Merry Christmas 🎄 We're out of the office from 20th December 2024 to 6th January 2025.
Firstly, congratulations on launching your new website - the next part of the journey is very exciting as you now have a brand new home to promote your services and work.
A common hurdle many clients often face after launching a new website is dealing with the question of "what's next?"
After the successful launch of a website, it's no surprise that the next steps are actually really crucial in determining its long-term effectiveness and reach.
We can often fall into the trap of 'set and forget' or just expecting our website to promote your work or bring in leads - whereas unfortunately it's not as simple as that, particularly with strategies such as SEO requiring a bit of a wait as well as some ongoing effort.
With this in mind, we've developed this guide for clients, offering a comprehensive overview of essential post-launch actions to ensure the success of your online presence.
Let's dive in...
If you're itching for a bite sized summary, check out our dedicated video in the player below.
Once your new website is live, it's important to do an initial review of the site to ensure everything is working smoothly.
The hardworking team at Wakeford Digital will also be doing lots of post-launch testing, but it's also really helpful if you as the primary stakeholder can have a look over things also.
This might involves navigating through the site to assess its flow, design and overall functionality. Such a review offers firsthand insights into the user experience, highlighting areas that may require adjustments.
It's also an opportunity to verify that the content on the website aligns with your brand's objectives and messaging.
Social media platforms are really powerful tools for amplifying your online presence.
Announcing your website's launch is one key idea that many people are excited to do, but many businesses and organisations can extend beyond this.
Firstly, consider crafting a post that introduces your new website to your audience. Additionally, scheduling a series of posts that highlight areas of your website can be beneficial, such as:
All of these as individual posts can not only can maintain interest and drive consistent traffic - which is important when it comes to search engine optimisation - but also help extend a posting strategy or calendar, meaning you don't have to think as much about what's coming up next.
Engaging visuals, compelling captions, and strategic use of hashtags can also further enhance the reach and impact of your posts.
It's essential to add your new website link or update the old one in various online profiles.
This includes platforms like Instagram, Google Business Profile, X (formerly Twitter), and other relevant platforms.
Consistency in branding and information across all online platforms is crucial. Regularly updating profiles ensures that potential customers or clients always have access to the latest information about your business.
Learn more: Read our dedicated post on how to set up your Google Business Profile for new businesses.
Sharing your website with colleagues and professional contacts serves multiple purposes - and they're also most likely the ones to further share or celebrate your new launch.
Sharing with colleagues is also an opportunity to gather initial feedback, while word-of-mouth remains a powerful marketing tool.
Consider making a LinkedIn post to introduce your new website to your professional network, which can further enhance its reach and visibility.
Many clients are also hesitant to post to their own personal social media profiles too - but when done correctly, this can be a really warming way to share with your closest community your exciting new journey.
With the new website now live, it's time to think about the next phase of your digital journey.
It's really important when it comes to a website not to fall into old habits of not doing updates or additions. Long term success does take time and effort, but can be incredibly rewarding as you watch your online presence go from strength to strength.
Some examples or opportunities of what the next steps might look like include:
Defining your next steps is crucial for continued engagement and growth of your website and business or organisations online presence.
It's not uncommon for existing SEO rankings to fluctuate after launching a new or redesigned website. This is a natural part of the search engine's re-evaluation process.
Over time, as search engines re-crawl and re-index your site, these rankings should stabilise.
As a part of our SEO Hobart services here at Wakeford Digital, we submit a new sitemap once your new website has been thoroughly checked, as well as setup 'redirects' from old website pages to new ones to ensure your good 'SEO juice' gets carried across to your new site and its links.
For new websites, it might take some time before they start ranking for branded or name-specific keywords (i.e. for your business name).
This is because search engines are still discovering and evaluating the relevance and authority of your new site - with millions and millions of new pages and sites added each day, it takes time to determine if yours is worth putting on its search engine.
You can assist in this process though by following the steps above as well as consistent content updates, quality backlinks and adhering to SEO best practices.
At Wakeford Digital, our commitment to your website's success extends beyond its initial launch.
We employ a holistic approach, ensuring that every facet of your website is optimised for performance, visibility, and user experience. Here's a glimpse into our post-launch services:
What are the steps to launch a website?
The process encompasses design, development, testing, and deployment. Post-launch activities include promotion, updates, and ongoing optimisation.
How do I prepare for a website launch?
Ensure all functionalities are in place, content is optimised, and promotional strategies are ready for execution.
What factors should be considered when launching a new website?
Prioritise user experience, SEO practices, mobile and tablet responsiveness, as well as a post-launch strategy.
What is a website checklist?
It's a curated list of tasks and checks to ensure a website's readiness for launch and its optimal performance post-launch.
Navigating the steps post-website launch is crucial for ensuring the long-term success and effectiveness of your online presence.
By following this guide and understanding the importance of each step, you can confidently move forward in your digital journey.
With all this in mind, if you feel your current website isn't achieving its potential or if you're considering a new project or need further assistance, discuss your project with us at Wakeford Digital.
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