Launched Your Website—Now What?
10 Realistic Ways to Get Website Traffic (Without the Overwhelm)
You built a beautiful website (or maybe just launched it with your designer—hey, congrats!), but… no one’s visiting it.
If you’re wondering why your site isn’t magically bringing in customers, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common misunderstandings I see as a brand and website designer:
“If I build it, people will come.”
Unfortunately, Google doesn’t work like that. At least, not right away.
Your website is a powerful tool—but like any tool, it needs to be used, shared, and maintained in order to grow your business.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 10 simple, beginner-friendly ways to promote your website, get it seen, and keep building momentum. And I’ll explain why traffic takes time (but is absolutely within reach, even for small businesses).
Why No One’s Finding Your Website (Yet)
Here’s the thing: when your site is brand new (or recently refreshed), it doesn’t have much credibility in Google’s eyes.
Think of it like trying to open a shop in the woods—beautiful, well-stocked, but off the beaten path.
To get found, your site needs:
Clear content and keywords that match what people are searching for
Links pointing to your site from trusted places
Regular updates or content that shows you’re active
Launch - Promote - Grow
Your Website’s First Year: A Traffic & Trust-Building Roadmap
Building a website is just the beginning. What happens next is a journey that takes strategy, patience, and consistency. This visual roadmap breaks down the first year after launch into three clear phases—Launch, Promote, and Grow—highlighting key milestones, realistic expectations, and actionable steps to help your site gain visibility and traction over time.
Download the PDF version below to keep this handy as you work on building your online presence.
10 Simple Ways to Promote Your Website After Launch
Each of these is beginner-friendly, effective, and aligned with how search engines and humans discover new businesses.
1. Share Your Website Across Your Platforms
Make it easy for people to find you. Add your site link to:
Social media bios
Email signatures
Google Business Profile
Local directories or community sites
👉 Related: Why Every Small Business Needs a Website (And Why Social Media Isn’t Enough)
2. Create Posts That Link Back to Your Site
Instead of just saying “link in bio,” post valuable content and include your site as a natural next step. For example:
Share a story on Instagram about a service you offer → link to the services page on your website
Create a mini-guide on LinkedIn and link to a related blog post on your site
👉 Related: Essential Website Tips for Business Owners: Crafting a High-Impact Online
3. Blog with Purpose (Answer the Questions People Are Searching For)
You don’t need to be a writer to blog. You just need to be helpful.
Start by posting blog articles that answer the questions your clients or customers are already asking—either in conversation, emails, DMs, or your own research.
HOT TIP: Focus on being helpful first, promotional second. Blog posts that answer real questions build trust and get picked up by search engines over time.
4. Submit Your Site to Google (If You Haven’t Already)
Go to Google Search Console and submit your site for indexing. This tells Google, “Hey, this exists.”
👉 Related: Website SEO 101: Top Tips for Beginners
5. Set Up Your Google Business Profile (And Keep It Updated)
It’s one of the best tools for local SEO. Add your website link, business description, and service areas.
HOT TIP: Ask happy clients to leave reviews!
👉 Check out my blog post ‘Optimize Your Google Business Profile: A Must-Have for Local Businesses’ to learn more about setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile
6. Build Backlinks by Getting Featured or Sharing Value
A “backlink” = another site linking to yours. It’s a trust signal for Google.
START SIMPLE:
Join local business directories
Get featured on a partner’s site
Share valuable answers in online forums (and link when relevant)
👉 Related: Compete with Big Corporations: 3 Strategies for Small Businesses
7. Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic
Pinterest acts more like a search engine than a social platform.
Create simple, vertical pins that lead to your blog or services.
👉 Related: 5 Places You Need to Be Using Keywords - & How to Research Them
8. Keep Your Website Fresh with Regular Updates
Google loves active websites. Update your:
Portfolio
Blog
Testimonials
Service descriptions
Need help? My 2-Day Website Package is perfect for giving your business a polished, professional site, fast, and includes training so you can update it yourself.
👉 Related: 5 Things People Overlook When They Build Their Own Website
9. Share Your Site in Online Communities (With Intention)
Don’t spam. But when people ask questions you can genuinely help with, offer advice, and share a link to your blog or services when relevant.
👉 Related: Diversifying Your Online Presence
10. Add Value First—Then Promote
People click when there’s something in it for them. Try:
A free guide or checklist
A downloadable resource
A short email series
👉 Want help setting up a content hub or freebie section on your site? Let’s chat
Mindset Shift: Website Growth Takes Time
If your website isn’t getting clicks yet, you’re not failing—you’re just early.
Here’s what’s normal:
Low traffic in the first 3 months
Confusion around SEO
Feeling like you’re shouting into the void
Here’s what works:
Keep showing up
Keep updating your site
Keep sharing value
HOT TIP: A website is never truly done—it’s a living part of your business.
Tools That Can Help You Track & Grow
Google Search Console – track how your site is showing up in search
Ubersuggest or Keywords Everywhere – see what people are searching for
Squarespace Analytics – see where traffic comes from
👉 Check out the article 5 Places You Need to Be Using Keywords - & How to Research Them to learn more about keyword usage and research
Your Website Should Work As Hard As You Do.
At Badlands, I design Squarespace websites that are thoughtfully built—easy to manage, optimized for visibility, and tailored to help your business grow long after launch.
Take a look at our website packages or reach out here if you're ready to move forward with something built to last.
