Tag: Increase Web Traffic

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

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

In Part One, we explain why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to automating traffic to your site …

(With an expertly configured WordPress blog, all you have to do to automatically attract more traffic is post new content on a consistent basis!)

In Part Two, we focus on critical setup decisions. We explain the best way to start if you don’t have a web presence yet, how to set everything up if you already have a site, and what to do if your existing website is built with WordPress.

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

In Part Three, we looked at configuring the system. We configured all the settings (hosting, WordPress and external) that can affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …

(In Part 3 we show you how to configure hosting settings, internal settings, and external settings that affect your website’s traffic-getting ability)

In Part Four, we discussed ways to automate the traffic system with WordPress plugins.

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

In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint article series, we discuss ways to optimize traffic generation using different tools and methods.

WordPress Traffic System – Traffic Optimization Systems

In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, generating consistent traffic of high quality is the product of a well-defined business vision, careful digital planning, and excellent systems in place.

(Optimized traffic is the product of a business vision, planning, and great systems)

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

These include:

• Marketing Systems – How you drive traffic to your website.
• Technical Systems – How you ensure that your web presence remains operating efficiently for receiving traffic.
• Business Systems – How you manage and respond to traffic.

(Systems help you grow and manage your web traffic)

Let’s briefly review the importance of the above systems:

Marketing Systems

Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to create traffic for your business. Your online marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:

• What channels do you plan to use to generate traffic (e.g. blogging, video marketing, etc)?
• What resources and portion of your marketing budget will you apportion 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 marketing 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 initial actionable data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create web content better targeted to your audience.

Technical Systems

Your technical systems and processes keep your digital presence optimized for receiving traffic. There’s no point sending traffic to your site if your site is experiencing problems or your pages take a long time to load.

Your technical systems need to be able to adequately handle technical areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing 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 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 issues can be minimized if your planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. Like all technology, however, you should expect new problems. Your technical systems need to be able to handle these.

Business Systems

You need good operational systems and processes in place to help you manage and respond to new traffic. This includes:

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

If you intend to outsource your digital marketing and technical support, then make sure you have systems in place for managing all outsourcing processes.

WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – 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 develop, optimize, and automate your “traffic loop”.

Let’s walk through an example of implementing, optimizing, and further automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the processes illustrated below …

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

Increase Reach And Visibility Online

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

Useful Tips

• An expertly configured WordPress site will allow you to instantly notify and publicize your content to social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. The easiest way to increase your reach and visibility online, therefore, is to simply publish more content on your site.
• As mentioned earlier, investing in some paid advertising (e.g. Google AdWords) can help generate some initial 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 drive visitors using methods like Facebook, videos, updates, etc.

Tools, Plugins, And Strategies

We’ve covered a number of excellent plugins, tools, and strategies in previous sections of this article 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 WordPress website or blog:

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

Build Authority & Credibility

Getting more 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 users.

Publishing authoritative content improves your chances of getting more people to share it with others and hence more visitors.

Useful Tips And Ideas

• Focus on creating 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 instructional PDF guides that can be sold or distributed online.

Plugins, Tools, And Methods

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

Also, if you haven’t already, look for plugins that let you easily add the following to your WordPress website:

• Legal Pages
• Testimonials
• Customer Support (e.g. Helpdesk, Live Chat, etc.)
• Ratings
• User Reviews
• Badges/Certificates Of Trust

Grow Influence And Engagement

At some point, you may want to consider developing “traffic on demand.” You can do this by building a list or starting an online group.

With “Traffic On Tap,” all of your traffic will come from customers or subscribers – people who already know you and trust you. Your influence and credibility can be used to generate new traffic with every blog post you publish, forum post you add, or broadcast you send out.

Useful Tips And Ideas

• Encourage commenting and discussions on your site.
• Add an autoresponder training course and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a free or paid membership site, online forum, or social community.
• Create or join an online group on Facebook.

Tools, Plugins, & Strategies

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

• Autoresponders (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, etc.)
• Contact Forms, Live Chat
• Forums and Social Communities (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 find out what your visitors are searching for, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new services, products, and solutions, all of which provide new opportunities to generate additional traffic.

Tips

• Consider creating a free or paid online training program.
• Publish instructional PDF guides or special reports that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on Amazon.
• Add e-commerce to your site.

Tools, Plugins, & Strategies

If you plan to provide products, services, and solutions online (as opposed to just providing information), see other posts and tutorials on this site to learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your site:

• 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 lets you discover new traffic opportunities.

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

WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – Summary

Once you implement the above strategies, all you have to do is repeat the cycle, 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 good 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 as 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 drive more visitors automatically to your website and build a better business online.

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