Is there a proper list of MUST DOs when launching a new site?

Hello,

You already have a few really good ideas on what to do when launching a new Web site... Here are a few more to consider:

* When writing your press release, I would try and write it to where you explain how your Web site serves a need to the reader within your niche. Meaning, don't just say, "XYZ.com has launched, stop on by". Say something to the effect of, "XYZ.com hs launched and we have tools that help you with... and will save you time because..."

* Find forums related to your niche and join in the discussion. Don't just promote, but actively add to the conversation. After you have build up a good rep, you can link to areas of your Web site that relate to the topic being discussed.

* Add good quality content and try and optimize it for search engines. Don't go SEO overboard, but using the basic rules helps get your Web site indexed.

* Submit your site map to Google. Also, if you don't have an analytics program in place I would suggest using the Google tool. It is free and the information you get from your Web analytics tool is invaluable.

* Submit to DMOZ.org and AboutUs.org. These are free an I consider them to be at the top of the free directory food chain. DMOZ.org is covered in other forums at Digital Point so I would search on this topic.

* If you have a product to sell add it to ProductWiki.com Make sure to use unique content when posting your products at ProductWiki.com or elsewhere. Using the exact same content on different Web sites is not suggested.

* If you have neat videos and/or pictures I would add them to the various video and picture hosting Web sites. Include a good write-up and link back to your Web site.

* Add links to articles on your Web site at places like Digg, reddit, etc. I am not sold on the fact that this does anything good long-term, but I don't think it will hurt.

* Add links to your Web site at places like stumbleupon, delicious, etc. Again, I am not sold on the fact that this does anything good long-term, but I don't think it will hurt.

* If you have products to sell and have a few scratch-and-dent items, sell them on eBay and link back to your Web site for complete product details.

* Create lenses, hubpages, etc. around your niche at Squidoo.com, Hubpages.com, Gather.com Make sure to use unique content and link back to your Web site.

* If you have products to sell post a "deal" or to at Deals.com

* If you have products to sell, set up a Google Base feed or if you only have a few products you can manually add them in. You can to the same thing at Shopping.com but I am not a big fan of Shopping.com

Anyway, this list is long and may not relate to your niche, but it is definately food for thought...

Good luck on your launch!

-PRADCO

 

Nice post, Pradco...rep+

 

Where will you get the backlinks from though? PRweb?

 

Some distribution services allow you to post links (I am not sure about PRweb) but anyway I was meaning links from webmasters/bloggers that will grab your press release

 

Pradco,

That's an amazing post. I copied it to a txt file and saved it! Thanks so much.

Cheers,

Josh

 

Hello,

Here are a few other "Must Dos" to potentially try...

* Create a search roll at www.rollyo.com that includes Web sites that complement but do not compete with your Web site. Include your Web site within the search roll.

* Create a profile at MySpace so you can begin a dialog with MySpace friends that you will eventually add over time. Don't add too many MySpace friends at once. There are many postings about how to effectively use MySpace here at Digital Point forum that go into much more detail.

* I know this seems a bit silly, but tell your friends and family about your new Web site. Use some of the PR language that is in your press release that explains how your Web site serves a need to your niche audience. Encourage your friends and family to forward you e-mail to their friends who might find your Web site useful. Don't go overboard, remember these are your friends and family.

* If you haven't already, make sure you Web site is accessible to the blind and seeing impared. There are many easy design and coding things you can do to meet the needs of the blind and seeing impared. This will help your Web site in the long run because having an accessible Web site makes it easier for bots to spider it. It is also just a good thing to do.

* Create yourself a "larger than life" personality based on yourself and create a Blog. Use your "larger than life" personality and speak about your niche. Link to external resources and information on your Web site where you are answering a need. Remember the following quote, "Customers are on a journey, be the destination". All the marketing in the world will get you at least one visit. The goal is to get repeat traffic and eventually online sales if that is your goal.

* Create a way from your customers to enroll in some type of e-mail newsletter. VERY IMPORTANT - e-mail is the easist thing to go horribly wrong. I am very much a supporter of e-mail and use it daily in my job, but it is very tricky to do right. The ROI is potentially huge, so if you want to go in this direction study up on it and potentially contract with a company to handle this for you.

* Support RSS on your Web site. I still haven't figured out how to monitize RSS feeds, but it is becoming more and more common, so there must be something to it. This along with e-mail will get your word out.

* If you can stroke the check, add an entry to Yahoo Directory and Best of the Web. These are paid directories that seem to be the best (in my humble opinion). There are others but budgets are finite, so do your research and submit to the paid directories that you believe best meet the needs of your Web site and niche.

* Try out a few link exchanges - there are many postings here at Digital Point forum that point the way.

* Answer a few open questions at Yahoo Answers related to your niche. Use articles on your Web site as the source. Hopefully, after you develop a good rep. your answers will be selected as the "best" answer and that will generate traffic back to your Web site.

* If you can, write an article at Wikipedia that relates to your niche. FOLLOW ALL WIKIPEDIA RULES! I can't stress this enough. And use unique copy. There are other postings at Digital Point that go into more detail.

One final note... To quote Google, DON'T BE EVIL! You can be white hat or black hat (and some would argue grey hat). Stick with white hat. Much like your good name, as soon as you lose your reputation it will be that much harder to get customers coming back.

-PRADCO

 

Dang, that's like a whole college semester in two posts Pradco! LOL, thanks!!

 

Suggest to read "Butterfly Marketing" by mike filsaime.