Welcome to Part 5 of our Web Site 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 series:
In Part 1 of this article series, we described the traffic automation process, and explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website or blog is the key to automating traffic to your website …
(With an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, all you have to do is post new content on a regular basis to automatically drive traffic!)
In Part Two, we look at the setup phase. We explain 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 website, and what to do if your website has been built using WordPress.
(In Part two we show you where to set up a WordPress website or blog on your domain)
In Part Three, we focused on important configuration decisions. We configured all the settings that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …
(In Part Three you will configure all the settings that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically)
In Part 4, we looked at ways to automate the traffic system using various WordPress plugins.
(Publish once to WordPress and automate the distribution of your content to all other marketing channels!)
In Part Five of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we look at ways to optimize the traffic system with different tools and strategies.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress site, the key to generating high-quality traffic consistently is having a clearly-defined business vision, sound digital planning, and great systems in place.
(Generating automated traffic is the result of a business vision, sound planning, and excellent systems)
Let’s review the systems that will help you grow and manage your new traffic.
These include:
- Marketing Systems – How you drive new traffic to your website.
- Technical Systems – The systems and processes used to ensure that your web presence remains up and running for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – How you manage and respond to new traffic.
(Systems help you grow, automate, optimize, and manage your web traffic)
Let’s briefly review how important these systems are:
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 is your online marketing strategy?
- How will you apportion your marketing budget and resources to these channels?
- How will you create your content and marketing campaigns?
- How will you test and measure the results 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 (e.g. pay-per-click ads) to help you generate some initial 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 keep your web presence operating efficiently for receiving traffic. There’s no point sending traffic to your website if your site is experiencing problems or your web pages take a long time to load.
Your systems include handling areas like webhosting, site maintenance and support, installing, configuring, and updating new applications (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.
You can test your technical systems by questions such as:
- Who looks after my server?
- Who looks after my website and keeps my site maintained and up-to-date?
- Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. if issues arise?
Many potential issues can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been completed correctly. Like all technology, however, you should expect new problems. Your technical systems need to be able to handle these.
Business Systems
Your business systems and processes help you manage the influx of new traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Resources management – human, financial
- Handling leads and sales enquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer training/service
- etc.
If you intend to outsource your digital marketing and technical services, then make sure you also implement great systems for managing all outsourcing processes.
WordPress Web Traffic System – Optimizing Traffic Generation
If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on is how to develop, optimize, and further automate 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 …
(WordPress can help implement and optimize your traffic loop)
Increase Reach & Visibility
The first step of the process is to increase visibility for your website or blog.
Tips
- An expertly configured WordPress site allows you to instantly notify and publicize your content to social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. The easiest way to increase your reach and visibility online, therefore, is to simply publish more content on your site.
- As mentioned earlier, investing in some paid advertising can help generate some initial actionable and intelligent data such as the keywords people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create content targeted specifically 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 more web traffic using methods like Twitter, videos, cross promotions, etc.
Plugins, Tools, And Methods
We’ve already covered a number of useful tools and methods in earlier sections of this tutorial series.
Also, look for WordPress plugins that let you easily add the following to your website:
- Share your posts online,
- Run contests, offer discounts or 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 & Credibility
Getting more of your content published is good, but to make this more effective, your content needs to build authority and credibility with your audience.
Publishing higher quality content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting more shares and views and hence more visitors.
Useful Tips
- Focus on creating content that will add value to potential visitors and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing expert reports that can be sold or distributed online (e.g. sell on Amazon.
Tools, Plugins, & Strategies
We have created an entire course on how to develop a content marketing strategy, how to promote your business with content, content creation tools, and how to never run out of new ideas for content that you can plug into for free here:
Also, contact us to learn more about 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 And Engagement
As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can achieve this by building a list or starting an online community or even your own social site.
With “Traffic On Demand,” all of your traffic comes from an audience of existing 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.
Traffic Optimization Ideas
- Encourage users to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
- Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a paid, free, or ‘freemium’ membership site, online forum, or social community.
- Start or join an online group on Facebook.
Tools And Strategies
Many solutions and WordPress plugins are available that can help grow your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders/Email Newsletters (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, 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 Needs/Problems & Provide Solutions To These
If you take advantage of incoming traffic to discover what problems your visitors are trying to solve, you can have an endless funnel of ideas for new services and products, all of which provide new opportunities for generating new streams of web traffic.
Useful Tips
- Create an online training course.
- Consider publishing special reports that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on Clickbank.
- Add e-commerce to your business.
Plugins, Tools, & Strategies
If you plan to provide services, products, and solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), see other posts on this site to learn more about WordPress plugins that let you easily add the following to your website or blog:
- 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 traffic opportunities.
Hopefully, by now you have already installed an analytics program (e.g. Google Analytics) on your site. Make sure you can also understand the data.
WordPress Web Traffic System – 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:
- 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 as necessary 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 web site and build a better business online.
***
"These tutorials have so much information and are easy to understand. If you use WordPress or plan to in the future these will help you with everything you need to know." - Valisa (Mesa, Arizona)
***