74 Ideas to Market Your Website and Get More Website Visitors

January 4, 2012 by Jennifer Bourn | 32 Comments

Website Marketing IdeasOnce your website is complete, it’s time to focus on marketing your website and getting people to your site.

After all, they can’t opt-in to your list, download your free offer, sign up for your free teleclass, register for your event, contact you, or buy from you if they never get to your website in the first place!

The old way of thinking, “If you build it, they will come.” Simply isn’t true.

There is so much competition on the internet these days that there are literally millions of other websites, opportunities, and distractions available that you have to complete with. If you just sit back and wait for people to find your website, you may be waiting a very, very long time.

Instead, your responsibility as a website owner and business owner is to get the word out there and market the heck out of your website and business so those people who are looking for and need what you’re offering can find you.

If you don’t like to market, you don’t want to promote yourself, or you’re hesitant to get you name out there in a big way, think of it this way – if you don’t you’re actually hurting and stealing from other people. In a way, you’re robbing them of the opportunity to get to know you, to learn what you do, and to get the help and solutions they have been looking for.

With that in mind, here’s a list of all kinds of things you can do to market your website and get the word out about your business:

  1. Attend networking events
  2. Join the board/leadership for a networking group
  3. Start a new networking group
  4. Host a seminar, workshop, or event
  5. Referrals from past and current clients
  6. Speak at events for leads
  7. Referrals from centers of influence
  8. Speak at events for free and sell from the stage
  9. Build relationships with centers of influence
  10. Speak for a fee
  11. Host a teleclass or telesummit
  12. Sponsor events and have a booth
  13. Be a guest on a teleclass or telesummit
  14. Publish content regularly to your own blog
  15. Host a webinar or video training
  16. Make your blog available on the Kindle
  17. Be a guest on a webinar or video training
  18. Publish guest blog posts on other blogs
  19. Send targeted press releases to media
  20. Link and/or ad exchange with another blog
  21. Leverage online press release distribution
  22. Comment on other blogs of influence
  23. Respond to HARO requests
  24. Create a Smart Phone app for your site/blog
  25. Leave testimonials on other sites
  26. Start a podcast and publish on iTunes
  27. Participate in Joint Ventures
  28. Create strategic partnerships
  29. Join boards with other centers of influence
  30. Volunteer and get involved in your community
  31. Participate in online forums
  32. Publish a print newsletter
  33. Article submission to online directories
  34. Publish an online or email newsletter
  35. Article submission to print publications
  36. Host a contest or giveaway
  37. Consistently improve your website
  38. Add new, valuable resources to your site often
  39. Send direct mail to your list
  40. Publish videos on YouTube and other video sites
  41. Send direct mail to a purchased list
  42. Get listed in trade/industry directories
  43. Send a warm letter or referral letter
  44. Serve as expert faculty for a group/association
  45. Be a guest on BlogTalk radio shows
  46. Optimize your website and content
  47. Be a local or national radio show guest
  48. Print brochures and display at partner businesses
  49. Be a local or national TV show guest
  50. Distribute and/or mail flyers
  51. Host an internet TV show
  52. Write and book and get published
  53. Create and market an affiliate program
  54. Write and self publish your own book
  55. Wear branded t-shirts with your URL
  56. Give away branded t-shirts with your URL
  57. Advertise on Radio and Television
  58. Advertise in print publications
  59. Advertise with swag in event goody bags
  60. Advertise with Google AdWords
  61. Advertise on Craigslist and classified sites
  62. Advertise with Google Image/Banner ads
  63. Advertise on authority website
  64. Advertise with Facebook ads
  65. Create an active network on Facebook
  66. Create an active network on Twitter
  67. Create an active network on LinkedIn
  68. Create an active network on YouTube
  69. Participate in LinkedIn Groups/Discussions
  70. Create an active network on Google+
  71. Answer LinkedIn Questions
  72. Write and share case studies and success stories
  73. Apply for awards and industry recognition
  74. Get featured as a case study or success story

While this list is pretty extensive, this isn’t nearly all of the different ways you can market your website and get your name out there. All you need to do is get thinking, get creative, and get moving!

