Tag: Increase Web Traffic

Welcome to Part 5 of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to create an automated traffic machine using the WordPress CMS platform.

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

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

(With an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, all you have to do to begin bringing new traffic is add web content on a regular basis!)

In Part 2, we look at the setup phase. We explain the best way to start 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 existing website has been built using WordPress.

(In Part 2 we show you how to set up a WordPress website or blog on your domain)

In Part 3, we focus on the configuration phase of this process. We configured hosting settings, internal settings, and external settings that can affect your website’s traffic-getting ability …

(In Part 3 you learn how to configure all the settings that affect your site’s traffic-getting ability)

In Part Four, you learned how to set up various plugins that can get visitors automatically to your website or blog simply by publishing web content on a consistent basis.

(Publish once to WordPress and automate your content distribution to all other marketing channels!)

In this article, we look at ways to optimize traffic generation with different tools and strategies.

WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – Systems

In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress site, generating traffic successfully on a consistent basis is the result of a well-defined business vision, great digital planning, and great systems in place.

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

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

These include:

• Marketing Systems – How you create new traffic for your website.
• Technical Systems – How you ensure that your online presence remains up and running for receiving traffic.
• Business Systems – The systems used to manage and respond to new 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 strategies used to create new traffic for your business. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:

• What channels do you plan to use to generate traffic (e.g. blogging, PPC advertising, video marketing, etc)?
• How will you apply your marketing budget and resources to these channels?
• How will you 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 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. Google AdWords) to help you generate some actionable 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 and processes keep your digital presence up and running for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is down or your pages are taking a long time to load.

Your systems need to handle 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 server?
• 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. if you experience difficulties?

Many potential problems 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 to arise. Your technical systems need to be able to handle these.

Business Systems

Your business systems help you manage and respond to new traffic. This includes:

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

If you intend to outsource key aspects of your digital marketing and technical support, then you will need excellent systems in place to manage all outsourcing processes.

WordPress Traffic Automation System – Traffic Optimization Tools & Methods

If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on are ways to implement 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 chart below …

(WordPress can help you implement and optimize a traffic loop)

Increase Reach & Visibility Online

Step 1 of the process is to increase visibility for your business and website.

Tips

• An expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically syndicate your content to places like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. The easiest way to increase your reach and visibility online, therefore, is to simply publish more content.
• As mentioned earlier, investing in some paid advertising (e.g. Google AdWords) can help you generate 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 drive more web visitors using methods like Twitter advertising, PPC advertising, cross promotions, etc.

Plugins, Tools, & Strategies

We’ve already covered a number of excellent plugins, tools, and methods in earlier sections of this article series.

Also, if you haven’t already, learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your website or blog:

• Share your posts online,
• Run contests, offer downloads or discounts for shares/likes,
• Add user generated content, feeds, etc.
• Distribute content online in various media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, infographics, etc.)

Build Authority & Credibility

Getting more content out there is a great first step, but to make this activity more effective, your content needs to build authority and credibility with visitors.

Publishing better quality content improves your chances of getting it shared around and viewed by more people and hence more traffic.

Traffic Optimization Tips

• Create and publish content that adds value to potential users and that showcases 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 (e.g. sell on Amazon.

Tools & Strategies

We have created an entire email email-based training course aimed at helping you come up with endless content for your website or blog:

Also, contact us to 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 Recognition

Grow Influence And Engagement

At some point, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can do this by growing 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 like you and trust you. Your influence and reputation can be used to generate traffic with every blog post you publish or email broadcast you send out.

Useful Tips

• Encourage commenting and discussions on your site.
• Add an autoresponder training course and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a free or paid membership site.
• Create or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.

Plugins, Tools, & Methods

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

• Autoresponders/Email Newsletters (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, 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 And Provide Solutions

By taking advantage of incoming traffic to find out what problems your users are trying to solve, you should have no problem developing new products and services, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating new sources of web traffic.

Useful Tips And Ideas

• Create a free or paid online training course.
• Publish a special report that you can sell or distribute online.
• Consider adding e-commerce to your site.

Tools & Strategies

If you plan to provide products, services, and solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), look for plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress 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 the collection and analysis of data. Gathering and interpreting data from existing traffic gives you the opportunity to discover new traffic opportunities.

Hopefully, by now you already have installed an analytics program (e.g. Google Analytics) on your site. Make sure you also learn how to interpret the data.

WordPress Web Traffic 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 improve 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 adding 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 required to help build authority and credibility, and also to improve 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 automate and optimize the process of driving traffic to your WordPress web site and get better results online.

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