Launching a new site.....what should be on my list?

[PrettyPaws]

Hi Guys,

I'll be launching a new site very soon and at the moment am putting all the stuff together for our launch. The site is just getting the final design and will be up before the end of the month.

If you could put one thing on my "to do" list for the launch what would it be? I'd like to get traffic as quickly as possable (without paying for it ;))

Any ideas would be most helpful

Gaz

[davidshaw89]

add the link to any online social group which you regularly use.

Quickest way would be Google adwords though, although not free.

[Mike Seddon]

Article marketing or a clever piece of PR

[zsazsab]

If you currently have a list of prospects, you can send them an email announcing the launch of your website and your services.

Where I work, this always works in getting the word out. Just make sure you have a targeted list so you actually drive traffic from people who might need your services.

[PrettyPaws]

Article marketing or a clever piece of PR

I've wrote an article and some press releases....how clever they are I'm not sure lol ;)

Keep em coming guys! Thanks! :)

[fisicx]

Lots and lots of user testing. Make sure you have identified as many problems as possible before you launch so that your visitors convert from day 1.

Spam the forums and blogs - that will bring in lots of visitors but since 99.9% of them won't be targeted don't expect to sell anything.

There are no easy routes to getting lots of traffic and even if there were it wouldn't take long before everyone was doing it which means it would soon become ineffective. The primary way to get targetted traffic is still to pay for advertising. If you have done all your used testing then you will know that the visitors will convert so you shouldn't lose too much (might even make a profit).

[tb1234]

A big party with an open bar would be perfect - pm me the details.

A launch competition, could be part of the clever PR.

[Marky]

There are normally quite a few people online offering free credits for new accounts Adwords / Yahoo SM / facebook - which you could potentially trial and use for your launch ( they get paid a referal fee by them ) if you are interested I can see if I know of any - others here may have some codes/links they can share

I just googled 'adwords voucher code' and there looked like a couple of people may have some free credit codes - they will normally be from £20-£50 (one use only) and the activiation fee of £5 can come out of it. Try this for any more/ other ppc engines

[Kneoteric_eSolutions]

The idea would be to build some buzz around the launch. The first motive should be to get people come and visit your website. How about starting a blog and writing around the topic of your new website? You can integrate the blog with your website once it is live. Or maybe have an exclusive pre launch offer if that is applicable to your business. A few press releases should also do some good.

I am hoping that you have already considered SEO as a method of promotion, and incorporated SEO elements in the website design and its usability.

[accessoperator]

Hi Guys,

I'd like to get traffic as quickly as possable (without paying for it ;))

Any ideas would be most helpful

Gaz

Hi Gaz,

There are a lot of free on line business directories you can add you business details and website domain name to. If your details are added correctly it will increase your search engine listings and doesn't cost a penny. If you email me I will send you a list of the best ones to use.

[fisicx]

None of the ideas offered so far will bring in any visitors. They may help your SE visibility but the chances of you hitting the ground running is almost zero unless you spend some money on promotion.

[davidshaw89]

None of the ideas offered so far will bring in any visitors. They may help your SE visibility but the chances of you hitting the ground running is almost zero unless you spend some money on promotion.

ahem...

Quickest way would be Google adwords though, although not free.

I should also mention, that if done correctly, paying for visitors through adwords can be a better return on investment than most other paid methods of advertising. (obviously depends on the market you are in, competition etc)

[fisicx]

ahem...

My mistook, should have said the 'last few suggestions'. I agree 100% with you - if you need lots of qualified traffic fast then the best way is to pay for it.

[PrettyPaws]

None of the ideas offered so far will bring in any visitors.

Disagree

My mistook, should have said the 'last few suggestions'.

Agree, thanks so far guys. I have a few ideas for sure.

[JustOneUK]

If you could put one thing on my "to do" list for the launch what would it be? I'd like to get traffic as quickly as possable (without paying for it ;))


Two things actually....

Number1..... think long and hard whether you have the right domain name for your business, preferably one that has your keyword(s) in the name.

Number2.... stick a wordpress blog on it and ping it around stumbleupon

all the best with it

James.

[fisicx]

Disagree

Maybe my dismissal of the ideas needed a little more explaining. If you post on blogs or comment then the sort of visitor you will get will be the window shopper, just having a quick skim to see what you have. The directory listing would be more targetted but the teraffic numbers will be minimal. Social bookmarking and the such is again a scatter gun approach. The end effect will be some browsing visitors but not the sort to buy.

You wanted lots of visitors fast. Would it not be better to aim for lots of potential customers. In other words narrow the marketing scope and only promote the site to those who are interested in your products/services.

[Coderea]

Just a quick and small suggestion..

Make sure you upload the robots.txt file if you are looking to optimize your site for search engines..
This is a tiny task which most of the webmasters forget while optimizing their site.!

[PaddyPawsPetServices]

http://www.prettypawsaccessories.co.uk/doggy-art-25-c.asp

tsk tsk. no Rough Collies :eek:

[JustOneUK]

You wanted lots of visitors fast. Would it not be better to aim for lots of potential customers. In other words narrow the marketing scope and only promote the site to those who are interested in your products/services.
Very good point (made many times by Fisicx in the past) that you should worry about the QUALITY of the visitors as much as [if not more] than you worry about the quantity.

I'd rather 100 visitors and 100 sales than 10,000 visitors an no sales.

[PrettyPaws]

Two things actually....

Number1..... think long and hard whether you have the right domain name for your business, preferably one that has your keyword(s) in the name.


Check, I've got a great domain name :D