Build It and They Shall Not Come

A major mistake many people make when it comes to launching a new website is that they assume once it’s built, people will start flooding in.

This old mantra that you can just build it and they shall come doesn’t line up when it comes to starting a non physically located business or website online. The reason for this is because it’s not like you have a storefront people can immediately drive by. In fact, in the beginning it’s near impossible for you to get any attention because no one has ever heard about your business.

How do you get people to come in the first place?

The best way to get peoples attention is by looking inward. How do you search for things when you need a service or product? What has encouraged you to purchase something or request a service from a business?

Don’t build it and nothing will happen.

Sounds like a contradiction but it’s fairly simple, if you don’t start you’ll never get anywhere. If you don’t have something for someone to purchase or request then you won’t be able to build a business. So before anything the most important step is the building process, you just need to get it out of your head that once it’s built people will know you exist.

Here are 10 simple methods to get eyes on your business or website.

I would suggest to use all of these methods in rotation, evenly over a long period of time.

1. Add your business or website to related directories online and offline.
2. Setup social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, etc. and post weekly, at a minimum.
3. Join Facebook groups (as well as others) where your audience will be and join into the conversation.
4. Create a YouTube channel and post a minimum of once a month, don’t just post random stuff.. put thought into why someone would watch a video and why that would turn into you being recognized as a resource or professional.
5. Join and go to local networking events like BNI, Chamber of Commerce, etc.
6. If you have the funds, setup very simple ads on social networks to learn how they work. You don’t need to spend more than $3/day to start learning. If you can’t afford $90/mo. in advertising you should rethink how you spend your money.
7. Go door to door, literally. This is a simple technique, you don’t need to overthink it or overmarket yourself. Just tell people who you are and that you’re excited about what you’re doing.
8. Join online forums where your audience and other professionals in your industry are in. Participate in conversations, don’t be a lurker.
9. Talk to people you meet, again keep it simple and don’t overmarket yourself. Just share what you do.
10. Network with other people in your industry, who knows maybe they’ll be overloaded with work and send customers your way.

These are only a few methods that I’ve used throughout the years and they have all worked in different capacities. Every industry is different so I figured suggest trying a mix of everything in rotation so you can learn what you enjoy and what gets you the most return.