, a budget, a duration, and your campaign is launched.
Leverage Your Notoriety
Your site may not be your first action on the web. You probably already have a Facebook profile, a LinkedIn profile, or maybe a Twitter account. Take advantage of these platforms to promote the launch of your website. This helps to expand your audience and generate new inbound links to your new site.