How to get your first 500 visitors to your website

The #1 step for any new website: decide exactly who you’re talking to. Trying to reach “everyone” kills growth. The more specific you are, the faster you’ll grow.

You can find your niche by looking your interests and skills and slice it into sub-topics. After that, you can choose one of these subtopics by checking demand or competition

Once you know your audience, the next step is how to reach them. In the beginning, don’t spread yourself too thin. Pick one main funnel and focus.

1. Social Media

Share content and engage on platforms like X, YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Pros: Fast to start, free, can go viral.
Cons: Requires consistency, algorithms change, can feel like shouting into the void at first.

2. Paid Ads

Pay for traffic on Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or LinkedIn.
Pros: Fastest way to drive traffic, targeted reach.
Cons: Costs money, stops working once you stop paying, not ideal for beginners with tiny budgets.

3. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Create blog posts or landing pages that rank on Google.
Pros: Long-term, free traffic once you rank.
Cons: Takes months, requires learning keyword research and optimization.

Want a deep dive? Check our guide on how to increase your traffic with SEO.

Of course, there are also other channels (email marketing, affiliate marketing, guest content, partnerships). But for your first 500 visitors, focus on one of the big three, why not email marketing.

Not every funnel is right for every project. Here’s how to think about it:

• Blogs: SEO + Pinterest + communities work well.
• SaaS: Social media (X/LinkedIn), communities, Product Hunt, and sometimes paid ads.
• Creative projects: Instagram, TikTok, and visuals shine.

Every product has an audience, every audience has a home. Show up, say hi, and join the family.

Rule of thumb: Go where your audience already hangs out and double down there.

Getting traffic isn’t just about where you share, it’s also how you share.

• Give context: Instead of just dropping a link, explain why you built it and who it helps.
• Use visuals: Screenshots, gifs, short videos catch attention.
• Tell a story: “I had this problem, so I built this solution.”
• CTA (Call to Action): Be clear — “Read the post,” “Try the tool,” “Sign up.”

People engage with stories and benefits, not just raw links. Make it about them, not just you.

1. Pick a specific audience → don’t try to reach everyone.
2. Choose one main funnel (social, paid, SEO, Cold email) → focus there.
3. Pick the platform where your audience lives.
4. Present your work with context, visuals, and a clear CTA.

The first 500 visitors are the hardest, but once you get momentum, growth compounds. Keep testing, keep sharing, and remember — you don’t need 8 billion people, you just need the right 500 to start.