Just Remember: DO NOT try to implement a whole bunch of the marketing strategies listed above at the same time – that’s a recipe for overwhelm and burnout!

Instead pick one or two you know you can commit to and get started. Give yourself time to find your groove, get comfortable with the skills, and make them a habit. Then add another marketing strategy, find your groove, get comfortable, make it a habit, and repeat.

Marketing isn’t a single event, it’s an ongoing process. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. You’ve got to get started and keep going. So if you need to, start small and take baby steps – you can always add more marketing strategies to the mix later.

FILED UNDER: Blogging & Blog Strategy, Marketing Tips & Marketing Strategy, Website Design Tips & Strategy
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    About the Authors: Jennifer and Brian Bourn owners of Bourn Creative, a Sacramento web design company, help established businesses build beautiful, feature-rich, custom WordPress websites and blogs, design powerful, personal brands, and help their clients learn to leverage their website and blog to attract more clients than they ever thought possible.


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    Feedback and Comments:

    1. Mary Ellen Miller

      Jan 04, 2012 at 03:42

      Thanks Jennifer and yes, some of these are on my to-do list for 2012!

      Reply

    2. Gina Bell

      Jan 04, 2012 at 03:44

      Woohoo Jennifer! I had to do a double-take to make sure I read the # 74 correctly. This list is a wonderful creative spark for entrepreneurs who tend to get stuck not knowing what to do. I’ll be passing along this resource to my community for sure! Thanks so much for putting it together! xo

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 05, 2012 at 01:55

        Thanks Gina – I’d love for you to share this resource!

        Reply

    3. Linda Pucci

      Jan 05, 2012 at 05:44

      This is so timely for me because I’ve JUST had a website revision that went live this week. I’m printing this off and keeping it handy. But thanks also for the reminder that I don’t have to do it all at once!

      Reply

    4. Tiffany deSilva

      Jan 05, 2012 at 07:09

      Great tips, Jennifer. I had to chuckle when I saw your line about thinking, “If I build it, they will come.” I’ve told that same line to many of my clients. The main point here is that you have to actively drive people to your website just. You can’t sit around waiting for people to discover you or stumble upon your site by chance.

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 05, 2012 at 01:54

        Exactly! Once a prospect told me that they had hired someone to redesign their website 6 months prior … and now they wanted to redesign it again. When I asked why, they simply said, “It isn’t working. No one is coming to my site.” When I asked them what they were doing to market their site, drive traffic to their site, and let people know that it exists, they went silent. They weren’t doing anything! Owning a website means you need to market a website :)

        Reply

    5. Brenda Stanton

      Jan 05, 2012 at 07:31

      Jennifer,

      What a fabulous list – so inspiring to read it. Printing out and highlighting certain ones that feel real right and authentic for 2012!

      Thank you for always providing such strategic, yet practical advice!

      Brenda xo

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 05, 2012 at 01:54

        WooHoo! Great idea :)

        Reply

    6. Kristina Shands

      Jan 05, 2012 at 10:43

      What a list! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve added a few items to my to-do list. Love all of the possibilities.

      Reply

    7. Jeff Brunson

      Jan 05, 2012 at 11:09

      Wow Jennifer! What a great and comprehensive list. I will have to revisit this often. Thanks!

      Reply

    8. Cathy Alessandra

      Jan 05, 2012 at 12:19

      Great list! Definitely something to review each quarter and make sure you are adding things!
      Building a business takes work – and creative ideas at that. And you certainly have included a few here! Thanks!

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 05, 2012 at 01:51

        Thanks Cathy! The trick for me has to been to pick marketing strategy at a time to implement – that way I avoid marketing overwhelm!

        Reply

    9. Amy Kinnaird

      Jan 05, 2012 at 12:45

      Jenn – love this list! Will share with my clients when applicable. One of your items jumped out at me because I was just listening to a speaker this morning who talked about #24 – adding an app for your blog. There are several others I had down to do, and am going to look into #16 – adding to a Kindle! Who knew?

      Thanks for another great list!

      Amy

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 05, 2012 at 01:50

        Those are on my list too Amy!!

