Your website can make or break your start-up, as it’s often the first thing potential clients see of your brand. There’s no point launching a half-built website and then trying to get around to updating it, as this could put people off your startup and make it look like a hobby website rather than a serious business. So, how do you launch a website that’ll make a great first impression for your start-up?
1. Build buzz around your launch
Think of launching your website as being the same as opening a shop. You want people to get excited for its launch and to be anticipating the day it goes live. Social media is great for this task, as it allows you to reach out to people with niche interests and to target sponsored posts to narrow audiences. Build a social media following and give your potential clients sneak peeks of the new websites as well as incentives to be early customers. It’s important not to spam their newsfeed, as they’ll tire of your brand before it launches, but you should post enough to build excitement.
2. Ensure your website is fit for purpose
Nothing is more embarrassing than launching a website, having potential customers ready to spend their hard-earned cash, and finding it can’t cope with the amount of traffic or simply doesn’t work. Check out companies such as Onyx Hosting who can help your website cope with traffic and ensure it stays open for business.
3. Have a content plan
Even if your website is beautiful and works well if it’s devoid of content, people aren’t going to spend much time on it, and they may not come back either. Make sure you have a few pieces of interesting and relevant content on your page from day one, and make a content and social media plan that’ll keep people engaged.
4. Do some networking
Networking can be extremely valuable when you’re launching a brand-new website. Think of some people you already know who work in your industry, and reach out to them about the project. You may also want to build a street team or use influencers to gain buzz around certain products and services that you offer.
Local media outlets and niche news sites often cover the launches of new start-ups. Find out how to write a press release, or have one written by a professional copywriter, and send it out to as many relevant contacts as you can.
5. Focus on what you do best
The key to getting conversions is to clearly define your niche and market to it. Whether it’s based on age, location or a particular hobby or industry, you should stay on brand when you’re leading up to launch day. This will give you the best possible chance of breaking into the marketplace and becoming the brand that people think about when they need something in particular.
Your start-up’s website is a lot like a shopfront, even if you’re not involved in ecommerce. It gives people an idea of who you are and who you represent, and that’s why it’s so important to do the launch well and build your brand as much as possible while you’re new.
