Category: WordPress Optimization

Welcome to Part 5 of our Web Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to drive new visitors automatically to your website using the WordPress CMS.

So far, here is what we have covered in this article series:

In Part One of this series, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress site is the key to generating automated web traffic …

(With an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, all you have to do to generate web traffic is add fresh content consistently!)

In Part 2, we discussed the setup phase of the blueprint. We explained the best way to start if you don’t have a web presence yet, how to set things up if you already have a site, and what to do if your existing site has been built with WordPress.

(In Part two we show you how to set up a WordPress website or blog on your domain)

In Part 3, we focused on important configuration decisions. We configured all the settings that can affect your site’s traffic-getting ability …

(In Part 3 you learn how to configure hosting settings, internal settings, and external settings that affect your site’s traffic-getting ability)

In Part 4, we looked at ways to automate the traffic-getting process using WordPress plugins.

(Publish content once and automate your content distribution to all other channels!)

In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint article series, we look at ways to optimize traffic generation with a number of different tools and methods.

WordPress Traffic Automation System – Traffic Optimization Systems

In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress site, the key to generating consistent traffic of high quality is having a clear business vision, great digital planning, and good systems and process in place.

(Consistent traffic is the product of a business vision, sound planning, and systems)

Let’s review the systems that will help you grow and manage your new traffic.

These systems include:

• Marketing Systems – The processes and methods used to create traffic for your business.
• Technical Systems – How you ensure that your online presence remains optimized for receiving new traffic.
• Business Systems – The systems and processes used to manage and respond to new traffic.

(Systems help you grow and manage your traffic)

Let’s review the above systems briefly:

Marketing Systems

Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to create traffic for your business. You can test your marketing systems by asking questions such as:

• What channels do you plan to use to generate new traffic (e.g. blogging, video marketing, etc)?
• How will you apportion your budget and resources to these marketing channels?
• How will you create and optimize your content and marketing campaigns?
• How will you track conversions and measure the results of your 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 generate some data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience.

Technical Systems

Your technical systems and processes keep your web presence operating efficiently for receiving new traffic. There’s no point sending traffic to your website if your site is experiencing problems or your web pages are taking a very long time to load.

Your technical systems need to adequately handle areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing, configuring, and updating new applications (e.g. plugins), customization, integration, 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 problems can be minimized if your planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, you will run into many new problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.

Business Systems

You need good business systems in place to help you manage new traffic. This includes:

• Communication systems
• Managing human and financial resources
• Handling leads and sales enquiries
• Order fulfillment
• Customer training/service
• etc.

If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical support, then make sure you have implemented good systems to manage all outsourcing.

WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Loops

With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to focus your efforts on is developing, optimizing and automating your “traffic loop”.

Let’s walk through an example of how to implement, optimize, and automate a traffic loop. Take a look at the illustration below …

(Traffic loop)

Increase Reach And Visibility

Step 1 of the process is to expose your business to as many traffic generation sites and channels as possible.

Useful Tips And Ideas

• Your expertly configured WordPress site will allow you to automatically publish your content on places 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. pay-per-click ads) can help you generate data, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience’s needs.
• Repurpose your content to leverage the power, appeal, and reach of different media formats.
• Continue learning about ways to drive web site visitors using methods like Facebook ads, YouTube, email ads, etc.

Tools & Strategies

See earlier sections of this article series for a number of useful plugins, tools, and strategies we’ve already covered to help you reach more potential users.

Also, look for WordPress plugins that let you easily add the following to your website or blog:

• Share your comments and posts online,
• Run contests, offer discounts/downloads for shares/likes,
• 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 a great first step, but for this activity to be really effective, your content also needs to build authority and credibility with users.

Publishing higher quality content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting it shared around and viewed by more people and hence more visitors.

Tips

• Focus on creating and publishing content that will add value to users and showcase your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
• Consider publishing instructional PDF guides or special reports that can be sold or distributed online.

Tools And Strategies

We have created an entire email course on how to develop a content marketing strategy, how to promote your business with content, and ways to never run out of content ideas that you can plug into for free here:

Also, see other posts on this site to learn more about plugins that let you easily add the following to your website or blog:

• Legal Pages
• Testimonials
• Customer Support (e.g. Helpdesk, Live Chat, etc.)
• Ratings
• User Reviews
• Badges/Certificates Of Trust

Grow Influence & Engagement

As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on demand.” You can achieve this by building a list or starting a forum or network.

With “Traffic On Demand,” your traffic comes from customers or subscribers – people who already like you and trust you. Your influence and credibility can be used to generate new traffic with every blog post you publish or email you send out.

Traffic Optimization Ideas

• Encourage visitors to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
• Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a free or paid membership site, online forum, or social community.
• Start or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.

Tools, Plugins, & Methods

Many solutions and WordPress plugins are available that are easy to implement and can help increase your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:

• List-Building Tools (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, etc.)
• Contact Forms, Live Chat
• Forums and Discussion Groups (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
• Polls & Surveys
• Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
• Comment sharing
• Add media, video galleries, etc.

Identify Problems And Provide Solutions

If you take advantage of incoming traffic to find out what your visitors are searching for, you should have no problem developing new services, products, and solutions, all of which provide new opportunities to generate new streams of traffic.

Useful Tips

• Create an online training program.
• Publish a “how to” guide that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on Clickbank.
• Add e-commerce to your site.

Tools, Plugins, & Strategies

If you plan to provide solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), look for plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your website:

• Membership Sites (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 to collect and analyze data. By interpreting data gathered from existing traffic, you can discover new traffic opportunities.

You should already have installed an analytics tool like Google Analytics on your website. Make sure you understand the metrics and features and can interpret the data.

WordPress Traffic Automation System – Summary

All you have to do once you implement the above strategies is repeat the process over and over again, 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 (consider also investing in some paid advertising to drive initial traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
• Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other solutions as needed to help build authority, trust, and credibility, and also to improve engagement with visitors,
• 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 visitors automatically to your WordPress website and build a better business online.

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