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How do I promote my new website launch?

Website Launch Plans

The launch of a new website is an exciting proposition for any business, but in order to ensure it goes off with a bang, you will need to plan and execute the pre-launch process carefully. We’ve put together a list of tried and tested expert tips to follow to help you promote your new website.

Build anticipation

Now is the perfect time to start building buzz around your brand! You’ll want to begin by growing your customer base – especially if you’re a new business. You can choose a traditional route such as printing newspaper ads, or a more current direction by using social media. Just make sure, whatever method you choose, it’s a direct line to your target audience so you’re communicating effectively.

Another great way to build up some hype before your launch is to reach out to an email list. Emails can be beautiful works of art that let you relay your message to a group of people all at once. You can use emails to tease or share more information about your launch, products and services. Using beautiful images or including gifs will ensure your emails captivate your audience.

Utilise social media

Every business should make the most of social media to build brand awareness and increase audience numbers, whether they already have a website or not. However, if you’re launching a new site, using social media is a highly effective strategy to promote this event and stoke up excitement for the launch.
Create pages on social media platforms most frequented by your target audiences and regularly drip-feed information about your new website launch to create relationships with your customers and build up the anticipation. As well as detailing when the site will be launched, include information about what you’ll offer, what the site will contain and what visitors can expect.

Tease audiences with snippets from your new website, such as a sneak preview of some images, videos or blogs. Include offers or promotions for the first number of people who visit or purchase from your site once it’s launched.

As well as promoting your launch on popular sites such as Facebook or Instagram, the power of video cannot be ignored, so consider making short videos on YouTube talking about key aspects of your new website and the launch.

Start blogging

You might not be able to blog on your new site yet, but that doesn’t mean to say you can’t post on another related site. Create a guest blog post about your new website launch to feature on a site that your target audience is likely to follow. Include a link to your website and the dates of the launch so that visitors can click on it on the big day. As well as guest blogging, you might also wish to pay an influencer to promote details of your new website launch or consider creating some press release copy.

Timing is crucial, however. If you release a guest blog post or PR copy about your launch, make sure that it hits audiences close to the launch date. If you post too early, audiences may forget about it, but if you post too late, the momentum may be lost.

Now that you know everything that you need to when it comes to promoting your new site all that’s left to do, is to start (and finish) building it! Try Go Sitebuilder FREE for 14-days – no credit card required!

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What’s the easiest way to build a website?

Black male sat at a desk building a website online with Go Sitebuilder

Whether you’re starting a new business or simply have a hobby you’re passionate about, a website is an excellent way to share it with the world. But, when it comes to actually build a website, the options can seem a little bit daunting. If you’re looking for the easiest way to build a website, this article is for you.

Here are 4 different ways to get your website up and running – starting with the most difficult:

4. Most difficult: Doing it the old-fashioned way

Let’s begin with the most time-intensive option on our list: doing it all yourself by hand. This option will be almost exclusively reserved for the technically minded among us, but – put simply – anyone can build a website using HTML and CSS code. In fact, just by writing a couple of lines of text in a text document, you can technically build a functioning website. But if you’d prefer an option which doesn’t require learning to code, read on…

3. Slightly less difficult: Install a Content Management System and use a theme

A content management system, or CMS, is essentially a piece of software you can install on your own website which allows you to build a website more easily. WordPress is perhaps the most popular example, offering countless themes which can get you started quite quickly. That said, actually finding a theme which is suitable for your needs can take time, and you’ll find that your website may look similar to many others. A CMS is certainly fast, but they often require updates and the majority rely on third-party plug-ins to provide enough functionality.

2. Getting easier: Work with a dedicated web designer

If you want to go to the other extreme and have a completely hands-off website building experience, you can find a web designer or developer. There are many freelancers out there who will be able to help, but you’ll need to be very detailed about what it is you want. Your brief will need to be quite precise so that the designer can make your vision come to life, which can be quite time-consuming. Also, because you’re hiring a real person to help, this can also be a quite expensive option.

1. The easiest way to do it: Use a do-it-yourself website builder

Now we arrive at what is perhaps the easiest option for those who want a unique website which is also simple to build. Using a website builder, you don’t have to worry about writing a single line of code or browsing through endless themes. You can simply drag and drop the text and images you want on your website and make things look exactly how you want them. With a website builder, your site can be launched in a matter of hours – and it’ll look great, too. You’ll have complete control over your content, time and expenses.

Now that you know just how easy it can be to create your own website, why not give it a go yourself? In fact, with Go Sitebuilder’s free trial, you can discover the ease of building a website without spending a penny.

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Checklist: Starting your own website as a small business

Small business owner building a Go Sitebuilder website

Are you a small business looking to launch your first website? There are quite a few things to remember when creating one, so we’ve put together a helpful checklist so you don’t forget anything!

