Essential Insights Before Launching Your Website This Year
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Landscape
In today's digital age, having a personal website is increasingly popular. It showcases your expertise and serves as a portfolio, all while potentially being a lucrative side project. Below are five key insights to consider before launching your own site.
Statistics indicate that a staggering 90% of web pages receive no traffic from Google, according to Ahrefs, a well-known marketing tool. Their analysis of over one billion web pages reveals that if your site attracts between 101 and 1,000 monthly visitors, you rank in the top 1.04% of web owners. This should be a point of pride for any website creator.
However, these figures also highlight a challenging reality: growing a website is more difficult than ever. Ahrefs identifies several reasons for this:
- Lack of backlinks, which are essential for improving search rankings.
- Targeting keywords that lack search traffic potential, essentially writing about topics no one is interested in.
- Neglecting user search intent, like trying to present a page about bananas when searchers are looking for apples.
For those unfamiliar with terms like "search intent" or "keywords," it's important to note that solid writing skills alone won't ensure your website's success. Mastering additional skills such as SEO writing, keyword research, and basic HTML and CSS is crucial. If you are committed to building a website, consider developing these skills, utilizing various educational resources.
Section 1.1: The Importance of Search Engines
According to Brigthedge, 68% of all online experiences begin with a search engine. Most users turn to Google for answers rather than social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. Understanding this trend can significantly inform how bloggers and content creators allocate their time and resources.
You don’t need to spread yourself thin across multiple platforms to drive traffic. Focusing on one or two primary channels can yield better results without the burnout that comes from trying to compete everywhere. For instance, I find success through:
- Organic traffic by creating content optimized for Google.
- Referral traffic from platforms like Quora and Medium.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Age Factor in Search Rankings
Section 1.2: The Reality of Ranking
Another common misconception is that publishing a well-optimized piece guarantees a quick rise to the top of Google’s search results. Ahrefs found that 78% of pages on the first search results page are over two years old. This highlights the importance of patience and strategic planning when creating content.
While it’s true that some posts can break this trend, such as my blog entry on monetizing Medium—which was published in July 2021 and gained traction in November—it’s essential to focus on low-competition keywords with potential search traffic.
Chapter 2: Financial Considerations
The first video titled "Launching a Website? Follow THESE Tips to Maximize your Website Launch" provides insightful strategies for a successful launch, discussing critical aspects that can affect your website’s performance.
The second video, "What to Do Before You Launch Your Website | The Journey," outlines essential steps to prepare for your website launch, ensuring you avoid common pitfalls.
Section 2.1: Costs of Redesigning
A basic website redesign typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000, while a more extensive overhaul can cost upwards of $24,000 for a 50-page website, as noted by Galaxy Weblinks. Given these costs, it is wise to carefully plan your website's user interface before launching.
Starting with a simple design and evolving as needed can often be more effective. For instance, I initially launched my site, Self Made Millennials, in a straightforward format. Over time, I modified its structure and content focus based on user feedback and my own interests.
Section 2.2: The Earnings Reality
Most budding webmasters are shocked to learn they might earn nothing for several months. While some sources claim potential earnings of $1,000 to $5,000 monthly, the reality often tells a different story. Brian Robert of Robben Media states that to earn $100 a day, a website needs to attract at least 2,500 visitors daily—a feat that can take a considerable amount of time to achieve.
While affiliate marketing can provide income, the absence of traffic can severely limit opportunities for monetization. It took me half a year to reach a steady monthly visitor count of 1,000, and my current earnings from ads or affiliates are modest at best.
Final Thoughts
After considering these points, are you still eager to launch your website? The purpose of this article is not to deter you but to illuminate potential challenges you may encounter during and after the launch process. I have made many mistakes on my journey, which taught me invaluable lessons.
I hope these statistics and insights will guide you in making informed decisions about when and how to successfully launch your website. For a more in-depth understanding, grab my 50-page guide detailing how I create blog posts that reach the front page of Google, employing a three-step process that’s easy to replicate for beginners.