        Reply

    10. Sue Painter

      Jan 05, 2012 at 01:26

      Fabo list! You could spend a year or more doing all that – and your biz would be better for it, too!
      Thanks,
      Sue

      Reply

    11. Jessica Maes

      Jan 05, 2012 at 04:55

      Everything on the list requires human ACTION – a good reminder in the web world. I’m guilty of spending too much time behind my computer – thanks for this great post – love it!

      Reply

    12. Kristi LeGue

      Jan 06, 2012 at 11:48

      Great list Jen! There were things on your list I had no idea were even possible!! I can get my blog on Kindle?! I had no idea!! Very exciting. Definitely going to have to look into that one. You are always such an amazing wealth of information. Once I have my next endeavor rolling I will definitely be pulling out this list, highlighting and prioritizing. Thank you so much for all the information.

      Kristi

      Reply

    13. Sydni Craig-Hart

      Jan 06, 2012 at 12:16

      My goodness Jen! What a comprehensive list! Thanks so much for putting this together. What I love is that there is something for everyone. Whether you are an extrovert or introvert, have no money or a large budget, are new or seasoned, there is NO excused to not market your business! It’s simply a matter of choosing a strategy and seeing it through. Thanks again!

      Reply

    14. Andrea Costantine

      Jan 06, 2012 at 01:53

      Fantastic list. Here are TWO that I’m committing to:
      1. Guest post on other people’s blogs
      2. Be a local or national radio show guest

      Reply

    15. Bill Painter

      Jan 06, 2012 at 07:49

      Great list.Thanks for the tips.

      Reply

    16. Alba Figueroa

      Jan 10, 2012 at 07:23

      Thanks for sharing this Jennifer! thankfully I am already doing a few of them but I am definitely going to add a few more. It’s all about being consistent and getting out there in a big way.

      Reply

    17. Ilka Flood

      Jan 12, 2012 at 05:30

      Wow, Jennifer, you sure gave us a ton of ideas above. Some of them I already use and others I have never thought of. I bookmarked your post so there’s no more excuses now, haha.

      Thank you so much for sharing these!

      Ilka

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 18, 2012 at 01:29

        Awesome Ilka – I’d love to know how it goes :)

        Reply

    18. Jimmy Honsinger

      Jan 19, 2012 at 05:32

      Great List!
      as I reading through it I thought oh I do this and that already but then in the middle there are a bunch of things I hadn’t thought of.

      Be sure to read the full list

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 23, 2012 at 07:22

        Thanks Jimmy!

        Reply

    19. Melanie Kissell

      Jan 21, 2012 at 11:17

      Extraordinary list, Jennifer — thanks!

      Had to pass this one along to my fans and followers … pronto. :)

      After devouring this post, no one will ever have the excuse of running out of marketing ideas, that’s for sure!

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 23, 2012 at 07:25

        Thank you Melanie!

        Reply

    20. Dorien Morin-van Dam

      Jan 22, 2012 at 05:43

      What a great list!
      I am happy to say that the first 10-20 ideas I have already implemented, so I feel really good!
      Now I will go back tot he list and find some others I can start with, and as to your suggestions just to try a few at a time…thanks!

      Sometimes with enthusiasm we forget reason.
      Glad you reminded me.

      And excited to be connected and will be following your blog.

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 23, 2012 at 07:38

        Thanks Dorien! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting :) Great job on already implementing several marketing strategies in this list!

        Reply

    21. Martha Giffen

      Jan 22, 2012 at 08:28

      I like the fact that you use the term “active” network. A network that isn’t working FOR you isn’t of much use, is it? Thanks for all the creative marketing ideas!

      Reply

      • Jennifer Bourn

        Jan 23, 2012 at 07:20

        Exactly Martha! Also, a network you aren’t actively nurturing won’t be listening much to you either! You’ve got to be active too :) Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply

    22. Ricardo Bueno

      Jan 23, 2012 at 09:24

      I think that webinars are an excellent attraction strategy! Especially if you have a service like custom site designs, or other tech products that integrate into websites.

      Reply

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