Before creating a site, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is something you should be aware of. Make sure you've done careful researches on the best keywords to use. Using the wrong keywords would eliminate your site from search engines forever!
In addition to On-page Optimization, to rank well in search engines you must optimize your Off-Page factors as well. What you have to do is basically creating many links pointing to your site and getting links from different IP Addresses.
Having many links pointing to your site means you have many votes. The more votes you get, the more popular you are to the search engines.
To create many links pointing to your site, the first thing you can do is submit your site to major search engines as well as directories. You can also start blog commenting without spamming which adds links pointing to your site. You can also do minor link exchange with other related sites. But you have to make sure you are linking to good websites!
Additionally, you can also write articles and submit them to major article sites as well as joining online forums and making a post containing your site's URL in the signature.
Improve your Off-Page and the search engines will love you!