How to Actually Get People to Your Website (A No-BS Guide for Women Entrepreneurs)

You built the website. You picked the colors, wrote the copy, agonized over the “About Me” page. And now… crickets.

You’re not alone. More than half of small business websites get fewer than 500 visits a month. That’s not a traffic problem — that’s an invisibility problem. And when you’re a woman building something from scratch, often with a smaller budget and a thinner safety net, every visitor matters more.

So let’s skip the generic advice and talk about what actually works to get real people — your people — to your site.

First, bring back the ones who already found you

Someone visited your site, browsed around, maybe even added something to their cart — and then disappeared. That’s not a lost cause. That’s a warm lead.

Set up retargeting ads so those visitors see your brand again as they scroll Instagram or browse the web. Retargeted visitors are 43% more likely to convert than cold traffic. You’re not starting from zero with these people. They already showed interest. Remind them why.

Most website platforms and ad tools (Facebook Pixel, Google Ads) make this pretty straightforward to set up, even if you’re not a tech person.

If you have a physical space, use it

Running a salon, a boutique, a bakery, a studio? Your foot traffic is already a warm audience. Put a QR code on your counter, your receipts, your shopping bags, your window display — anything that sends people from your physical space to your digital one.

This is low-cost, high-impact, and honestly underused by most small business owners.

Stop chasing big influencers — find your people instead

Influencer marketing works, but not the way most people think. You don’t need someone with a million followers. You need someone with 2,000 to 50,000 engaged followers who actually trust them.

Micro-influencers consistently outperform celebrities on engagement because their audience is niche and loyal. If you sell handmade jewelry, a local fashion blogger with 5,000 followers who actually wears and loves your pieces will drive more traffic than a celebrity who posts and forgets.

DM people directly. Be genuine. Tell them why you love what they do and why your product fits their world. Women entrepreneurs are often great at building authentic relationships — this is where that skill pays off.

Write for someone else’s audience

Guest blogging is still one of the most effective ways to borrow someone else’s traffic. You write a valuable article for a blog that already has your target readers, and you get a link back to your site.

This does two things: it sends their audience directly to you, and it tells Google your site is trustworthy (which helps you rank higher over time).

Look for blogs, online magazines, or industry publications that serve women in your space. Pitch them a specific topic, not a vague “I’d love to collaborate.” Make it easy for them to say yes.

Build an email list yesterday

Social media algorithms change constantly. Your email list is the one audience you actually own.

Start collecting emails from day one — even if your list is 20 people. Send a simple, consistent newsletter that gives people a reason to click through to your site. New product? Share it. Wrote a blog post? Send a teaser. Running a sale? That’s your moment.

Email marketing returns an average of $36 for every $1 spent. That’s not a typo. And it doesn’t require a big budget — just consistency and something worth saying.

Use clear calls-to-action in every email. Don’t just say “check out my site.” Say “grab your 15% off before Friday” or “read the full story here.” Give people a reason to click.

Get serious about SEO (even if it sounds boring)

SEO — search engine optimization — is how people find you on Google without you paying for ads. And unlike ads, which stop working the second you stop paying, SEO compounds over time.

Here’s where to start:

Write content that answers real questions. What are your customers actually typing into Google? “How to style natural hair for work” or “best gifts for new moms under $50” — whatever it is, write blog posts that answer those questions thoroughly.

Go after long-tail keywords. Instead of trying to rank for “skincare” (good luck competing with Sephora), target something like “best moisturizer for dry skin in winter for Black women.” Longer, more specific search phrases are easier to rank for and attract people who are closer to buying.

Keep your content fresh. If you wrote a blog post two years ago and it’s outdated, update it. Google favors current content.

Link your own pages together. When one blog post references a topic you’ve covered elsewhere on your site, link to it. This helps Google understand your site structure and keeps visitors clicking around longer.

Write content that stays relevant. A post about “Valentine’s Day gift ideas” is useful for two weeks. A post about “how to price your handmade products” is useful forever. Prioritize the evergreen stuff.

Make sure your site actually loads fast

Half of online shoppers will leave a website that takes more than three seconds to load. Three seconds. If your site is slow, you’re losing people before they even see what you offer.

Keep your images compressed, avoid loading your site up with unnecessary plugins, and make sure your hosting is solid. Test your site speed on Google’s PageSpeed Insights — it’s free and will tell you exactly what’s slowing things down.

Get press and third-party visibility without a PR firm

Here’s something a lot of women entrepreneurs overlook: when someone else talks about your business, it carries more weight than when you talk about it yourself. That’s the power of third-party credibility. A mention from a trusted platform tells potential customers, “This brand is legit” — in a way your own Instagram post never can.

