1. Offer a Discount Code

Who doesn’t love a good deal?Create a discount code for first time buyers, such as "WELCOME20" for 20% off. Promote this code across all your marketing channels. Make it time-sensitive to create urgency, like "20% off for the next 48 hours!" Display the code on your homepage and include it in your social media bios.

Consider using a unique code for each marketing channel to track which ones perform best. For example, use "INSTA20" on Instagram and "FB20" on Facebook. This allows you to track the effectiveness of each platform and adjust your strategy accordingly.

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2. Leverage Social Media Ads

Facebook and Instagram are the holy grail for reaching your target audience. Create ads that showcase your products in action. For instance, if you're selling fitness gear, show a video of someone crushing a workout with your resistance bands.

Get creative with your targeting. Let's say you're selling eco-friendly water bottles. Target people who follow environmental pages, have recently liked posts about reducing plastic waste, or have shown interest in sustainable living. Don't forget to use graphics and copy speaking directly to your audience's desires and pain points.

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3. Influencer Marketing 

Start by identifying influencers who align with your brand values. If you're selling eco-friendly apparel, partnering with a fast-fashion influencer might raise some eyebrows.Instead of just asking them to post a photo with your product, collaborate on creating authentic content that provides value to their audience.

For example, if you sell skincare products, team up with a beauty influencer to create a "Get Ready With Me" video featuring your cleanser and moisturizer. Or, if you're in the cooking niche, have a food blogger create a recipe using your specialty ingredient. This approach feels more natural and less like an obvious ad, which can lead to higher engagement and conversions.Remember, micro-influencers (those with 10,000 to 100,000 followers) often have higher engagement rates and more targeted audiences. Plus, they're usually more affordable.

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4. Email Marketing

Your launch email should be more than just an announcement—make it an event! Create a sense of excitement and exclusivity. Start by segmenting your email list. New subscribers? Loyal customers? Window shoppers? Each group should get a tailored message.For instance, "The wait is over! Be among the first 100 customers to shop our new collection and receive a mystery gift with your purchase."

Include product images, customer testimonials (if you have any from beta testers), and a clear call-to-action.

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Pro tip: Include a countdown timer in your email to create urgency.

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5. Referral Program

Create a referral program that's a win-win for everyone involved. Offer both the referrer and the new customer a reward.For example, "Give $10, Get $10" is nice, but "Give $10, Get $15" is nicer. It's like you're printing money for your customers (sort of).Generate unique referral links for each customer that they can share via email, social media, or even carrier pigeon (okay, maybe not that last one). 

Create pre-written messages they can use, but make them sound natural, not like a robot invaded their social media. "Hey! I just found this awesome store. Use my link for $10 off your first purchase!" You can even gamify the process – "Refer 5 friends and unlock our exclusive VIP collection!" 

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6. SEO Optimization

SEO isn't just about keywords—it's about creating a seamless user experience. Start by ensuring your website loads quickly and is mobile-friendly. Then, focus on creating product descriptions that not only include relevant keywords but also tell a story. Checkout how Sephora describes this Dior perfume in detail. 

Tools like Google's Keyword Planner or Uber suggest can help you find keywords that your potential customers are actually using. If you're selling handmade soap, don't just optimize for "soap." Get specific: "lavender goat milk soap" or "all-natural exfoliating soap bar."Don't forget about technical SEO—use alt text for images, create a navigational site structure, and build internal links between related products and blog posts.

7. Google Ads

When crafting your Google Ads, think about the customer's journey. What problem are they trying to solve? For example, if you're selling running shoes, "best shoes for marathon training" might be more effective (and cheaper) than just "running shoes."

Create different ad groups for various customer intents. Someone searching for "best budget headphones" is at a different stage than someone looking for "Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bose 700." Tailor your ad copy and landing pages accordingly.

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Pro tip: Use negative keywords to avoid wasting money on irrelevant clicks. If you're selling luxury watches, you probably don't want to show up for searches like "cheap watches" or "watch repair."

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8. Content Marketing

Starting a blog doesn’t mean to just write about your product without thinking about your ideal customer at all. Your blog should be a resource, not just a sales pitch. Create content that solves problems or entertains your target audience. If you sell kitchen gadgets, don't just write about your products. Create recipe collections, cooking tips, and even fun food history articles.For example, "10 Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Home Cooks" could subtly show your products while providing genuine value. For example, Our Place has created a blog full of recipes for people to go through and they very strategically promote the products. 

Remember to include calls-to-action in your posts, but make them natural and relevant. "Loving these recipes? Check out our chef-approved knife set to make your prep work a breeze!"

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9. Guest Blogging

For guest blogging, think about what unique perspective or expertise you can offer their audience. If you sell sustainable fashion, you could pitch an article on "5 Innovative Fabrics That Are Changing Eco-Friendly Fashion" to a popular lifestyle blog.Don't make your guest post a thinly veiled advertisement. Instead, provide genuine value and establish yourself as an authority in your field. You can mention your products when relevant, but focus on building trust and credibility and follow the guidelines the publication has in place for the guest posting.

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Pro tip: Look for blogs that allow a bio with a backlink to your site. 

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10. Offer Free Shipping

Free shipping can be the tipping point for many online shoppers. To keep it profitable, calculate your average order value and set your free shipping threshold just above that. This encourages customers to add one more item to their cart to qualify for free shipping, increasing your average order value.For example, "Free Shipping on Orders Over $50" or "Join Our Email List for Free Shipping on Your First Order." Put it in your header and add it in your product pages to make it prominent for the shoppers. 

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