Tag: Drive More Visitors To WordPress Site

Welcome to Part 5 of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we explain how to create an automated traffic generating machine using the WordPress CMS.

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

In Part 1 of this article series, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to generating automated web traffic …

(With an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, all you have to do is add new content consistently to begin bringing new traffic!)

In Part Two, we focused on critical setup decisions. We explained the best way to get started 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 website was built using WordPress.

(In Part two we show you where to set up a WordPress site on your domain)

In Part Three, we look at the configuration phase of the traffic automation process. We configured all the settings that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically …

(In Part 3 we show you how to configure all the settings (hosting, WordPress and external) that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically)

In Part Four, we explained how to set up various plugins that can bring new visitors automatically to your site as you begin to post fresh content regularly.

(Publish once, automate the rest!)

In this article, we look at ways to optimize traffic generation with different tools and strategies.

WordPress Traffic Automation System – Systems

In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, generating high-quality traffic consistently is the result of a well-defined business vision, great digital planning, and excellent systems and process in place.

(Automating traffic is the result of a business vision, planning, and great systems)

Let’s review briefly the systems that will help you grow and manage this traffic.

These systems include:

• Marketing Systems – How you create traffic for your business.
• Technical Systems – How you 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, 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 drive new traffic to your website. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:

• What channels will you use to generate new traffic (e.g. blogging, PPC advertising, video marketing, etc)?
• What resources and portion of your marketing budget will you allocate to these channels?
• Who will create your content, sales funnels, and marketing campaigns?
• How will you track conversions and measure the results of your online 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. pay-per-click ads) 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 web content targeted specifically to your audience.

Technical Systems

Your technical systems ensure that your online presence remains optimized for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is constantly experiencing problems or your web pages are taking too long to load.

Your systems need to handle areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing and updating new software (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, plugins, themes, etc. 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 website planning and setup and configuration phases have been completed correctly. Like all technology, however, you should expect problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.

Business Systems

Your business systems help you manage and respond to the influx of 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 key aspects of your digital marketing and technical support, then you will need to put excellent systems in place for managing all outsourcing processes.

WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – Optimizing Traffic Generation

With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to focus on is how to implement your “traffic loop”.

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

(Implement and optimize a traffic loop)

Increase Reach And Visibility

The first step of the process is to increase visibility for your website or blog.

Traffic Tips

• 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. Facebook ads) can help generate some initial data, which you can use to create content targeted specifically to your audience.
• Repurpose your content to leverage the power and reach of different media formats.
• Continue learning about ways to drive more visitors using methods like SEO, podcasts, StumbleUpon, etc.

Tools, Plugins, & Strategies

We’ve covered many useful tools and methods in earlier sections of this tutorial series.

Also, if you haven’t already, see other posts and tutorials on this site to learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress website:

• Share your comments and posts online with others,
• Run contests, offer discounts/downloads for likes/shares,
• Add user generated content, feeds, etc.
• Distribute content online in different media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, slides, etc.)

Build Authority & Credibility

Getting more content published is good, but to make this more effective, your content also needs to build authority and credibility with users.

Publishing better quality content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting it shared around and hence more traffic.

Tips

• Create and publish content that will add value to potential visitors and showcase your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
• Consider publishing special guides that can be sold or distributed online.

Plugins, Tools, And Strategies

We have created a complete email course aimed at helping you never run out of great content for your site:

Also, if you haven’t already, ask us about plugins that allow you to 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 Recognition

Grow Influence & Engagement

At some point, you may want to consider developing “traffic on demand.” You can do this by growing a list or starting an online network.

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

Traffic Optimization Tips

• Encourage commenting and discussions on your site.
• Add an autoresponder newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a paid, free, or ‘freemium’ membership site, online forum, or social community.
• Create or join an online group on Facebook.

Tools And Methods

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

• Autoresponders (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, 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 And Provide Solutions

By taking advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what your visitors are searching for, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new services, products, and solutions, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating additional web traffic.

Useful Tips

• Create a free or paid e-learning course.
• Publish a special report that you can sell or distribute online.
• Add an e-commerce store to your business.

Plugins, Tools, & Strategies

If you plan to provide services, products, and solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), ask us about WordPress plugins that let you easily add the following to your website:

• Membership Sites (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 gives you the opportunity to discover new traffic opportunities.

You should have already installed an analytics program like Google Analytics on your website. Make sure you can also understand the data.

WordPress Web Traffic Automation Blueprint – Summary

All you have to do once you implement the above strategies 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:

• 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 methods if needed 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 drive more visitors automatically to your website and build a better business online.

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