You’re all excited because you just had a website built for your new business, but now you’re wondering how to market it online and drive traffic to it. There are a number of free and paid options available to market your new website online. Below I share 12 free online marketing tools you can use to promote your new website.

1. Google Maps

The first thing I always recommend to my clients to help drive traffic to their website is to index or submit their web address (or URL) with Google (as well as other) search engines. This helps get your website found online when someone searches for the keywords used in your web content. However, this is not the only thing you can do with Google. You should also add your business address to Google maps along with your website address, especially if you have a bricks and mortar business. When people Google the products or services you offer, Google often ranks websites that have been mapped higher than those that haven’t.

2. Social media

Social media is a great online marketing tool and probably the most popular method for promoting your new website online for free. Most social media channels have business page options so you don’t need to inundate your friends with promotions.

It is best to use the social media channels where your target audience hangs out the most and to schedule posts at times when they are likely to be online to see them. There are a few different ways you can use social media to promote your website.

1. When you create your profile on all the social media channels you use, be sure to add your web address to the about section.
2. When you create promotional graphics or share business-related photos, be sure to include your website address on them.
3. If you provide tips, information or promotions on your social media channels, link back to more details on your website rather than providing all the information directly in your social media status.
4. If you are using WordPress for your website, include a social share plugin. When you update your website with new content, both you and your visitors can easily share new content immediately to various social media channels.

3. Blog

Include a blog on your website and post regularly on subjects of interest to your visitors. Ensure you have an RSS feed that your visitors can subscribe to. As soon as you post an article, they will receive a notification via email or their own RSS feed to let them know. Link back to useful pages within your website that relate to the subject of your blog post or to your contact page.

4. Industry-related articles

There are a couple of different ways you can use industry-related articles to promote your website.

1. As an expert in your field, you can offer to provide content to industry-related websites on a regular basis. Include your web address in your author bio.
2. Submit articles to various industry-related websites and include your web address in your signature.
3. If permitted, include links to relevant pages on your website that relate to the subject matter of your articles.

5. Newsletters/E-blasts

Include a lead capture form on your website and add clients or customers to your contact list database, and send regular email blasts or newsletters to your subscribers. Include your web address in the footer of your e-blast, and use relevant links back to specific pages on your website that provide more information instead of including all the details in your newsletter. 

6. Online Magazines

Offer to contribute as an expert in your field in online magazines. Include your web address in your author byline. If you have a large enough budget, you could advertise in online magazines and include your web address in your ad, but most magazines will include your web address if you are offering your expertise for free.

7. Podcasts

Podcasts are a great way to showcase your expertise. Be sure to provide your contact information and your web address in your introduction and at the end of your podcast. Also include your web address as a clickable link in the text description of your podcast. 

8. Videos

YouTube and Vimeo videos are also a great way to showcase your expertise. Be sure to include your web address in your channel profile and at the end of your videos along with your logo. You can also mention your web address in the video itself if it is relevant to the information being provided.  Be sure to include your web address as a clickable link in the transcript of your video.     

9. Webinars

If you offer webinars, be sure to mention your web address in your introduction and at the end of your webinar, so attendees can find more information about your business after the webinar.

10. Radio Shows

Online radio show interviews are a great way to share your expertise and get your business known in the local community. Be sure to ask your radio show host to include your web address at the beginning and end of the radio show when they mention your business name.

11. Online Business Directories

There are many paid and free online business directories. As your business website gains recognition and search engines crawl through it, your website will be automatically added to business directories for free. However, if you’ve just started out, it is a good idea to add your business listing with a link back to your website to as many business directories as possible. There is no need to pay for a paid advertisement as most business directories offer a free option.

12. Membership websites

Local business or networking organizations and chambers usually have a website with a membership directory available at no extra cost to members. Be sure to add your business listing as soon as you join and include your web address with your business listing.

I hope this list gave you some useful information to help you market your new website online. If you are looking for offline methods to market your business, I wrote this article on Five marketing tools to generate exposure for your new or expanding business.