1. Choose a domain name

One of the most important things for you to consider when setting up your website is a domain name – the digital address that people will use to connect to your website. If possible, you want it to be an exact match of your company name but one that isn’t too long. People like to access short domain names, so if you have a long company name, opt for an abbreviation. However, make sure it’s recognisable – as a small business you will want to ensure your dedicated customer base is able to find you on the internet.

To help with getting you set up with your website when you purchase a website subscription with GoSiteBuilder, we’ll provide you with a free domain name.

2. Choose your business email addresses

For businesses, choosing a domain name and email addresses often go hand-in-hand. Business email addresses can range from sales emails to customer service emails. It is important to think about using multiple email addresses so relevant customer queries are sorted from the start and find their way to the right person in your business. This will save you business time and make everyone’s life easier. If a business email is something you don’t have yet, with our subscriptions, you can choose up to five custom email addresses.

3. Create your website header

It’s likely you will want to start constructing your site by creating a website header. This usually consists of a few elements. Add your company logo – most brands opt to have it in the top left of every page on their website. Make sure it’s clickable too, site users like to be able to click on logos to link them back to the homepage. Along with your logo, you’ll want to make sure you’re incorporating a main navigation. This usually includes links that will take you to specific pages, such as ‘shop now’, ‘contact us’ and more. The header is also a great way to introduce your brand. Including taglines, imagery and brand colours will really make it pop. And, most importantly, don’t forget to include a clear and concise call to action (CTA).

4. Build more content with pages

As a small business, you are going to need to start building a range of content to build trust with your potential new customers and ensure you climb search engine result rankings.

Here are some pages you should consider adding to your new website:

  • About us page – Tell people your vision, your mission, and why they should engage with your brand.
  • Contact us page – Create an easy way for your customers to reach you. Add your email address and a contact form. If you have brick and mortar location, you can highlight this by adding a map which can include your exact location and opening hours, too!
  • Testimonials/reviews – People trust the opinions of other people, not brands. Therefore, displaying reviews from real people is a great way of showing users that you are a trusted brand.
  • Blogs – About anything that is relevant to your brand. If you can become a trusted voice in that industry, then people will continue to come back to you for more technical reading.

For more information on what pages you need on your website, head over to our blog and make sure your business is covered.

If you’re still unsure where to start with your website, drop us some questions at marketing@gositebuilder.com or simply get started with a free trial and use the live chat option to talk to our friendly customer success team.

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How do I make a photography website?

gositebuilder

Having a website is an important tool for any photographer, whether you’re new to the business or an established brand. But, how do you go about creating a photography website where your images can do all the talking?

Identify your goals

Before you start designing your photography website, think about what you want it to achieve. Are you hoping to sell your images, gain local custom, acquire a new job in the industry or simply raise your profile? The goals of your website will dictate how you design it, what styles you should focus on and what content you should create.

Categorise your images

Your photos will be your selling points, so it goes without saying that these should take centre stage on your website. But think carefully about how you organise and display them. If you snap a wide range of images, create separate pages within your site to differentiate genres, such as landscape photography, portraits, weddings etc., rather than lumping them all together.

Display your style

How you display your photos will have an impact on the kind of impression you create, so pay attention to this aspect. Choose simple, plain backgrounds that won’t clash with your images. Horizontal images are best displayed as thumbnails, while it may be easier to scroll down vertical images. Here at Go Sitebuilder, we offer a wide range of pre-designed sections, slideshows and galleries that can be used to display your images beautifully. Play around with different templates to find a display that suits your style and images the most. It is also very important for you to optimise your site so that it can be easily viewed on different devices – this can be done instantly with Go Sitebuilder.

Choose quality over quantity

While it’s important to include your portfolio of images on your website, don’t go overboard. Opt for quality over quantity and only include the best examples that showcase your work. By only including a small number of images, this ensures they won’t slow your website’s speed down, and it will help to whet the appetite of your potential clients. You might even wish to include some brief explanatory text with each image to help set the scene and tone.

It’s also a good idea to add features to your site that enable viewers to like or share your images, to help increase awareness of your brand. You might also want to include links to your social media pages, such as Instagram so that people can view more of your work.

Make sure your images are copyright protected, however, and can’t be downloaded for free, if you intend to sell them.

Tell your story

Although your photos are the main focus of your website, don’t forget to include information about yourself on your homepage. This should be a brief introduction of who you are, how you work, your photography style and any other relevant information that helps to achieve your goals and sell your brand. Include your photo to personalise your site and your contact details.

Making a website is an exciting experience where you get to showcase your work in unique ways. Here at Go Sitebuilder, we make that process easy. Try our editor out for 14 days – absolutely free! 

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How to make a physiotherapy website

How to make a physiotherapy website

As a physiotherapist, your website should not only showcase your services, but it should exude reassurance and professionalism. Here are some aspects to think about when creating your website to evoke the right kind of image.

