Make your website launch as loud as possible

If you’re planning to launch a new website soon and are feeling a bit anxious about it, we hear you. You’re probably excited to share the final result with your audience, but how do you ensure it doesn't just enter with a whisper but with a resounding roar that captures attention and sparks curiosity in customers?

Creating hype for your website launch is a delicate dance between strategy and a bit of showmanship. In this guide, we will unravel the secrets to transforming a mere launch into a memorable event that echoes in the minds of your audience and leaves a lasting imprint on the digital landscape.

Top 5 Strategies for a Successful Website Launch

Launching a website is no small feat. It's not just about having a great site; it's about making sure people notice it. In this section, we'll break down practical strategies to give your website launch the attention it deserves. Whether you're a newcomer or an established brand, these tried-and-true methods will be your roadmap for a successful launch.

Set up a ‘Coming soon’ page

What better way to build anticipation than by setting up a ‘Coming soon' page that not only hints at the impending excitement but also engages your audience with a touch of mystery?

Think about it – the 'coming soon' page is your digital teaser trailer. It's the first glimpse your audience gets of what's brewing behind the scenes. It's not about the technicalities of your launch; it's about making them feel part of the story.

When it comes to ‘Coming soon’ pages, simplicity is key – keep the text clear, concise, and intriguing. Perhaps you can add a countdown timer for that extra punch. As the days dwindle down, the excitement and sense of urgency build up! By the way, here are our favorite countdown timers for Squarespace.

A great way to further leverage your ‘Coming soon’ page is to make the anticipation tangible by offering visitors a chance to be the first to know. Add an email collection form on the landing page to build a direct line of communication and ensure that your audience receives the grand reveal right in their inbox on launch day.

However, it’s important that you avoid creating a coming soon page if you’re not launching a brand-new website. If you’re relaunching your existing website with a new style or features, a ‘Coming soon’ page can damage any SEO progress you’ve made.

Here’s how you create a cover page for your Squarespace website. Go to the Pages menu and scroll down till you see Utilities. Click System Pages > Lock Screen. Here you can customize the page that is displayed to visitors when your website is password-protected. You can select the layout, change branding, text, add images and videos, as well as adjust colors, fonts, and sizes on top of that. Type in some teasing text: A new website is coming soon, stay tuned!

2. Let your audience go behind the scenes

Invite your audience to the creative journey and make them a part of the story before the grand reveal. Offering a sneak peek is like lifting the curtain just enough to pique their curiosity and leave them wanting for more.

You can share pictures or video snippets of your website displayed on a computer through Instagram and Facebook stories. Or you can take it a step further by going live and giving a real-time sneak peek. Tease elements of your website as they come together, and share your excitement about the upcoming launch.

Also, don't just show; tell. Share the thought process, the heart, or the story behind why this website launch is significant for your business and, more importantly, for your clients. Whether it's a new opt-in, a revamped service, or an improved user experience, connect emotionally by explaining the benefits and addressing how it caters to the needs of your audience.

To leverage this strategy to the most, you’ll need to collaborate with your web designer to obtain work-in-progress pictures or short video clips. This behind-the-scenes content adds authenticity and allows your audience to witness the dedication and effort going into crafting your website.

Remember, this strategy is not just about showcasing progress; it's about inviting your audience into your journey, fostering a connection, and generating genuine excitement.

3. Offer an exciting incentive for visiting on launch day

Don’t underestimate the power of incentives – those irresistible offers that not only entice your audience but leave them eagerly clicking their way to your digital doorstep. Deals and discounts are universal language; they resonate with consumers across the board. Whether you're showcasing products or services, the promise of a special offer on launch day acts as a powerful motivator.

If you're selling products, consider crafting special offers such as discounts, bundled deals, or free items with a purchase. For example, offering a percentage off, a buy-one-get-one-free deal, or exclusive bundles can be enticing incentives for your launch day visitors.

For service-based businesses, you can offer value-adds or exclusive perks. For instance, a photographer might provide extra prints for any wedding booked during the launch period.

Take your incentives a step further by turning them into catalysts for additional action. Encourage visitors to share their purchases or bookings on social media to unlock further savings. This not only boosts your brand's visibility but also transforms customers into advocates, extending the reach of your launch.

The key to this strategy is urgency. Ensure that your offers have a limited shelf life. Whether it's a discount, a complimentary product, or early access to new features, setting a quick expiration date creates a sense of urgency, nudging visitors to act promptly.

4. Run ads for your new website

Leveraging targeted paid advertising is a solid strategy to elevate anticipation and generate buzz for your upcoming website launch. Unlike generic announcements, with these ads, you can strategically highlight specific offerings tied to the launch, such as special offers, giveaways, or exclusive freebies, making them more enticing for your target audience.

The key is to focus on exciting elements, creating a sense of anticipation and curiosity about what awaits visitors on the new website. Using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google Ads ensures a multi-channel approach, expanding visibility and reaching diverse segments of your audience.

By directing traffic to a landing page where visitors can sign up for email updates, these ads not only build a pre-launch audience but also establish a direct line of communication with potential customers. The ability to target niche markets ensures that your ad spend is invested in reaching the right audience, maximizing the impact of your campaign.

While paid advertising involves upfront costs, the long-term benefits, including increased quality website traffic and improved conversions, position it as a valuable investment in the overall success of your website launch.

5. Hold fun contests & giveaways to create excitement

Contests and giveaways, when used strategically, can turn your website launch into a digital carnival, creating excitement across your audience. They add an element of playfulness to your launch, transforming the digital experience into something interactive and rewarding. On top of that, they not only attract attention but also encourage active participation, creating a sense of community around your brand.

Beyond the immediate excitement, they drive traffic to your website, fostering engagement and leaving a lasting impression. By choosing prizes that align with your audience's interests and structuring actions that amplify results, you can turn a simple giveaway into a strategic tool for generating buzz and acquiring new leads.

Make the giveaway an integral part of your website launch strategy by requiring actions that drive traffic. For example, ask followers to send in a screenshot of your new website post-launch or sign up for a specific lead magnet available only on your website.

You can also leverage the social nature of platforms by encouraging participants to tag their friends in your promotion. Consider fun activities like website scavenger hunts, where participants explore various pages to find hidden clues or icons. Not only does this make the experience enjoyable, but it also boosts engagement and awareness.

Bonus track: Good, old-fashioned content marketing

All in all, a successful website launch demands a multifaceted approach that extends beyond the digital ribbon-cutting ceremony. The five strategies we discussed — crafting an engaging ‘Coming soon’ page, letting your audience behind the scenes, creating incentives or unveiling new products, running strategic contests, and employing targeted ads — are essential ingredients for building excitement and engagement.

But don’t forget that they exist within a much larger marketing landscape! You shouldn’t overlook the value of traditional marketing strategies: Blog posts and email marketing offer reliable means of fostering connections and conveying meaningful messages — like why exactly you’re launching a new website. Video content and reels on social media can also be powerful tools, providing a visually engaging way to tell your brand’s compelling story.

In essence, a successful website launch requires a holistic marketing strategy that blends innovative tactics with the reliability of traditional content marketing. As you embark on the journey of launching your new website, striking this balance is key!