Welcome to Part 5 of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we explain how to drive traffic automatically to your site using the WordPress CMS.
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 website, all you have to do is post content consistently to automatically attract new traffic!)
In Part Two, we discussed the setup phase of the automation process. We explained the best way to get started if you don’t have a website yet, how to set things up if you already have a site, and what to do if your website has been built using WordPress.
(In Part 2 we show you where to set up a WordPress website on your domain)
In Part Three, we discuss important configuration decisions. We explained how to configure webhosting settings, WordPress settings, and external settings that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically …
(In Part Three you learn how to configure all the 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 drive new traffic automatically to your site as you begin to post content.
(Publish content one-time and automate your content distribution to all other marketing channels!)
In this article, we discuss ways to optimize traffic generation using different tools and strategies.
WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Systems
In addition to getting your WordPress website or blog expertly configured, the key to generating high-quality traffic consistently is having a clear business vision, careful digital planning, and good systems and process in place.
(Automated traffic is the product of a business vision, sound planning, and systems)
Let’s review the systems that will help you grow and manage this traffic.
These include:
- Marketing Systems – The processes and strategies used to create traffic for your website.
- Technical Systems – The systems used to keep your digital presence operating efficiently for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – How you manage and respond to traffic.
(Use systems to grow, automate, and manage your traffic)
Let’s review the above systems briefly:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to create traffic for your business. Your marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- What is your content marketing strategy?
- How will you apportion your budget and resources to these marketing channels?
- How will you create your content, sales funnels, and run your marketing campaigns?
- How will you measure the ROI of your 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 to help generate some initial actionable data, such as the keywords people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience’s needs.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems keep your digital presence optimized for receiving new traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is constantly down or your web pages take a 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.
You can test your technical systems by questions such as:
- Who looks after my webhosting?
- 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. should things go wrong?
Many potential problems can be minimized if your website planning process and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. Like all technology, however, there will always be new problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.
Business Systems
Your business systems and processes help you manage and respond to new traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Managing human and financial resources
- Handling leads and sales enquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you intend to outsource your digital marketing and technical support, then you will need excellent systems in place to manage all outsourcing processes.
WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Traffic Loops
If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on is how to develop and optimize a “traffic loop”.
Let’s go through an example of implementing, optimizing, and automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the illustration below …
(Traffic loop)
Increase Reach & Visibility
Step 1 of the process is to increase visibility for your website or blog.
Traffic Tips
- An expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically distribute your content to sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, 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. Google AdWords) can help generate some initial actionable data such as the keyword phrases 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 different media formats.
- Continue learning about ways to get more web site visitors using methods like Facebook ads, videos, updates, etc.
Tools, Plugins, And Methods
We’ve covered many useful plugins, tools, and methods in earlier sections of this tutorial series.
Also, if you haven’t already, see other posts on this site to learn more about plugins that let you easily add the following to your website:
- Share your comments and posts online with others,
- Run contests, offer discounts or downloads for likes/shares,
- Display user generated content, feeds, etc.
- Distribute content online in different media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, slides, etc.)
Build Authority And Credibility
Getting more content published is good, but to make this more effective, your content needs to be building authority and credibility with users.
Publishing authoritative content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting it shared on other sites and hence more visitors.
Useful Tips & Ideas
- Create and publish content that adds value to potential visitors and that showcases your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing a special report or PDF guide that you can sell or distribute online.
Tools And Strategies
If you need endless ideas for posting content on your web site, we recommend subscribing to our FREE email training course on content marketing here:
Also, contact us to learn more about WordPress plugins that let you 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 & Engagement
As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on demand.” You can achieve this by building a list or starting a group.
With “Traffic On Tap,” most of your traffic will come from an audience of 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 email.
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 or free membership site, online forum, or social community.
- Create or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.
Tools, Plugins, And Strategies
Many solutions and WordPress plugins are available that are easy to implement and can help increase 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 and Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, image galleries, etc.
Identify Needs & Provide Solutions To These
By taking advantage of incoming traffic to find out what problems your visitors are trying to solve, you can have an endless funnel of ideas for developing new services, products, and solutions, all of which provide new opportunities for generating additional traffic.
Tips
- Consider creating an e-learning program.
- Consider publishing expert guides that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on Clickbank.
- Add e-commerce to your business.
Plugins, Tools, And Methods
If you plan to provide solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), ask us about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress website:
- Membership Sites (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. By learning to interpret data gathered from existing traffic, you can discover new traffic opportunities.
You should already have installed an analytics tool (e.g. Google Analytics) on your website. Make sure you also learn how to interpret the data.
WordPress Traffic Automation System – Summary
Once you implement the above strategies, all you have to do 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 (consider adding 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 if required to 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, now you have a blueprint that will help you drive more visitors automatically to your WordPress web site and build a more successful business online.
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"If you're new to WordPress, this can stand on its own as a training course and will stay with you as you progress from beginner to advanced and even guru status." - Bruce (Columbus, Ohio)
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