Tag: Increase Web Traffic

Welcome to Part 5 of our Web Site Traffic Blueprint article series, where we show you how to automate traffic to your site using the WordPress CMS.

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

In Part 1 of this article series, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress site is the key to automating traffic to your website …

(With an expertly configured WordPress web site, all you have to do to generate traffic is publish web content consistently!)

In Part Two, we looked at critical setup decisions. 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 website, and what to do if your existing website was built using WordPress.

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

In Part Three, we discuss important configuration decisions. We configured all the settings that affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically …

(In Part Three you learn how to configure all the settings (hosting, WordPress and external) that can affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically)

In Part 4, we discussed ways to automate the traffic-getting process using a number of plugins.

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

In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint article series, we look at ways to optimize the traffic-getting process using various tools and methods.

WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Traffic Optimization Systems

In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, the key to generating high-quality traffic on a consistent basis is having a well-defined business vision, sound digital planning, and good systems and process in place.

(Consistent traffic is the product of a business vision, sound planning, and excellent systems)

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

These systems include:

• Marketing Systems – How you drive new traffic to your business.
• Technical Systems – The systems used to keep your web presence optimized 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 the above systems:

Marketing Systems

Your marketing systems consist of the processes and methods used to drive new traffic to your business. You can test your marketing systems by asking questions such as:

• What channels do you plan to use to drive new traffic (e.g. blogging, facebook advertising, video marketing, etc)?
• What resources and portion of your budget will you assign to these channels?
• How will you create and optimize your content and run your 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 (e.g. Facebook ads) to help generate some initial actionable data, such as the keywords 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 ensure that your web presence remains optimized for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is down or your pages take too long to load.

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

You can test your technical systems by questions such as:

• Who will look after my server?
• 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 problems occur?

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 to face problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.

Business Systems

You need good operational systems and processes to help you manage the influx of traffic. These include:

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

If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical maintenance, then make sure you also implement excellent systems to manage all outsourcing.

WordPress Traffic Automation System – Optimizing Traffic Generation

With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to do is to focus on implementing 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 processes illustrated below …

(An effective traffic loop)

Increase Reach And Visibility Online

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

Traffic Optimization Ideas

• Your expertly configured WordPress site allows you to instantly share your content on traffic-getting sources like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 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 can help you generate actionable and intelligent data such as the keywords people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create content targeted specifically to your audience.
• Repurpose your content to leverage the power and reach of different media formats.
• Continue learning about ways to get traffic using methods like Pinterest ads, solo ads, cross promotions, etc.

Tools And Methods

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

Also, if you haven’t already, contact us to learn more about WordPress 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 shares/likes,
• Display 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 out there is a great first step, but for this activity to be really effective, your content needs to build authority and credibility with your audience.

Publishing authoritative content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting more shares and views and hence more traffic.

Traffic Ideas

• Focus on 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 educational guides that can be sold or distributed online.

Plugins, Tools, And Strategies

We have created a detailed email 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 content that you can plug into at no cost here:

Also, if you haven’t already, contact us to learn more about plugins that let you 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 & Engagement

As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can achieve this by growing a list or starting your own community.

With “Traffic On Tap,” most of your traffic comes from 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.

Tips

• Encourage users to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
• Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a free, paid, or ‘freemium’ membership site.
• Create or join an online group on Facebook.

Tools, Plugins, And Methods

Many solutions and WordPress plugins are available that are easy to implement and can help increase your online influence and improve engagement. For example:

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

Identify Needs/Problems And Provide Solutions To These

By taking advantage of incoming traffic to discover what your visitors want, you can have an endless funnel of ideas for new products and services, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating new sources of web traffic.

Tips

• Consider creating a free or paid e-learning course.
• Consider publishing instructional PDF guides that you can sell or distribute online.
• Consider adding e-commerce to your site.

Tools & Methods

If you plan to provide products, services, and solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), then some of the more useful WordPress plugins you may want to consider adding to your site 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 the collection and analysis of data. Learning to gather and interpret data from existing traffic allows you to discover new opportunities to generate additional traffic.

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

WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Summary

All you have to do once you implement the above strategies is repeat the process over and over again, 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 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 as necessary to 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, now you have a blueprint that will help you drive more traffic automatically to your WordPress web site and build a better business online.

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