Welcome to Part Five of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to automate traffic to your website using the WordPress CMS platform.
So far, here is what we have covered in this series:
In Part 1 of this series, we provide an overview of the traffic automation process, and explain why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to automating traffic to your website …
(With an expertly configured WordPress blog, all you have to do to automatically start generating traffic is add new content regularly!)
In Part 2, we look at the setup phase. We help you understand the best way to get started 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 is built using WordPress.
(In Part 2 we show you how to set up a WordPress site on your domain)
In Part Three, we focused on important configuration decisions. We configured webhosting settings, WordPress settings, and external settings that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically …
(In Part Three you will configure hosting settings, WordPress settings, and external settings that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically)
In Part Four, we discussed ways to automate traffic to your website using various WordPress plugins.
(Publish once to WordPress and automate the distribution of your content to all other marketing channels!)
In Part 5 of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint article series, we discuss ways to optimize traffic generation using different tools and methods.
WordPress Traffic Automation System – Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website, generating traffic successfully on a consistent basis is the product of a clearly-defined business vision, sound digital planning, and excellent systems in place.
(Automated traffic is the result of a business vision, planning, and excellent systems)
Let’s review briefly the systems that will help you grow and manage all traffic.
These systems include:
- Marketing Systems – How you create traffic for your website.
- Technical Systems – The systems and processes used to ensure that your online presence remains up and running for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – How you manage and respond to new traffic.
(Systems help you grow and manage your web traffic)
Let’s review the above systems briefly:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and methods used to create traffic for your website. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:
- What is your online marketing strategy?
- What resources and portion of your budget will you allocate to these channels?
- How will you create and optimize your content, sales funnels, and marketing campaigns?
- How will you track conversions and measure the ROI 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 (e.g. Facebook ads) to help generate some intelligence. If you’re tracking your marketing campaigns correctly, this should yield some actionable data, such as the keywords 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 digital presence remains optimized for receiving 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 areas like webhosting, site maintenance and support, installing 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 maintained and up-to-date?
- Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. when problems arise?
Many potential issues can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been completed correctly. As with all technology, however, you should expect to face new problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.
Business Systems
You need good operational systems in place to help you manage the influx of traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Managing human and financial resources
- Handling leads and sales enquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer training/service
- etc.
If you intend to outsource key aspects of your digital marketing and technical services, then make sure you have implemented good systems for managing all outsourcing processes.
WordPress Traffic Automation System – Traffic Optimization Strategies
If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on is growing, optimizing and automating a “traffic loop”.
Let’s go through an example of how to implement, optimize, and further automate a traffic loop. Take a look at the flowchart below …
(An effective traffic loop)
Increase Reach And Visibility Online
Step 1 of the process is to increase visibility for your business and website.
Useful Tips & Ideas
- An expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically syndicate your content to places like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. The easiest way to increase your reach and visibility online, therefore, is to simply publish more content.
- As mentioned earlier, investing in some paid advertising can help you generate data, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience.
- Repurpose your content to leverage the power, appeal, and reach of different media formats.
- Continue learning about ways to drive more visitors using methods like LinkedIn, PPC advertising, updates, etc.
Tools, Plugins, & Strategies
We’ve already covered a number of useful tools and methods in previous sections of this tutorial series.
Also, look for plugins that let you easily add the following to your WordPress website or blog:
- Share your comments and posts online with others,
- Run contests, offer discounts or downloads for likes/shares,
- Accept user generated content, feeds, etc.
- Publish and distribute content online in other media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, infographics, etc.)
Build Authority & Credibility
Getting more of your content out there is good, but for this activity to be really effective, your content needs to be building authority and credibility with your audience.
Publishing authoritative content improves your chances of getting more people to share it around 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 educates and informs readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing educational guides or special reports that you can sell or distribute online.
Tools & Methods
We have created a detailed email course on how to develop a content marketing strategy, how to promote your business with content, and ways to never run out of new ideas for web content that you can plug into at no cost here:
Also, ask us about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your website:
- Legal Pages
- Testimonials
- Customer Support (e.g. Helpdesk, Live Chat, etc.)
- Ratings
- User Reviews
- Badges/Certificates Of Recognition
Grow Influence And Engagement
At some point, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can achieve this by building a list or starting your own online community or social network.
With “Traffic On Demand,” all of your traffic will come from an audience of existing 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, forum post you add, or email broadcast you send out.
Tips
- Encourage users 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.
- Create or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.
Plugins, Tools, And Strategies
There are many solutions and WordPress plugins that can help increase your online influence and improve engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders/Email Newsletters (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, video galleries, etc.
Identify Problems And Provide Solutions To These
By taking advantage of incoming traffic to discover what problems your users are trying to solve, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new solutions, all of which provide new opportunities for generating new sources of traffic.
Useful Tips
- Create an online training course.
- Publish PDF guides that you can sell or distribute online.
- Consider adding an e-commerce store to your business.
Plugins, Tools, And 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 WordPress 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 the collection and analysis of data. Gathering and interpreting data from existing traffic allows you to discover new ways to generate additional traffic.
You should have already installed an analytics tool like Google Analytics on your site. Make sure you understand the metrics and can interpret the data.
WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Summary
All you have to do once you implement the above strategies is repeat the 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 adding 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 methods as needed to build authority 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, 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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