Colour choices

We associate colours with certain images, feelings or characteristics, so use this to your advantage on your physiotherapy website. Warm, soothing tones such as green and blue are especially ideal for use on a physiotherapy website, while a bold colour such as red is also a good choice to invoke a sense of energy and wellbeing. Think about how you use the different colours in the text, layout and your images to create the right kind of vibe.

Professional fonts

The font that you choose for your text will also speak volumes, so pick one that has a professional feel to it. For instance, many medical-related websites make use of a sans serif type of font, as this looks clean and professional. It’s also easy to read, making it ideal if you need to include a lot of text to explain your physiotherapy services.

Simple design

Keep the design elements of your site simple, so that it emits a clinical feel and is easy to navigate. Including an image of yourself creates a personal touch, while additional photos relating to your services can help to set the tone. This could be as simple as uploading a decent stock photo of a therapist’s hands massaging a client’s back. It’s also important to have an obvious way for people to get in touch, so make sure you have a telephone number or contact form in a clear location on your website.

Content

Think about who your target audience is and adapt your content accordingly. Don’t assume that everyone automatically knows what physiotherapy services are and how they can benefit from them, so keep jargon or complicated terminology to a minimum. If you’re unsure, you’re not alone, creating buyer personas will avoid any confusion! You might have heard of them before, perhaps you know what they are, or maybe you’re scratching your head. Whatever your knowledge, don’t worry – we’ve broken it down within our free beginners guide eBook. Provide a brief introduction to the services you offer and how they work. You might wish to feature an FAQ section for popular questions that clients may have. A testimonial page with reviews from previous satisfied clients can also help to sell your services and provide reassurance.

Your story

Anyone seeking the services of a physiotherapist will want to ensure they’re in safe and capable hands, so detail relevant information about yourself, including your professional qualifications and industry accreditations. Include a phone number, email address or contact form on your site so clients can easily get in touch to make an appointment or find out more about your services.

Local SEO

Your target audience is likely to be based locally, so include information on your website that helps to get you ranked higher in local searches. Incorporate keywords into your text that include the name of your location, such as ‘if you’re looking for physiotherapy services in x location‘, or ‘our x-location physiotherapists’, to boost your local search ranking. In your contacts section, add a Google map so that clients can easily see where you are based.

If you’re new to SEO, check out our beginners guide to SEO – it’s not as difficult as you might think!

We hope this article helps any physiotherapists looking to get their business online or any physiotherapy businesses who are looking for tips to update their existing website. If you’re still looking for the right website builder, check out Go Sitebuilder where you can sign up for a free trial and see just how easy it is to get your physiotherapy website online.

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Why you must have a menu on your restaurant website

Building a Restaurant Website using Go Sitebuilder

Many people consult a restaurant website first before deciding to book a table. It encourages people to book a table at your restaurant over others and attracts people to your website and establishment. For this reason, getting your site spot-on is crucial to winning potential customers over to visit your eatery. While there are plenty of elements that go a long way to ensure your restaurant website hits the right mark, including menus on your site is especially important.

Showcase what you’ve got to offer

Including menus on your website, whether as downloadable pages or within their own sections showcases what your restaurant has to offer. Your menus are your number one selling point, so without them, new customers won’t know what to expect. Many people also choose a restaurant based on price, so having your menus easily visible lets would-be customers know if the food you offer is within their intended price range. Your menus will also give a clue as to the kind of ambience or experience diners might expect, from casual meals to more formal, a la carte dining. This might be reflected in the type of food being served as well as the offers available. It’s also worthwhile including a gallery section on your site with images of some of the dishes off your menu, to whet customers’ appetites.

Catering for every taste

Lots of people have special dietary requirements, so providing your menus online lets people see what you offer to cater to different needs and tastes. It’s a good idea to include any relevant symbols next to dishes to denote any dietary options, such as gluten-free or vegetarian. If you cater to youngsters, don’t forget to include a children’s menu.

Easy to view

Since restaurant menus play such a big role in customer decision-making, when including yours on your site, ensure that they’re easy to find and access. If you add downloadable PDF menus, they should be fast to open, as well as properly configured for easy viewing on mobile devices.

Keep menus current

Having menus included on your site makes for a worthwhile opportunity to keep customers updated on any offers you have on or any new dishes. Keep your menus current, so that customers who visit your premises know what to expect. You’re unlikely to get the thumbs up from diners if you increase your prices or drastically change your dishes without reflecting these alterations on your advertised website menus. It’s also not good business to still be promoting your Christmas menu online when it’s almost Easter. Bear in mind that search engines rank sites higher that keep their content fresh and up to date.

If you’re looking for a new website for your restaurant check out Go Sitebuilder today! Get started for free and join over 9 million people already growing their business with Go Sitebuilder.