Tag: Increase Web Traffic

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

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

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

(With an expertly configured WordPress web site, all you have to do to drive web traffic is publish great content on a consistent basis!)

In Part 2, 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 is built using WordPress.

(In Part 2 we show you where to set up a WordPress web site on your domain)

In Part Three, we looked at the configuration phase of the traffic automation process. We explained how to configure all the settings that can affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …

(In Part 3 you learn how to configure hosting settings, internal settings, and external settings that can affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically)

In Part 4, we explained how to set up various plugins that can get new traffic automatically to your website.

(Publish once, automate the rest!)

In Part 5 of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we discuss ways to optimize the traffic generation process using different tools and methods.

WordPress Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Optimization 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, great digital planning, and excellent systems in place.

(Automating traffic is the result of having a clear business vision, sound planning, and systems)

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

These include:

• Marketing Systems – How you drive traffic to your website.
• Technical Systems – The systems used to keep your online presence up and running for receiving new traffic.
• Business Systems – How you manage and respond to traffic.

(Use systems to grow, automate, and manage your web traffic)

Let’s briefly review how important the above systems are:

Marketing Systems

Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to drive traffic to your website. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:

• What is your content marketing strategy/online marketing strategy?
• How will you allocate your budget and resources to these channels?
• How will you create your content, sales funnels, and marketing campaigns?
• How will you track conversions and 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 initial data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience’s needs.

Technical Systems

Your technical systems and processes keep your web presence up and running for receiving new traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is experiencing problems or your web pages take too long to load.

Your technical systems need to handle areas like webhosting, site maintenance and support, installing and updating new software (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.

You can test your technical systems by questions such as:

• Who looks after my webhosting?
• 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 you experience difficulties?

Many potential problems can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. Like all technology, however, you should expect new problems to arise. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.

Business Systems

Your business systems and processes help you manage the influx of new traffic. These include:

• Communication systems
• Managing human and financial resources
• Handling sales enquiries
• Order fulfillment
• Customer training/service
• etc.

If you plan to outsource key aspects of your digital marketing and technical services, then you will need to put good systems in place to manage all outsourcing.

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 grow your “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

The first step of the process is to increase visibility for your business and website.

Useful Tips & Ideas

• An expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically distribute your content to 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. pay-per-click ads) can help you generate data, which you can use to create content targeted specifically to your audience’s needs.
• Repurpose your content to leverage the power and reach of different media formats.
• Continue learning about ways to attract more visitors using methods like Facebook, podcasts, cross promotions, etc.

Plugins, Tools, & Methods

See earlier sections of this tutorial series for a number of useful plugins, tools, and methods we’ve already covered to help you reach more members of your target audience.

Also, see other posts on this site to learn more about plugins that let you easily add the following to your website or blog:

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

Build Authority And Credibility

Getting more content out there is a great first step, but for this activity to be really effective, your content needs to be building authority and credibility with users.

Publishing higher quality content improves your chances of getting more views from social sharing and hence more traffic.

Traffic Tips

• Focus on creating content that will add value to potential users and showcase your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
• Consider publishing a “how-to” e-book that can be sold or distributed online.

Tools & Strategies

If you need endless great ideas for content that you can post on your website or blog, we recommend subscribing to our email training series on growing your business with content marketing here:

Also, if you haven’t already, ask us about plugins that let you easily add the following to your WordPress site:

• 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 tap.” You can do this by building a list or starting an online forum, community, or even your own 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 traffic with a single blog post or email broadcast.

Traffic Optimization Ideas

• Encourage commenting and discussions on your site.
• Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a free, paid, or ‘freemium’ membership site.
• Create or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.

Tools, Plugins, & Methods

There are many solutions and WordPress plugins that can help grow your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:

• Autoresponders (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, etc.)
• Contact Forms, Live Chat
• Forums and Discussion Groups (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
• Polls & Surveys
• Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
• Comment sharing
• Add media, image galleries, etc.

Identify Problems & Provide Solutions To These

By taking advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what problems your users are trying to solve, you can develop new products and services, all of which can provide you with new opportunities to generate new streams of traffic.

Traffic Optimization Tips

• Create an e-learning course.
• Consider publishing educational guides or special reports that you can sell or distribute online.
• Consider adding e-commerce to your site.

Tools, Plugins, And Strategies

If you plan to provide products and services online (as opposed to just providing information), contact us to learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your website:

• Membership Site plugins (e.g. Wishlist Member, S2 Member, etc.)
• e-Learning Courses (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 lets you discover new opportunities to create content that can generate you additional traffic.

You should already have installed an analytics tool like Google Analytics on your site. Make sure you understand the metrics and features and can interpret the data.

WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Summary

All you have to do once you implement the above strategies 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 good marketing, technical and business systems,
• Implement a content marketing strategy (consider also investing in 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 if required to help build authority and credibility, and also to increase 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, this information has given you a blueprint that will help you drive more visitors automatically to your WordPress web site and grow your business online.

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