So you launched a website. It’s looking good. Your offer is solid. You’ve told friends, posted it on social media and then you wait.
But nothing really happens.
The truth? Even the best-designed sites don’t magically attract visitors the moment they go live. Ideally, a strategy to get your site in front of the right audience starts before launch. In my projects, I bake it into the way a site is structured and optimized, and encourage my clients to incorporate a written strategy to achieve the results. BUT, if that didn’t happen, don’t worry. There’s still plenty you can do without pouring a small fortune into ads.
Let’s break down how to get your site in front of the right people using mostly organic methods, with a few smart paid options worth considering.
Start with SEO (Even the Basics Help)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is still one of the most effective (and free!) ways to drive consistent traffic over time. And no, you don’t need to be an expert to make it work.
(I’ve included some broad strokes below, but for a deeper dive, give my series on SEO a read.)
What to focus on:
- Use keywords for which your audience is searching. Try to avoid jargon and opt for actual phrases they’d type into Google: think “Napa family photographer” instead of “visual storytelling expert.”
- Each page should have a clear purpose. Make sure your homepage, service pages and/or blog posts all focus on specific topics or questions. Sprinkle those keywords naturally throughout your headers, body text and meta description (this is that blurb that Google shows you on the results page).
- Blog content = more entry points. Every blog post you publish is another way for search engines to find you and more chances to answer your audience’s questions.
Share Value-Driven Content on Social Media
I’m not talking about trying to go viral here, but if you’re only posting when you launch something new or feel like you “should,” you could be missing out. Use social media as a way to show what you know, how you help, and why people should care. Teach something useful. Show behind-the-scenes moments. Share client wins. Then? Link back to your website where people can go deeper. Bonus points for creating a page on your own website where these links live and using that in your IG profile, Linktree service not required.
Pro tip: Repurpose blog posts and longer content into bite-sized posts, carousels, or reels. Every share is a breadcrumb leading back to your site.
Claim Your Free Listings
This is one of the easiest wins, especially for local businesses (though online-only brands shouldn’t sleep on this either).
- Set up or update your Google Business Profile (even if you don’t have a brick-and-mortar shop).
- Add your website to free local directories, industry-specific listings, or partner websites.
- Make sure your contact info, links, and branding are consistent across the board.
These free link placements help people find you and help Google trust you.
Build Strategic Partnerships
If you serve a similar audience as another business and aren’t competing, you’re in a perfect spot to partner up. Think collaborations, guest posts, cross-promotions, or even shared lead magnets. These partnerships can give you access to a new group of potential customers who already trust the person recommending you.
Examples:
- A photographer and a wedding planner
- A wine label and a cheese shop
- A personal trainer and a nutritionist
Email: The Unsung Hero
Even a small list can deliver big results when you consistently stay in touch. Send helpful, valuable, conversational emails. They can be simple, like linking to a new blog post, sharing a behind-the-scenes win, or offering a tip your audience can actually use. Always include a link back to your site to give them an entry point to browse.
Get Featured
Sometimes the best traffic comes from someone else’s platform. If it makes sense, pitch yourself for podcast interviews, contribute a guest blog, or get included in a roundup post or newsletter. It builds credibility, gives you great backlinks (oh hey again, SEO), and introduces you to a fresh audience.
Let’s Talk Paid Options (Just a Bit)
While organic traffic is the goal, paid ads can help accelerate things, but it’s truly only worth it if you’ve got a solid foundation in place.
Try this:
- Boost a high-performing social post to a very specific audience.
- Run a small Google Ad campaign for a high-ROI offer.
- Use Pinterest ads if your niche is evergreen or visual (think: home, wellness, events).
Paid traffic works best when you already know what converts. So if your website’s still in early growth mode, start small, track results, and be intentional.
If no one’s visiting your site, don’t panic, and definitely don’t assume it means something’s broken. It just means you need a plan to get in front of more of the right people. Lean into organic channels, optimize what you already have, and remember: getting traffic is about consistently showing up in the places your audience already is. It’s not about chasing trends. It’s about building trust and visibility over time.
And here’s the good news: when people start finding your site organically and spend time browsing, that engagement sends a signal to search engines that your content is worth promoting. The more value you provide, the more momentum you build and you’ll see your website climb in search engine results rank.
Your website deserves to be seen. Let’s make that happen.