Welcome to Part 5 of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to turn a website into an automated web traffic machine using the WordPress CMS.
So far, we have covered the following in this article series:
In Part 1, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website or blog is the key to generating automated traffic …
(With an expertly configured WordPress web site, all you have to do is post great content consistently to automatically drive traffic!)
In Part 2, we focused on the setup phase of the blueprint. We helped you understand 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 site, and what to do if your existing website was built using WordPress.
(In Part 2 we show you where to set up a WordPress website on your domain)
In Part 3, we discuss the configuration phase of the traffic automation blueprint. We explained how to configure web hosting settings, internal settings, and external settings that affect your site’s traffic-getting ability …
(In Part Three we explain how to configure all the settings (hosting, WordPress and external) that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically)
In Part Four, we discussed ways to automate your traffic using WordPress plugins.
(Publish once to WordPress and automate the distribution of your content to all other channels!)
In this article, we discuss ways to optimize the traffic-getting process using various tools and strategies.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Traffic Optimization Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, generating quality traffic on a consistent basis comes from a well-defined business vision, careful digital planning, and excellent systems in place.
(Consistent traffic is the result of a business vision, planning, and great systems)
Let’s briefly review the systems that will help you grow and manage your traffic.
These include:
- Marketing Systems – How you create traffic for your business.
- 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 web traffic)
Let’s review the importance of the above systems briefly:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and methods used to drive traffic to your business. Your marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- What is your online marketing strategy?
- What resources and portion of your budget will you assign to these channels?
- Who will create your content and marketing campaigns?
- How will you test and measure the results of your 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. Google AdWords) to help generate some results. If you’re tracking your marketing campaigns correctly, this should yield some 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.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems keep your online presence up and running for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is constantly down or your pages take a long time to load.
Your systems include handling technical areas like webhosting, site maintenance and support, installing and updating new applications (e.g. plugins), customization, integration, troubleshooting, etc.
You can test your technical systems by questions such as:
- Who is looking after my server?
- 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 issues can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been completed correctly. Like all technology, however, new problems will always arise. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.
Business Systems
You need good operational systems and processes in place to help you manage and respond to new traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Resources management – human, financial
- Handling sales enquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical support, then you will need excellent systems in place for managing all outsourcing processes.
WordPress Traffic System – Traffic Loops
With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to focus on is how to develop your “traffic loop”.
Let’s go through an example of implementing, optimizing, and further automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the diagram below …
(Implement and optimize a traffic loop)
Increase Reach And Visibility Online
Step 1 of the process is to get your business exposed to as many potential users as possible.
Useful Tips
- 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 generate actionable and intelligent data, which you can use to create content targeted specifically to your audience.
- Repurpose your content to leverage different media formats.
- Continue learning about ways to drive visitors using methods like paid ads, PPC advertising, Reddit, etc.
Tools And Methods
We’ve already covered many useful plugins, tools, and strategies in earlier sections of this article series.
Also, if you haven’t already, contact us to learn more about WordPress plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your site:
- Share your comments and posts online,
- Run contests, offer downloads or discounts for likes/shares,
- Add user generated content, feeds, etc.
- Publish and distribute content online in various media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, slides, etc.)
Build Authority And Credibility
Getting more of your content published is great, but to make this activity more effective, your content also needs to be building authority and credibility with your audience.
Publishing better quality content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting more people to link to it and share it with others and hence more visitors.
Useful Tips & Ideas
- Focus on creating and publishing content that will add value to potential users and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing special reports that can be sold or distributed online.
Tools And Methods
We have created an entire email email-based training course aimed at helping you never run out of content for your website:
Also, learn more 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 Trust
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 your own online community or social network.
With “Traffic On Tap,” your traffic comes 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.
Traffic Optimization 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.
- Start or join an online group on LinkedIn.
Plugins, Tools, & Methods
Many solutions and WordPress plugins are available that are easy to implement and can help increase your influence and improve engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums & Discussion Groups (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls and Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, image galleries, etc.
Identify Problems And Provide Solutions
If you take advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what users are looking for, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new products and services, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating additional traffic.
Tips
- Create an e-learning program.
- Consider publishing a special report or PDF guide that can be sold or distributed online.
- Consider adding an e-commerce store to your business.
Tools, Plugins, And Methods
If you plan to provide solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), then some of the more useful WordPress plugins you may want to consider adding to your website or blog include:
- Membership Site plugins (e.g. Wishlist Member, S2 Member, etc.)
- e-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 allows you to discover new ways to generate content that can bring you additional traffic.
You should already have installed an analytics program (e.g. Google Analytics) on your website. Make sure you understand the metrics and features and can interpret the data.
WordPress Traffic Blueprint – 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 improve 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 initial traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
- Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other solutions if necessary 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 website and build a better business online.
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"This is AMAZING! I had learnt about how to use WordPress previously, but this covers absolutely everything and more!! Incredible value! Thank you!" - Monique, Warrior Forum
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