Welcome to Part 5 of our WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to create an automated traffic generating machine using the WordPress CMS platform.
So far, here is what we have covered in this series:
In Part 1 of this series, we explain why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to automating traffic to your website …
(With an expertly configured WordPress web site, all you have to do is add fresh content regularly to begin bringing web traffic!)
In Part Two, we looked at the setup phase. We helped you understand the best way to start if you don’t have a web presence yet, how to set everything up if you already have a website, and what to do if your site has been built with WordPress.
(In Part 2 we show you where to set up WordPress on your domain)
In Part 3, we look at important configuration decisions. We configured all the settings (hosting, internal and external) that can affect your site’s traffic-getting ability …
(In Part Three you will configure all the settings that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically)
In Part 4, we discussed ways to automate the traffic system using various WordPress plugins.
(Publish content once and automate your content distribution to all other services!)
In Part 5 of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we discuss ways to optimize your traffic with different tools and methods.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation Blueprint – Traffic Optimization 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, sound digital planning, and excellent systems and process in place.
(Optimized traffic is the product of having a clear business vision, planning, and great systems)
Let’s briefly review the systems that will help you grow and manage your new traffic.
These include:
- Marketing Systems – The processes and strategies used to drive traffic to your website.
- Technical Systems – How you ensure that your digital presence remains operating efficiently for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – The systems used to manage and respond to traffic.
(Systems help you grow, automate, optimize, and manage your web traffic)
Let’s briefly review how important these systems are for traffic:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to create new traffic for your website. Your online marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- What channels will you use to drive new traffic (e.g. blogging, facebook advertising, video marketing, etc)?
- How will you assign your budget and resources to these channels?
- Who will create and optimize your content, sales funnels, and run your marketing campaigns?
- How will you measure the results of your online 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 to help you generate some data, such as the keywords people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create web content better targeted to your audience’s needs.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems ensure that your digital presence remains optimized for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is constantly experiencing problems or your pages take a very long time to load.
Your 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 is looking 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. should problems arise?
Many potential problems can be minimized if your planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. Like all technology, however, you can expect to face 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 traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Resources management – human, financial
- Handling sales inquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical services, then make sure you also implement excellent systems to manage all outsourcing.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Optimizing Traffic Generation
With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to do is to develop a “traffic loop”.
Let’s walk through an example of how to implement, optimize, and further automate a traffic loop. Take a look at the chart below …
(Implementing an effective traffic loop)
Increase Reach & Visibility Online
Step 1 of the process is to increase visibility for your business and website.
Traffic Optimization Ideas
- An expertly configured WordPress site will allow you to instantly notify and publicize your content to social media accounts 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 some initial actionable and intelligent 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 get more web site traffic using methods like Facebook ads, PPC advertising, StumbleUpon, etc.
Plugins, Tools, And Strategies
See previous sections of this article series for a number of excellent tools, plugins, and methods we’ve already covered to help you reach more potential users.
Also, if you haven’t already, look for plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress site:
- Share your posts online,
- Run contests, offer downloads or discounts 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 And Credibility
Getting more of your content published is great, but to make this activity more effective, your content needs to build authority and credibility with visitors.
Publishing higher quality content improves your chances of getting it shared around and viewed by more people and hence more visitors.
Tips
- Create and publish content that will add value to potential users and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing instructional PDF guides or special reports that you can sell or distribute online.
Tools, Plugins, & Methods
We have created a detailed 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 ideas for web content that you can plug into at no cost here:
Also, look for 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 tap.” You can do this by growing a list or starting an online forum, community, or even your own social network.
With “Traffic On Demand,” your traffic comes 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 a single post or email broadcast.
Useful Tips
- Encourage users to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
- Add an autoresponder training course and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a paid, free, or ‘freemium’ membership site.
- Start or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.
Tools & Methods
There are many solutions and plugins that can help increase your influence and improve engagement. For example:
- List-Building Software (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums & Social Communities (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls & Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, video galleries, etc.
Identify Problems And Provide Solutions
If you take advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what users are searching for, you should have no problem developing new services, products, and solutions, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating new sources of web traffic.
Useful Tips And Ideas
- Consider creating a free or paid e-learning course.
- Publish expert guides that you can sell or distribute online.
- Add e-commerce to your business.
Tools, Plugins, And Methods
If you plan to provide services and products online (as opposed to just providing information), learn more about WordPress plugins that let you easily add the following to your site:
- 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 the collection and analysis of data. By learning to interpret data gathered from existing traffic, you can discover new opportunities to create additional traffic.
Hopefully, by now you have already installed an analytics tool (e.g. Google Analytics) on your website. Make sure you understand the metrics and features and can interpret the data.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Summary
Once you implement the above strategies, all you have to do is rinse and repeat, 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 help 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, this information has given you a blueprint that will help you automate and optimize the process of driving visitors to your WordPress web site and build a more successful business online.
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"This is an awesome training series. I have a pretty good understanding of WordPress already, but this is helping me to move somewhere from intermediate to advanced user!" - Kim Lednum
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