Guide to Website Marketing
From Static to Profitable
As a Web Content Manager and Designer, I've seen countless beautifully designed websites fail to generate results because they're treated like digital business cards instead of marketing tools.
Your website should work for you. Think of a static website like a poster in an empty room - it might look great, but if nobody sees it or takes action, it's not helping your business grow.
While proper SEO optimization will help drive traffic to your site, that's just the first step in creating a profitable online presence.
To reach its potential, you must understand that the day your site goes live is just the start, not the project’s completion.
Gaining Momentum
Building website traffic takes time - here's what to expect:
Once a new website launches, it could take Google three months or more to index it. Think of indexing as Google's way of cataloging your website's content - without it, your pages won't show up in search results.
An indexed site will appear like this in search results:
Websites usually see some indexing within a few days to weeks, but complete indexing can take longer depending on these factors:
- Quality and frequency of content updates: Regular, high-quality content shows Google your site is active and valuable
- Backlinks: These are like votes of confidence from other websites
- Sitemap submission: This helps Google find and understand all your pages
- Website structure and SEO: A well-organized site with proper meta tags makes it easier for Google to index
Here are proven ways to utilize your website:
Local Promotion
Business Directories
Search online for local or international business directories to sign up for. Paid ones that are selective and have strict standards are more reputable and offer higher quality backlinks.
Some reputable business directories to consider:
- Chamber of Commerce websites
- Industry-specific directories
- Local business associations
Google Business
To improve local rankings, registering your site with Google Business is a must. It requires a physical address, and you’ll appear on a result page with a marker on Google Maps.
Get Reviews
This is a top factor for a good local search engine presence. Ask customers for reviews and make it easy for them to write one by sending the website, Google, Facebook, or Tripadvisor review link with a short message.
Choose the most relevant platforms for your business; the ones that best complement your marketing goals.
General Promotion
SEO
Ensure your website has proper SEO setup by focusing on these key areas:
- Technical SEO: Site speed, mobile-friendliness, and secure HTTPS
- On-page SEO: Optimized titles, meta descriptions, and headers
- Content SEO: Quality content that answers user questions
- Local SEO: Location-specific keywords and content
You can audit these areas using tools like:
- Google Search Console (free): For basic site performance and indexing issues
- Ahrefs or SEMrush (paid): For in-depth keyword and competitor analysis
- Google PageSpeed Insights (free): For site speed optimization
Read more on Boosting Your Blog's SEO: 9 Steps for Non-Techies.
Link building
Getting other websites to link back to you is crucial for website promotion. The best way to get people to link back to you is to:
- Ensure your content is high quality and compelling.
- Network with other site owners to earn natural backlinks.
- Write articles for reputable niche websites, including a link back to your site.
- As mentioned before, list your site on reputable directories.
Social Media
Utilize the platforms important for your business. Don’t open social media accounts on every platform, only those that serve your marketing strategy. This way, you can focus on the accounts your target audience uses. Social media management can gulp up all your time, so you want to minimize effort and maximize results.
Content Marketing
Your website is the backbone of your marketing, and adding a blog opens new potential in several ways:
- Increased Traffic: Each blog post is a new entry point for search engines
- Expertise Showcase: Share your industry knowledge to build trust
- Lead Generation: Use blog content to capture email addresses
- Social Media Fuel: Blog posts provide shareable content for social platforms
- Customer Education: Answer common questions to support sales
Read more on How a Blog Can Transform Your Marketing Strategy.
Email Marketing
Email marketing lets you build direct relationships with your audience. Start by creating a subscriber list, then share:
- Valuable industry insights
- New blog posts
- Company updates
- Special promotions
This direct connection with your audience remains one of the most effective marketing tools available.
Around 87% of brands say email marketing positively impacts their business. Personalized emails, which increase engagement by 760% for some brands, boost open rates when segmented and customized for each subscriber. Mobile optimization is also crucial, with mobile devices accounting for nearly 60% of email opens.
Paid Ads
Paid advertising effectively reaches targeted audiences on platforms where they spend their time, like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Start with a small paid advertising budget to test different platforms.
Through Google Ads, businesses can display ads to users based on specific search queries, targeting keywords relevant to their products or services.
On social media, social ads let you target users based on detailed demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Google and social media ads offer measurable results, allowing you to track performance, optimize for better results, and increase ROI.
Conclusion
Your website is an investment that can deliver significant returns when properly promoted. Whether you're implementing all these strategies or just getting started, each step you take moves you closer to a more profitable online presence. The key is to start taking action today.
Remember that website promotion is an ongoing process requiring consistent effort and monitoring. Use analytics tools to track results and adjust strategies. If these tasks overwhelm you, consider hiring a digital marketing professional. Stay patient and persistent - results often take 6-12 months.
A website for your business is essential for successful online marketing.
