Have you heard that you can’t get business from your website without SEO? This is a common misconception for new website owners. Having a website for your small business is crucial for success. However, having a website doesn’t do you any good if no one visits it. You need to attract visitors to your website and convert them into paying customers, if you want to get website leads. Many small business owners believe that the only way to get business from a website is through search engine optimization, but your absolutely CAN get business from your website without SEO. (Remember to check out our other post about the stages of website development to see how a website grows and becomes more powerful over time.)
In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips on how to get business from your website without SEO. These tips are suitable for small business owners who are looking to improve their online presence and attract more customers to their website. Please note that SEO is critical if you want to get maximum potential from your new website, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get your website working for you on a budget.
Get Business From Your Website Without SEO
While social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your business, there are other effective strategies that you can use to drive traffic to your website and increase sales without relying solely on social media. In this section, we’ll explore these strategies in more detail.
Online Directories
Online directories can be a great way to get business from your website without SEO. Getting your business listed on popular directories can help you attract new customers. When adding your company information to these sites, be sure that you have consistent listing data across all of them. Most importantly, be sure you put your website info in there! Here are some popular directories to consider:
- Yelp: This platform allows customers to rate and review businesses, making it a great way to build a positive online reputation.
- Google My Business: This free tool allows small business owners to manage their online presence across Google, including search and maps.
- Yellow Pages: This directory is ideal for small businesses looking to attract local customers.
- Angi: This platform is a great way to reach customers who are looking for trusted service providers.
- TripAdvisor: This platform is ideal for businesses in the travel and hospitality industry, as it allows customers to review hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Make sure to complete your profile on these directories and add accurate and up-to-date information about your small business. This will make it easier for potential customers to find you online.
Forums
Participating in online forums related to your industry or niche is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract new customers. If you’re discussing a topic with other forum members, and you can point them to an article or page on your website that helps answer their question or concern, this can be effective. You must do this very carefully though, as you don’t want to come off as “spammy.” Here are some tips on how to use forums effectively:
- Find forums related to your industry or niche and sign up. Make sure to read the rules and guidelines of the forum to avoid any potential issues.
- Answer questions and provide valuable information to other members. This will help build your reputation as an expert and establish trust with potential customers.
- Include a link to your website in your forum signature. This way, every time you post a comment or answer a question, the other members can see your website URL and potentially visit your website.
- Be respectful and avoid spamming the forum with self-promotional messages. The goal is to provide value to the community and establish trust with potential customers.
Direct Links
In addition to promoting your website on social media, directories, and forums, there are other ways to get the word out about your small business. Here are some tips on how to send include direct links to your website:
Emailing Past Clients
Don’t forget about your existing customers! Emailing past clients is a great way to keep in touch with them and let them know about your website. It’s also an opportunity to ask for referrals or positive reviews, which can help attract new customers to your website. Make sure to have an email signature that includes your site so that whenever you email a client, they have a convenyient link back to your website.
Business Cards
Include your website URL on your business cards. This makes it easy for potential customers to learn more about your business and visit your website. Make sure that the URL is visible and easy to read on the card.
Physical Signs
Consider adding your website URL to physical signs, such as signs on the sides of company vehicles and yard signs. This can help attract local customers and drive traffic to your website. Make sure the sign is eye-catching and the URL is easy to read and remember.
Paper or Electronic Proposals
When you send out an electronic or paper proposal to prospective customers, your website URL should be featured prominently. This is particularly effective if you use electronic forms. In fact, you can place a little section on each proposal that encourages customers to visit your website to see more of your work, or explore other options, pricing info, and more.
In Strategic Conversations
When a customer calls you and asks if you’re available to bid a job, one of the best things we’ve seen is the following dialog: “Absolutely, we can help. Let’s schedule a time for one of our project managers to come over and take a look at your issue. In the meantime, I can text you my contact information.” What’s in that contact information? Name, email, phone, and website. How likely is it that they’ll take a peak at your website? Very. If they see nice photos of completed work, and a professional presentation, you’re one step closer to earning their trust.
Let Your Website Speak For You!
There are many effective ways to get business from your website without SEO. Online directories, forums, even paid advertising are all great ways to promote your small business online and attract new customers to your website. In addition, emailing past clients and including your website URL on your business cards and physical signs can help get the word out about your business and increase your online visibility.
Remember to monitor your online presence and adjust your strategy as needed to stay competitive and maximize your ROI. With these tips, you can improve your online presence and attract more customers to your small business website without having to pay for SEO.
A quick word before we go: I don’t want to give the impression that SEO isn’t important. It’s actually critical for your website success. However, the tips above are actually very complementary to any SEO strategy. Finally, we DO offer SEO services to our clients, and it doesn’t need to be expensive, as long as you have a long-term outlook. Have questions? Let us know!
