How do I get the users to visit my website?
If you've ever considered starting your own e-commerce or community based website, you'll eventually have this question. When considering starting a user heavy community, e-store or subscription based website it's important to consider your project in 4 initial stages.
1. Create your idea and do the market research. While you may think your idea is great, and your friends may agree, it's especially important to ensure you poll non-biased potential users of your site. This will decrease initial complaints and allow you to start your new website off on the right track. You can conduct market research using forums, doing surveys or even hiring a marketing company or consultant.
2. Invest in a good website. Find a designer you like and know that you can easily get ahold of when you need to. Also find out what their long term approach to your website maintenance will be. This is especially important for a user friendly website on a continuing basis. As technology and trends advance so should your website. When looking for your designer don't be fooled by the cheapest possible price and check out their portfolio carefully.
4. Market your website. So you now have yourself a good idea and a beautiful website. This is where some people stop. Unfortunately, users will not know your website is there unless you somehow bring it to them. This is where social networking sites, forums, blogs and SEO/SEM (search engine optimization/marketing) come in. Additionally, promotional things like grand opening discounts, contests and fun things will entice new users to join now rather than later.
5. Review. Any social website will tell you that review and upkeep are the tips to maintaining a successful website. If your users have suggestions, listen. And if new trends surface, jump on them. And always review your competitors. The internet has made success attainable for anyone, but when one idea succeeds there is always a few clones trying to take its place. Constant review of your website will keep you ahead of the trend.
A question we hear often: Can I sell advertising?
The answer, probably not immediately. A company who wishes to advertise online will want to ensure that it's a worthy expenditure. If you are a new website you won't have established a large amount of users and you won't be rated highly on the search engines. This makes paid advertising a tough sell until you can prove that it's worth it. A good way to get started if you'd like to make some money off of advertising is to display Google Ads on your website using Google Adsense. More information about that here: https://www.google.com/adsense/
The most important point is, don't be discouraged! Especially if the users don't come immediately. It can take a year or more to gain some wind. Do you think Facebook started with millions of users? Put together a good marketing plan and you'll get there too. Good luck!
1. Create your idea and do the market research. While you may think your idea is great, and your friends may agree, it's especially important to ensure you poll non-biased potential users of your site. This will decrease initial complaints and allow you to start your new website off on the right track. You can conduct market research using forums, doing surveys or even hiring a marketing company or consultant.
2. Invest in a good website. Find a designer you like and know that you can easily get ahold of when you need to. Also find out what their long term approach to your website maintenance will be. This is especially important for a user friendly website on a continuing basis. As technology and trends advance so should your website. When looking for your designer don't be fooled by the cheapest possible price and check out their portfolio carefully.
4. Market your website. So you now have yourself a good idea and a beautiful website. This is where some people stop. Unfortunately, users will not know your website is there unless you somehow bring it to them. This is where social networking sites, forums, blogs and SEO/SEM (search engine optimization/marketing) come in. Additionally, promotional things like grand opening discounts, contests and fun things will entice new users to join now rather than later.
5. Review. Any social website will tell you that review and upkeep are the tips to maintaining a successful website. If your users have suggestions, listen. And if new trends surface, jump on them. And always review your competitors. The internet has made success attainable for anyone, but when one idea succeeds there is always a few clones trying to take its place. Constant review of your website will keep you ahead of the trend.
A question we hear often: Can I sell advertising?
The answer, probably not immediately. A company who wishes to advertise online will want to ensure that it's a worthy expenditure. If you are a new website you won't have established a large amount of users and you won't be rated highly on the search engines. This makes paid advertising a tough sell until you can prove that it's worth it. A good way to get started if you'd like to make some money off of advertising is to display Google Ads on your website using Google Adsense. More information about that here: https://www.google.com/adsense/
The most important point is, don't be discouraged! Especially if the users don't come immediately. It can take a year or more to gain some wind. Do you think Facebook started with millions of users? Put together a good marketing plan and you'll get there too. Good luck!
