You’ve just finished your new website. Finally, it’s finished. You’re excited. It’s time to let the world know about it.
In this post, I’m going to list the 10 most important things I do after I launch a new website. As an example throughout, I’m going to use my latest side project howmuchforapint.com.
1. Get your website page titles, SEO and feature images sorted
Before you start sharing your new website with the world, you want people to be able to find it. Make sure your website page titles and SEO descriptions are in order. If you use WordPress this plugin is great to get them sorted.
Secondly, make sure your website looks great when someone shares it. Each page should have an attractive ‘feature image’ attached to it. Make sure this is done on each page. Again this is easily done is WordPress.
2. Write your website launch story
This is the story you’re going to pitch to people.
Your story should contain 3 things:
A headline – this is what people can use as the headline when they write about your site. Think of it as a headline to a news story or a blog post. It should contain something interesting, unique or useful. For example ‘The Cheapest Cities In the World To Buy A Pint’
A short story – A paragraph or two briefly talking about your websites’ unique offering, who you are and how and why you came up with the website. This gives the blogger something to write about their story. Some copy. Make sure it’s all spell checked and ready to go.
Key details – Your story should list basic details such as the website address, your name, location and possible occupation. Lastly, it’s always good to link back to a profile such as your Twitter account for a little verification.
3. Create your website key visuals
To accompany your story you need to create 1 or 2 key visuals. These images are what will be used when people write about your website. They are mostly for blog post feature images, social media posts.
Make the images ‘editorial’ in nature. Don’t use huge logos or too much copy. Think about the types of images people use in magazines and blog posts.
The image should be photographic and relate to your site. It could be an image of your website on a mobile or laptop.
Here’s an example of one of my key visuals.
4. Create a press page
A press page is a simple page on your site where someone can read your website story and download your key visuals.
This is the page you will link to when writing to people about your website. This page is your like your website news ‘hub’.
Here’s an example of my press page for howmuchforapint.com/press.
Make sure your press page features high res, easy to download images. Make sure the copy is spell checked and easy to copy and paste.
5. Find your bloggers and website editors
Next, it’s time to find your bloggers and website editors. You should have a reasonable knowledge of which blogs and influencers you want to reach out to.
I targeted travel blogs for my site. Do a quick Google search will get you the top 50 blogs on your specific website topic.
I usually shoot for a minimum of 50 people to reach out to. This part is a real grind, but you have to do it.
Record the person’s name, email and their website address. You’re going to need these.
If you’re launching a startup or a tech based side project, submit.co has a great list of contacts.
6. Email your bloggers and website editors
Once you’ve got your list of bloggers and editors, it’s time to craft your email pitch. Make sure it’s short, well written and has no spelling mistakes.
As far as the email itself, I write a single email to each person. I mention the person’s name up front, and also reference their website in the body copy. Do not batch email.
Write your headline in the subject field, and write a shorter, punchier version of your website story in the body. Always ask them directly if they can write about your website. Don’t forget a link to your press page.
Here’s an example of one of my pitch emails:
“Hi Kristin,
Craig here. I’ve just launched a fun new travel website called http://howmuchforapint.com.
The site lists the cheapest cities in the world to buy a pint of beer, right through to the most expensive.
In total, howmuchforapint.com features the average price of a pint of beer across 70 cities worldwide!
I think your readers would love it.
It would be amazing if you could write about it on bemytravelmuse.com.
I’ve prepared a full post for you, as well as some imagery. You can find it here:
http://howmuchforapint.com/press/
I look forward to your response.
Cheers!
Craig
7. Find other relevant websites
As well as blogs, it’s worth researching other relevant list and forum-style sites to post to. Some examples are ProductHunt.com, Hacker News, Designernews.co and Reddit. Find these sites and the relevant categories to post about your website.
8. Post to relevant websites
Once you’ve found these relevant websites, post your link and your summary about your site on them. It is tough to get featured on some of these sites, especially Reddit.
It’s worth a shot if the people like your site they will usually show their appreciation with a ‘like’ or an ‘upvote’.
9. Write your own blog post
Don’t forget to write a blog post on your own site. You may get some knockbacks from other bloggers, but hey, no ones going to stop you here. I usually publish a post on LinkedIn, Medium and on my own website. This post should feature your website story and your key visuals.
10. Post to your own social networks
Lastly, share the blog post and announce it your website launch on your own social channels.
Make sure you add some detail to your posts on social. Don’t just post a link.
Write a qualifying comment like ‘Have you seen my latest side project? Howmuchforapint.com’. Always feature a key image with your update on social, it improves engagement.
Good luck, be persistent and follow these 10 steps. You will see traffic flow into that lovely new creation.
Not launched your website yet? Read ‘10 Things You Need To Do Before You Launch Your Website.’
