Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

A website is a business. Make sure you have a clear strategic plan for what you're trying to accomplish, who you're trying to sell to, how you differentiate yourself, etc. Here's an article to get you started: https://manygoodideas.com/CreativeBusinessIdeas/07-02-Marketing101.htm

If you've already done your planning "homework", then after your site is up, your next step is traffic. This is a function of targeting your website's solution to your market's problem. Each campaign is different, because each market is different and you want your site to standout from the others. In general online solutions can include: emails to existing clients, comarketing with other sites, backlinks from other sites, press releases, white papers, SEO, PPC, videos, eBooks, and articles.

Here's another invaluable book, worth its weight in gold: "Don't Make Me Think!" by Steve Krug. It's about usability. He lays out the things you need to consider to ensure your site is usable, and how to do usability testing before your launch (which is easier than it sounds).

Is it possible you've invested all the time and effort to build a website and don't have a marketing plan in place? How did you expect to get people to your site?

If you didn't START with the launch plan, then you have probably missed many things. The launch plan should PRECEDE the site construction, not follow it.

I don't have the checklist, but it sounds like you're putting the cart before the horse here.

What am I not understanding?

Rick,
I've been lucky enough to be involved in many different types of launches. This is difficult to generate a list of potential launch steps not knowing your audience and more about your site, audience, stakeholders, etc.

There is no hard and fast launch strategy that encompasses all types of sites. For instance, a launch of a University site would entail postcards to recruits, donors and alumni for different sections of the site; a launch party with cake and balloons; press releases sent to local papers; announcements to all faculty and staff; etc. etc. These things are all planned and scheduled in advance.

A new shooting range facility site tied to a grand opening would have a different set of protocols -- including e-mails to potential customers, local chamber of commerce businesses; coupons for free range time in the paper to sign up online, media coverage with local Mayor speaking at grand opening etc. etc.

Jay is right on. Every campaign is different.

One tip though, enjoy it. Many times we'll launch a site and get so busy with the details, we don't take the time to revel in our wonderful work.

Best of Luck,

Jennifer
XPRT Creative

I wrote an article on increasing your ROI with Google AdWords. If you want drive traffic and conversions, AdWords should be one of your tools.

https://www.marketingprofs.com/6/anuskiewicz1.asp

Neil