Welcome to Part 5 of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to create an automated web traffic generation machine using the WordPress CMS platform.
So far, here is what we have covered in this article series:
In Part 1, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website or blog is the key to automating traffic to your site …
(With an expertly configured WordPress site, all you have to do to automatically drive more traffic is add fresh content on a consistent basis!)
In Part Two, we focused on the setup phase of the automation blueprint. We helped 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 website, and what to do if your existing site has been built using WordPress.
(In Part 2 we show you where to set up a WordPress web site on your domain)
In Part 3, we focused on the configuration phase. We explained how to configure all the settings that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …
(In Part Three you learn how to configure hosting settings, WordPress settings, and external settings that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically)
In Part Four, we showed you how to set up various plugins that can help get traffic automatically to your website or blog.
(Publish content one-time, automate the rest!)
In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint article series, we discuss ways to optimize your traffic with different tools and strategies.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation Blueprint – Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress site, generating traffic successfully on a consistent basis is achieved by having a well-defined business vision, great digital planning, and great systems and process in place.
(Generating automated traffic is the result of having a clear business vision, planning, and systems)
Let’s briefly review the systems that will help you grow and manage your new traffic.
These include:
- Marketing Systems – How you create traffic for your business.
- Technical Systems – The systems used to keep your digital presence operating efficiently for receiving traffic.
- Business Systems – The systems used to manage and respond to new traffic.
(Use systems to grow, automate, optimize, 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. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:
- What channels do you plan to use to drive traffic (e.g. blogging, PPC advertising, video marketing, etc)?
- How will you allocate your budget and resources to these channels?
- How will you create and optimize your content and marketing campaigns?
- How will you track conversions and measure the cost-effectiveness of your online marketing campaigns?
During the setup and configuration phase, you should 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 initial actionable 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.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems and processes ensure that your online presence remains up and running for receiving new traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is experiencing problems or your web pages are taking a very long time to load.
Your systems include handling technical areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing, configuring, and updating software (e.g. plugins), customization, integration, troubleshooting, etc.
You can test your technical systems by questions such as:
- Who looks after my server?
- Who is looking after my website and keeping my site, plugins, themes, etc. maintained and up-to-date?
- Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. should things go wrong?
Many potential problems can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, new problems will always arise. Your technical systems need to be robust enough to handle these.
Business Systems
You need good operational systems and processes to help you manage new traffic. This includes:
- Communication systems
- Resources management – human, financial
- Handling leads and sales enquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you intend to outsource areas of your digital marketing and technical maintenance, then you will need to put systems in place for managing all outsourcing.
WordPress Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Optimization
If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on is developing a “traffic loop”.
Let’s walk through an example of implementing, optimizing, and further automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the chart below …
(An effective traffic loop)
Increase Reach And Visibility
Step 1 of the process is to increase visibility for your website.
Tips
- Your 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 can help you generate actionable data such as the keywords people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create web 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 visitors using methods like Twitter, PPC advertising, Reddit, etc.
Tools And Methods
See earlier sections of this article series for many useful tools, plugins, and strategies we’ve already covered to help you reach more potential users.
Also, ask us about WordPress plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your website:
- Share your posts online with others,
- Run contests, offer downloads or discounts for likes/shares,
- Add user generated content, feeds, etc.
- Distribute content online in various media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, slides, etc.)
Build Authority & Credibility
Getting more of your content published 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 views from social sharing and hence more visitors.
Traffic Optimization Ideas
- Focus on content that will add value to your audience and showcase your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing a special report that can be sold or distributed online (e.g. sell on Clickbank.
Tools, Plugins, & Methods
We have created a complete email series designed to help you never run out of great content ideas for posting to your web site:
Also, if you haven’t already, look for WordPress plugins that let you 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 & Engagement
As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can do this by building a list or starting an online group.
With “Traffic On Demand,” your traffic will come from customers or subscribers – people who already know you and trust you. Your influence and reputation can be used to generate traffic with a single blog post or broadcast.
Useful Tips And Ideas
- Encourage users to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
- Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a free, paid, or ‘freemium’ membership site.
- Create or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.
Tools & Methods
There are many solutions and WordPress plugins that can help increase your influence and improve engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums & Discussion Groups (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls & Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, image galleries, etc.
Identify Problems & Provide Solutions
If you take advantage of incoming traffic to discover what problems your users are trying to solve, you can develop new services and products, all of which can provide you with new opportunities to generate new sources of traffic.
Useful Tips
- Consider creating an online training program.
- Consider publishing expert reports that can be sold or distributed online.
- Add e-commerce to your site.
Plugins, Tools, & Methods
If you plan to provide products and services online (as opposed to just providing information), then some of the more useful WordPress plugins you may want to add to your site include:
- Membership Site plugins (e.g. Wishlist Member, S2 Member, etc.)
- e-Learning 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.
You should have already installed an analytics program like Google Analytics on your site. Make sure you also learn how to interpret the data.
WordPress Web Traffic System – Summary
Once you implement the above strategies, all you have to do is repeat the same process, fine-tuning and refining your methods as you go to grow your traffic and get better your results.
In summary:
- Start 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 traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
- Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other solutions as necessary to build authority and credibility, and also to increase 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, now you have a blueprint that will help you automate and optimize the process of driving visitors to your website and build a more successful business online.
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"This is AMAZING! I had learnt about how to use WordPress previously, but this covers absolutely everything and more!! Incredible value! Thank you!" - Monique, Warrior Forum
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