Welcome to Part 5 of our WordPress Web Site Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to create an automated web traffic machine using WordPress.
So far, here is what we have covered in this article series:
In Part One, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to generating automated web traffic …
(With an expertly configured WordPress web site, all you have to do to automatically begin attracting more web traffic is post great content on a regular basis!)
In Part Two, we look at the setup phase. We help you understand the best way to start if you don’t have a website yet, how to set everything up if you already have a site, and what to do if your site is built with WordPress.
(In Part 2 we show you how to set up WordPress on your domain)
In Part Three, we focus on important configuration decisions. We configured web hosting settings, WordPress settings, and external settings that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …
(In Part 3 you will configure all the settings that affect your website’s traffic-getting ability)
In Part 4, we explained how to set up various plugins that can help bring web traffic automatically to your website as you begin publishing new content regularly.
(Publish content once, automate the rest!)
In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we discuss ways to optimize your traffic with different tools and methods.
WordPress Web Traffic System – Traffic Optimization Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, the key to generating successfully on a consistent basis is having a clear business vision, great digital planning, and excellent systems and process in place.
(Consistent traffic is the product of a business vision, sound planning, and great systems)
Let’s review the systems that will help you grow and manage this traffic.
These systems include:
- Marketing Systems – The processes and methods used to drive traffic to your website.
- Technical Systems – How you keep your digital presence operating efficiently for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – The systems used to manage and respond to new traffic.
(Systems help you grow, automate, and manage your web traffic)
Let’s review the importance of the above systems briefly:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and methods used to create traffic for your business. Your marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- What is your content marketing strategy/online marketing strategy?
- How will you apply your marketing budget and resources to these channels?
- How will you create and optimize your content, sales funnels, and run your marketing campaigns?
- How will you track conversions and measure the cost-effectiveness of your marketing campaigns?
During the setup and configuration phase, you would have installed an analytics program (e.g. Google Analytics). If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider investing in some paid advertising to help you generate some data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience’s needs.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems and processes keep your web presence operating efficiently for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is down or your pages take a long time to load.
Your technical systems need to handle technical areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing and updating new applications (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.
You can test your technical systems by questions such as:
- Who will look after my webhosting?
- Who will look after my website and keep my site maintained and up-to-date?
- Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. if you experience difficulties?
Many potential issues can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. Like all technology, however, you will run into problems. Your technical systems need to be robust enough to handle these.
Business Systems
Your business systems and processes help you manage new traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Resources management – human, financial
- Handling leads and sales inquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical services, then make sure you have implemented excellent systems to manage all outsourcing.
WordPress Web Traffic System – Traffic Optimization
If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on are ways to implement your “traffic loop”.
Let’s walk through an example of implementing, optimizing, and further automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the diagram below …
(Implementing, automating and optimizing your traffic loop)
Increase Reach And Visibility
The first step of the process is to increase visibility for your website.
Useful Tips And Ideas
- An expertly configured WordPress site will allow you to automatically publish your content on sites like Facebook, Twitter, GooglePlus, etc. The easiest way to increase your reach and visibility online, therefore, is to simply publish more content online.
- As mentioned earlier, investing in some paid advertising (e.g. Google AdWords) can help generate some initial actionable data, which you can use to create content targeted specifically to your audience.
- Repurpose your content to leverage different media formats.
- Continue learning about ways to drive more web visitors using methods like Pinterest advertising, videos, email, etc.
Plugins, Tools, & Strategies
We’ve already covered many useful tools, plugins, and strategies in earlier sections of this tutorial series.
Also, if you haven’t already, contact us to learn more about plugins that let you easily add the following to your WordPress website or blog:
- Share your comments and posts online,
- Run contests, offer downloads or discounts for likes/shares,
- Accept user generated content, feeds, etc.
- Publish and distribute content online in different media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, infographics, etc.)
Build Authority And Credibility
Getting more content out there is good, but for this activity to be really effective, your content also needs to be building authority and credibility with visitors.
Publishing better quality content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting more shares and views and hence more traffic.
Useful Tips And Ideas
- Create and publish content that will add value to your audience and showcase your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing special reports that can be sold or distributed online.
Tools & Strategies
We have created a complete email course designed to help you come up with unlimited content ideas for your site:
Also, if you haven’t already, learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your site:
- Legal Pages
- Testimonials
- Customer Support (e.g. Helpdesk, Live Chat, etc.)
- Ratings
- User Reviews
- Badges/Certificates Of Trust
Grow Influence And Engagement
As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can do this by growing a list or starting your own community.
With “Traffic On Demand,” your traffic comes from an audience of customers or subscribers – people who already like you and trust you. Your influence and credibility can be used to generate new traffic with every post you publish or broadcast you send out.
Useful Tips & Ideas
- Encourage visitors to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
- Add an autoresponder newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a free, paid, or ‘freemium’ membership site.
- Start or join an online group on LinkedIn/Facebook.
Tools, Plugins, & Strategies
There are many solutions and plugins that are easy to implement and can help grow your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums & Social Communities (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls & Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, image galleries, etc.
Identify Needs & Provide Solutions
By taking advantage of incoming traffic to find out what problems your users are trying to solve, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new products, services, and solutions, all of which provide new opportunities for generating additional traffic.
Traffic Optimization Ideas
- Create an online training program.
- Publish an instructional PDF guide that can be sold or distributed online.
- Add an e-commerce store to your business.
Tools & Methods
If you plan to provide services and products online (as opposed to just providing information), learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your website:
- Membership Site plugins (e.g. Wishlist Member, S2 Member, etc.)
- e-Courses (e.g. Courseware)
- Event Registrations (e.g. EventEspresso)
Analyze Data & Feedback
The final step of the process is the collection and analysis of data. Gathering and interpreting data from existing traffic allows you to discover new traffic opportunities.
Hopefully, by now you have already installed an analytics program (e.g. Google Analytics) on your site. Make sure you understand the metrics and features and can interpret the data.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation Blueprint – Summary
Once you implement the above strategies, all you have to do is repeat the process, fine-tuning and refining your methods as you go to grow your traffic and improve your results.
In summary:
- Begin with an expertly configured WordPress site backed by solid marketing, technical and business systems,
- Implement a content marketing strategy (with some paid advertising to drive traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
- Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other solutions if necessary to help build authority, trust, and credibility, and also to improve engagement with users,
- Promote any new solutions, products or services using your existing channels and strategies to generate additional streams of traffic,
- Analyse your data and your results, automate your processes wherever possible, and begin the cycle again.
Hopefully, this post has given you a blueprint that will help you drive more traffic automatically to your WordPress website and improve your business online.
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"If you're new to WordPress, this can stand on its own as a training course and will stay with you as you progress from beginner to advanced and even guru status." - Bruce (Columbus, Ohio)
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