16 Ideas for Promoting your Website in the Real World

We spend so much time thinking about how we promote a website online, with search engine optimisation, PPC, social media, we forget about promoting in the real (offline) world. Most of these tips will apply to your website, and most of them are very cheap to implement. So why not give them a try?

1. Get business cards with your Website URL

It seems like a really obvious idea, but so many people don’t do it! If you have a website that’s not really your core business, e.g. a hobby website, a blog, a small shop, etc, then get some business cards made up specifically. If you want something really cute, then I suggest Moo.com’s Mini Cards, as they’re rare enough to really stand out. Moo.com are really inexpensive for small batches of business cards, so it’s worth doing 50 or 100 to try them out.

2. Mention your website when networking and socialising

Advertising your website during a conversation will appear rude if you don’t use a great deal of tact. However, you can always steer the conversation on to what your website is about, and then casually mention it. If who you’re talking to is interested, then it’s a great time to give them a business card with your website address.

3. Get your website address on your Car

A really bold statement is to have your website address on your car, van or other vehicle. Vinyl car stickers are pretty affordable, and can be a great way to let people know about your website whilst you’re stuck in traffic. If you’re a little shy, just go for a smaller sticker for the rear of your car!

4. Advertise on the local radio

Local radio stations have advertising packages that are more affordable than national radio or television. Therefore if you have a website that is particularly applicable to local residents, then local radio advertising is a perfect way to get your message out.

5. Supporting local business directories

Most towns and villages have some kind of local publication with a list of local businesses. These directories or newsletters are usually crying out for advertisers, so this is a great way to support a local venture and get some great advertising locally.

6. Being a story in a local newspaper

Local newspapers (both free and paid for) are always looking for interesting news stories. Therefore if your company or website is doing something a little odd, exciting, community-spirited or anything else that’s newsworthy, see if the local paper would be interested in running a story on what you’re doing.

7. Advertise on billboards and street advertising boards

Traditional advertising does work, therefore consider if your website would get a boost in visitors by running an advertising campaign on bill boards.

8. Use freebie promotional products

Everyone loves a freebie, so be creative with printed promotional gifts, such as sweets, pens, fridge magnets, notepads, etc. You’ll get better results from gifts that have high value or that are highly practical. This is so that your recipient doesn’t throw out your gift!

9. Say thank you…

Find a reason to say thank you and send out thank you cards to friends, business clients, customers, etc. Make your website address clear and bold, and you might even offer an incentive to use the website… e.g. voucher codes, cashback, a free gift, etc.

10. Give a presentation

Find a local group, be it a business group or an interest group, and offer to do a short presentation. The presentation should be of interest to your audience and offer them value (otherwise it’s just a sales pitch). Your website address can appear on any slides you have.

11. Event and conference signage

If you’re at a conference, seminar or other big event, it’ll be worth investing in a large display advertising your website. Typically these events have lots of visitors, so that’s lots of opportunities for your visitors to see your website address.

12. Advertise on clothing

If you don’t have uniforms relating to your website, then getting promotional clothing with your website address is very affordable these days. If your message is funny, there’s more chance that people seeing your message will remember it.

13. Wish ‘em Merry Christmas!

When you send out Christmas cards, include your website address with your message. If you’re dealing with clients and customers, might be nice to say thanks too.

14. Leave a message on your voicemail

If someone calls you, but leaves a message as you couldn’t answer the phone, they’ll hear your welcome message. Update your message to include your website, particularly if you have a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the website that might help them.

15. Mention your website on all printed material

With all printed material that you send out, ensure your website address is on it. That could be on letters, leaflets, envelopes, booklets – basically any printed material.

16. Local cork pin boards

Cork boards at supermarkets, local shops, coffee shops, libraries and gyms are usually pretty cheap. Get a post-card sized advert and really ‘sell’ why people should visit your website.

Any more?

There we go, my tips for promoting a website offline. Have you got any more tips?