So now you're wondering, why is my website not getting many visitors?
After all that procrastination, you finally had a professional website designed and uploaded, but now you're asking "Why is my website not getting many visitors?" It's probably because you forgot to promote it!
Just because you have a great design and lots of useful content or unique products and services, don't assume you'll automatically have visitors to your website. Online marketing has become so competitive that, even with the best SEO implemented, online advertising is not enough. You need to promote your website offline as well.
This is particularly true if you are a new business. If no one has heard of you, you need to let them know you exist. Even if you are an established business, if your regular customers don't know you now have a web presence, you need to let them know.
Used effectively, traditional methods of advertising should drive visitors to your new website and continued offline advertising will remind previous customers to revisit your site.
10 offline marketing tools to boost traffic to your new website
1. Correspondence
Make sure you include your web address in all your correspondence. If you create your own stationery, and you've just launched a new website, don't forget to add your web address to the header. If you use printed stationery, don't forget to add your web address before the next print run. In the meantime, add your web address under your signature.
2. Packaging
If you are a retailer, always include your web address on your packaging. Previous customers who buy from your store, may not know your company has a web presence. When shipping items, invest in labels that include your company URL.
3. Business Cards
Make sure you include your business card in any shipments and give your card to anyone you meet. If you've just launched your website and don't have your company URL on your old card, it's worth investing in new business cards that include your web address. Don't just write or stick a label on the card. It does not look professional! Give your new card to all your previous customers when you see them and ask them to discard your old business card.
4. Targeted Print Material
Use targeted print material, such as newspaper and magazine ads, direct mailed brochures and flyers, to promote your website even if you are an established business. Now that you have a website ensure your web address is included prominently on all your print material. Encourage customers to visit your site by including a discount code for online purchases or letting them know about a printable online coupon. Nothing tempts people online faster than a discount!
5. Presentations/Handouts
If you hold a presentation, adding your web address to each page of the presentation or seminar handouts will help reinforce your company brand and web address.
6. Promotional Materials
Promotional materials and freebies remain effective advertising media. Since they have a long shelf life, branding them with your web address, as well as your logo and company name, will, in time, bring traffic to your website.
7. Submit an Article
Contact your local newspaper, consumer magazine or publication in your industry, and ask to submit an article. If you are a new business, most local newspapers offer free business profiles for start-ups. Newspapers, magazines and other publications are always looking for free articles as long as they provide useful information or are of interest to their readers. Make sure you list your website with your article.
8. Vehicle Display
If you own a company vehicle make sure your web address appears prominently. Use an easy-to-read and well-proportioned font so that the text is readable from a distance.
9. Help Wanted
When looking for new staff, include your web address in any employment ads.
10. Uniforms/Clothing
Reinforce your online presence by including your web address in any branded clothing or uniform worn by your staff or employees.
And, here's a bonus: don't forget to network, network, network
Even if you don't have a website, networking is a very important means of letting people in your community know your new business exists. Attend networking events at every opportunity. If you sell products or provide creative services, arrange to have a table top display at trade shows to showcase samples of your products or previous work. Make sure your web address appears prominently on your signage and hand out as many brochures, business cards, coupons or other promotional material as possible. Wherever you go, even if it's not an official networking event, park your company vehicle in a high-visibility area, wear your company uniform and mention your website to all new contacts you meet.
Need help with effective offline promotion of your website? Contact Kaz Design Works now!