Build It and They Will Come… Or Will They?

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You’ve probably heard the famous line from Field of Dreams:
"If you build it, he will come."

In the movie, Kevin Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, hears a mysterious voice whisper this phrase, leading him to carve a baseball field out of his cornfield. It’s a story about faith, redemption, and the deep bond between fathers and sons.

But what happens if we tweak that phrase a little?

"Build it, and they will come."

Sounds great, right? It implies that all you have to do is create something—whether it’s a business, a website, or a product—and people will magically show up. If only it were that simple!


The Harsh Reality of "Build It and They Will Come"

Let’s be real for a second. If all it took was "building it" to attract customers, everyone would be wildly successful. But that’s not how it works.

Take a brick-and-mortar business, for example. You don’t just rent a storefront, slap a sign on the door, and expect people to flood in. You need:

  • Startup funds
  • Permits and licenses
  • Taxes and inventory
  • Marketing strategies
  • Employees (if needed)

That alone is enough to give anyone a headache—especially at 65 when you’d rather be enjoying life than stressing over paperwork.

Now, what about an online business? Sounds easier, right? In many ways, it is. You don’t need a physical location, and startup costs can be much lower. But don’t be fooled—just because it’s online doesn’t mean success comes automatically.


The Truth About Building an Online Business

If you’re thinking about starting a website, blog, or online business, let’s clear up the biggest myth right now:

🚫 Just building a website isn’t enough. 🚫

Why Not?

Because the internet is a vast, crowded place, and standing out takes effort. Here’s why the “build it and they will come” mentality doesn’t work:

1. Your Content Must Be Engaging and Valuable

If you can’t write in a way that makes sense and keeps people interested, they won’t stick around. High-quality, helpful content is the foundation of any successful website.

2. People Have to Actually Want What You’re Offering

Even if your content is great, it has to align with what people are searching for. Understanding your audience’s needs is key.

3. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Is Your Best Friend

Google doesn’t just magically send visitors to your site. You have to learn SEO techniques—using the right keywords, optimizing your pages, and structuring your content properly—to rank higher in search results.

4. Marketing Is Crucial

You can have the best website in the world, but if no one knows it exists, what’s the point? You need to promote it through:

  • Social media
  • Email marketing
  • Paid ads
  • Word-of-mouth
  • Offline strategies

5. Getting Visitors Is Just the Beginning

Once people land on your website, you need a way to convert them into customers—whether that’s through sales, sign-ups, or some other form of engagement.


How Wealthy Affiliate Can Help You Build and Market Your Website

Now, if all of this sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to do it alone. This is where Wealthy Affiliate comes in.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform that helps you build, market, and grow your website successfully. Whether you’re a beginner or someone with experience, they provide step-by-step training to help you:

✅ Build Your Website Easily

  • Get a free website with hosting included
  • Use WordPress to create a professional-looking site
  • Learn how to design and structure your site properly

✅ Master SEO and Get Traffic

  • Learn keyword research to target the right audience
  • Get access to SEO training to rank higher on Google
  • Track your website’s progress with powerful analytics

✅ Market Your Website Like a Pro

  • Learn social media strategies to grow your audience
  • Get email marketing tips to build relationships with potential customers
  • Discover affiliate marketing techniques to make money online

One of the best things about Wealthy Affiliate is its community support. If you ever get stuck, there are thousands of experienced marketers and entrepreneurs ready to help you out.


So, What Should You Do?

Here’s the key takeaway: Yes, you should build it—but don’t stop there.

Think of your website like a new coffee shop. Would you just open the doors and hope people wander in? Or would you:

  • Advertise it
  • Offer promotions
  • Make sure it’s welcoming and easy to navigate?

The same applies online. Your website is an extension of you—your passions, your knowledge, your skills. And if you don’t put in the effort to attract people to it, no one else will.

So go ahead and build it—but then, market it, optimize it, and keep improving it. Because then—and only then—will they come.


Final Thought

If you’re passionate about creating content, don’t let the challenges scare you. The journey of building something meaningful online is worth it. Just remember: success isn’t automatic—it’s earned.

And if you want some guidance along the way, Wealthy Affiliate is a fantastic place to start.

So don’t just build it. Make it irresistible.

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Recent Comments

14

Very strategic post, Keith. I remember making my first website and thinking all I had to do was just post regularly. But as you've mentioned, there are other factors like analytics, SEO and marketing.

And Field of Dreams was a childhood favorite of mine too! ⚾🧢

Isaiah 😁

Hello Isaiah,

Thanks for relating to my post. Maybe this is a common thing. I used to think that way also. Much continued success.

Keith

This post really resonates with me, Keith.

I used to think just building something was enough, but I quickly learned that without marketing and engagement, it’s like opening a shop in the middle of nowhere.

I love the coffee shop comparison—makes so much sense.

Time to not just build, but actually bring people in.

Thanks for the reminder!

All the best,

Boris

Hello Boris,

Marketing and engagement are key components to being successful in any business. Here is wishing you much success!

Keith

These are the cardinal rules for online business success.

Thank you for sharing, your advice, and making them clear.

Makinde

Great advice. Build it and drive traffic to it and keep trying new other ways. I love the two red nails. You nailed it!

John

Hi John,

Thanks for reading my post and commenting on it. I am glad that you learned from it. May you, like all my other followers, find great success or continued success.

Best regards,
Keith

Very good info and much appreciated

Walter,

Thank you for commenting on my post. May you have great online success!

Keith

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