Moving forward
What to do with your website once it is live, and how to build a strong online presence.
1. Spread the word
When your website goes live, the most important first step is to drive traffic to it. That helps Google find and index it sooner. Some ways to get the word out:
Email newsletter
If you have a newsletter or mailing list, tell them the new site has launched and, more importantly, how it can help them. We use and recommend Mailchimp.
Mailchimp (opens in a new tab)Social media
Use your network of friends, family and colleagues on Facebook to get the word out. One shared post can travel further than you would expect. If you are active on LinkedIn, Instagram or other platforms, share it there too.
Word of mouth
Still the most powerful referral. Tell the people around you and ask what they think of your new online presence. Their feedback helps when you plan changes and additions later.
2. Ask for reviews
Online reviews matter more than ever. When people find a business through Google, they look at its reviews almost immediately. The places we recommend:
Google reviews
These are usually what appears when someone searches for your business. Ask customers to search for you and leave a review, or send them a direct review link, which you can create with a free review link generator.
Create a review link (opens in a new tab)Facebook reviews
Facebook reviews are valuable and increasingly trusted. Ask customers to leave a review on your Facebook page and share it, or ask their permission to share it yourself.
Testimonials on your website
Once the site is live, gather as many testimonials as you can. With five to ten good, personal reviews (by email, or from Google or Facebook) we can add a testimonials section. Visitors often look for reviews on the site itself before they buy, call or email, so put the best ones there.
3. Keep things fresh and updated
After your site has been live for a while, a few simple habits keep it fresh, especially if people visit more than once:
Change out images
Update your images one to three times a year, above all the main image on your home page. It shows visitors you are looking after the site, which makes it more valuable to them.
Colours and layout
If the site has not changed in a year or so, freshen it up: small cosmetic changes to button colours or the menu, or some new graphics and images. A site that feels current keeps people coming back.
Keep your information current
When your staff, hours or services change, change the website too. Wrong information, or a photo of someone who no longer works there, does real harm.
4. Build site content
Search engines favour sites that are active: attracting visitors, being updated and publishing new content. A site that is never touched can slowly lose ground in search results. Ways to build your content:
Blog
Blogging can feel like a chore, but sites that publish useful articles regularly tend to attract more search traffic, and Google often picks up new posts quickly. Write content that is well thought out and valuable to your customers, then share it with your network.
New pages
Do not only update images and graphics, add content too. If you offer new services, give them a page, then share the update on your social channels.
Updated content
When your industry or services change, update the site to match. Even a few changed words show that the site is being looked after.
5. Protect your website
A large share of internet traffic is automated: bots, spammers and attackers probing for weak spots. Most hacked sites are not targeted personally; an automated scan simply finds a way in. If your site is not on one of our care plans yet, we strongly recommend it. Every site we maintain gets:
Compulsory two-factor authentication
Every login uses 2FA, so a stolen password on its own cannot get in.
DarkWatch Monitor
Every site we maintain is connected to our monitoring dashboard.
Updates with a paper trail
Care reports with audit logs of every update and change.
Off-site backups
Stored separately from your hosting, monthly, quarterly or bi-annually depending on your care plan.
Want help with any of this?
We can take care of updates, content and security for you. Tell us what your site needs.