You don’t need a publicist to make this happen. You just need to be intentional about getting your brand in front of the right audiences.

One affordable way to start? Platforms like SheBiz that specifically promote women-owned businesses. For as little as $6, SheBiz will feature your brand in front of their community of 16,000 people. That’s real visibility at a price point that works even if you’re bootstrapping. And because it’s a third-party mention — not you promoting yourself — it adds a layer of trust and credibility that’s hard to get on your own.

Beyond that, write press releases about your launches, milestones, or community initiatives and distribute them through services like Newswire or EIN Presswire. Local journalists especially love covering women-owned businesses — reach out directly to reporters who cover your industry or your city.

The backlink from a news article or feature also helps your SEO. So you’re getting visibility, credibility, and search ranking benefits all at once.

Show up in the rooms where your customers hang out

Reddit threads. Facebook groups. Quora questions. Industry forums. These are places where your potential customers are literally asking for recommendations and advice.

Don’t spam your link everywhere — that’s a fast way to get ignored or banned. Instead, be genuinely helpful. Answer questions. Share your expertise. When it’s relevant, mention your business or link to a resource on your site.

This is relationship marketing, and women entrepreneurs tend to be exceptional at it. Use that.

Pick one social media platform and go deep

You don’t need to be on every platform. You need to be great on one.

Figure out where your target customer actually spends her time. Selling to other business owners? LinkedIn. Selling products to millennial and Gen Z women? Instagram or TikTok. Serving local customers? Facebook still works.

Post consistently, share links back to your site, engage with your audience, and use your bio link wisely. Tools like Linktree or similar services let you direct followers to multiple pages from a single link.

Once you’ve built traction on one platform, then expand to a second.

Repurpose everything you create

Wrote a blog post? Pull quotes from it for Instagram. Record yourself talking about the topic for a TikTok or Reel. Turn the key points into a LinkedIn carousel. Send the highlights in your newsletter.

One piece of content can become five or six touchpoints — each one driving people back to your site. You’re already doing the hard work of creating. Get more mileage out of it.

Own your local market

If you serve a specific area, local marketing is your best friend. Make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and current. Claim your Yelp listing. Join your local Chamber of Commerce.

Attend local networking events — especially women’s business groups and entrepreneur meetups. Sponsor a community event. Get listed in local directories.

Every time you show up locally, make sure people can find your website. Put it on your business card, your flyers, your event booth banner — everywhere.

Post from your personal account too

People connect with people, not logos. When you post about your business from your personal social media accounts, you come across as real and passionate — and that resonates.

Data shows that 70% of consumers feel more connected to a brand when the founder is active on social media. Your friends, family, and personal network are your first audience, and they want to support you. Let them.

Get your team talking (even if your team is small)

If you have employees, contractors, or even collaborators, encourage them to share your content online. About a third of employees post about their employer without being asked — imagine what happens when you actually encourage it.

Give them easy-to-share content and ask them to include your website link. Word of mouth still works, especially when it comes from people inside your business.

Run targeted ads (when you’re ready)

Ads aren’t a first step — they’re an accelerator. Once you know who your customer is and what message resonates, paid ads on Google, Facebook, or Instagram can bring targeted traffic fast.

Start small. Test different audiences and messages. Track what’s actually driving clicks and conversions, not just impressions. You don’t need a massive budget — you need a smart one.

Use discounts strategically

A well-timed discount creates urgency and gets people to your site. Flash sales, coupon codes in your email newsletter, or bundle deals (“buy two, get one free”) can all drive traffic spikes.

But don’t discount constantly — it trains people to wait for sales instead of buying at full price. Use discounts as a strategic tool, not a habit.

Here’s how we can help

Each month, two (2) $1000 small business grants are awarded: One grant for a For-Profit Women-Owned Businesses and one grant for a Non-Profit Woman-Owned Business. This $1,000 grant is awarded to invest in your business and you will also receive exclusive access to our success mindset coaching group to further support your growth. This is a no strings attached private business grant. You may use the money for any aspect of your business.

NON-PROFIT GRANT LINK: https://www.yippitydoo.com/small-business-grant-optin-non-profit/

Criteria:
Ages 18 Or Over, Within The United States. Non-Profit Women Entrepreneurs/Small Business Owners That Are At Least 50% Owned and Run By A Woman. Your Business Can Already Be Started Or In Idea/Start-Up Stage But Must Be Already Registered As A 501c3.

FOR-PROFIT GRANT LINK: https://www.yippitydoo.com/small-business-grant-optin/
Criteria:
Ages 18 Or Over, Within The United States. For-Profit Women Entrepreneurs/Small Business Owners that are at least 50% owned and run by a woman. Your Business Can Already Be Started Or In Idea/Start-Up Stage