Welcome to Part Five of our Web Traffic Blueprint article series, where we explain how to create an automated traffic generation machine using WordPress.
So far, here is what we have covered in this article series:
In Part 1 of this series, we provided an overview of the traffic automation process, and explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website or blog is the key to generating automated traffic …
(With an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, all you have to do is post web content on a regular basis to attract more traffic!)
In Part 2, we look at the setup phase of the blueprint. We explain the best way to get started 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 using WordPress.
(In Part two we show you how to set up a WordPress web site on your domain)
In Part Three, we focus on important configuration decisions. We explained how to configure all the settings that can affect your website’s traffic-getting ability …
(In Part 3 you learn how to configure all the settings that can affect your website’s traffic-getting ability)
In Part Four, we explained how to set up various WordPress plugins that can get new visitors automatically to your site.
(Publish content one-time and automate your content distribution to all other channels!)
In Part Five of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we discuss ways to optimize traffic to your website using different tools and strategies.
WordPress Traffic System – Traffic Optimization Systems
In addition to getting your WordPress website expertly configured, the key to generating targeted traffic consistently is having a clear business vision, sound digital planning, and excellent systems in place.
(Optimized traffic is the result of a business vision, planning, and great systems)
Let’s briefly review the systems that will help you grow and manage all traffic.
These include:
- Marketing Systems – The processes and methods used to create traffic for your business.
- Technical Systems – How you keep your online presence optimized for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – The systems and processes used to manage and respond to traffic.
(Systems help you grow, automate, optimize, and manage your traffic)
Let’s review the above systems briefly:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to drive traffic to your website. Your marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- What is your content marketing strategy?
- How will you assign your budget and resources to these channels?
- How will you create your content and marketing campaigns?
- How will you test and measure the cost-effectiveness 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 (e.g. Facebook ads) to help generate some initial 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.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems and processes keep your digital presence up and running for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is constantly experiencing problems or your web pages take a very long time to load.
Your technical systems include handling technical areas like webhosting, site maintenance and support, installing, configuring, and updating new software (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.
Your technical systems can be tested by asking 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 anything go wrong?
Many potential issues can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, you should expect to face problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.
Business Systems
You need good business systems and processes to help you manage new traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Managing human and financial resources
- Handling leads and sales inquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you intend to outsource your digital marketing and technical support, then you will need good systems in place to manage all outsourcing.
WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Optimization
With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to focus on are ways to develop, optimize, and automate your “traffic loop”.
Let’s go through an example of implementing, optimizing, and automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the diagram below …
(WordPress can help implement and optimize a traffic loop)
Increase Reach & Visibility Online
The first step of the process is to increase visibility for your website.
Useful Tips
- Your expertly configured WordPress site allows you to instantly share your content on traffic-getting sources like Facebook, Twitter, GooglePlus, etc. The easiest way to increase your reach and visibility online, therefore, is to simply publish more content through your expertly configured WordPress site.
- As mentioned earlier, investing in some paid advertising can help you generate actionable and intelligent 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’s needs.
- Repurpose your content to leverage the power and reach of different media formats.
- Continue learning about ways to attract website traffic using methods like paid ads, solo ads, joint ventures, etc.
Tools & Strategies
See previous sections of this tutorial series for a number of excellent tools, plugins, and methods we’ve already covered to help you reach more potential users.
Also, look for plugins that let you easily add the following to your 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, slides, etc.)
Build Authority And Credibility
Getting more of your content out there is good, but to make this more effective, your content also needs to build authority and credibility with your audience.
Publishing better quality content improves your chances of getting more views from social sharing and hence more traffic.
Useful Tips And Ideas
- Focus on creating and publishing content that adds value to potential users and that showcases your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing instructional PDF guides that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on Clickbank.
Plugins, Tools, & Methods
We have created a complete email email-based training course aimed at helping you come up with limitless content for posting to your website:
Also, contact us to 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 demand.” You can do this by building a list or starting a forum or network.
With “Traffic On Tap,” your traffic will come from customers or subscribers – people who already know 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 commenting and discussions on your site.
- Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a paid or free membership site.
- Create or join an online group on Facebook/LinkedIn.
Plugins, Tools, And Strategies
Many solutions and plugins are available that can help increase your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:
- List-Building Software (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums and Social Communities (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls and Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, image galleries, etc.
Identify Needs/Problems & Provide Solutions
If you take advantage of incoming traffic to discover what users are looking for, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new products and services, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating new sources of web traffic.
Tips
- Consider creating a free or paid online training program.
- Consider publishing a special report that can be sold or distributed online (e.g. sell on on the Amazon Kindle store.
- Add e-commerce to your site.
Plugins, Tools, & Methods
If you plan to provide solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), then some of the more useful plugins you may want to consider adding to your website include:
- Membership Site plugins (e.g. Wishlist Member, S2 Member, etc.)
- Learning Management Systems (e.g. Courseware)
- Event Registrations (e.g. EventEspresso)
Analyze Data & Feedback
The final step of the process is to collect and analyze data. Gathering and interpreting data from existing traffic allows you to discover new ways to create additional traffic.
You should already have installed an analytics program (e.g. Google Analytics) on your website. Make sure you understand the metrics and features and can 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 improve your results.
In summary:
- Begin with an expertly configured WordPress site backed by good marketing, technical and business systems,
- Implement a content marketing strategy (with 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 necessary to help build authority 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, now you have a blueprint that will help you drive more visitors automatically to your web site and improve your business online.
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