Tag: Web Traffic

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

So far, we have covered the following in this series:

In Part One of this article series, we describe the traffic automation process, and explain why using an expertly configured WordPress website or blog is the key to automating traffic to your website …

(With an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, all you have to do is add web content on a consistent basis to automatically bring web traffic!)

In Part Two, we looked at the setup phase of the automation blueprint. We explained 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 website has been built using WordPress.

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

In Part Three, we focus on configuring the system. We explained how to configure all the settings (hosting, WordPress and external) that can affect your site’s traffic-getting ability …

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

In Part 4, you learned how to set up various WordPress plugins that can help drive new traffic automatically to your website.

(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 the traffic system using a number of tools and strategies.

WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Systems

In addition to getting your WordPress website expertly configured, generating targeted traffic on a consistent basis is the result of having a well-defined business vision, careful digital planning, and good systems and process in place.

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

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

These systems include:

• Marketing Systems – How you drive new traffic to your business.
• Technical Systems – The systems and processes used to keep your online presence operating efficiently for receiving traffic.
• Business Systems – How you manage and respond to traffic.

(Systems help you grow and manage your traffic)

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

Marketing Systems

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

• What channels do you plan to use to generate new traffic (e.g. blogging, PPC advertising, video marketing, etc)?
• What resources and portion of your marketing budget will you allocate to these channels?
• How will you create and optimize your content and marketing campaigns?
• How will you test and 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 to help you generate some data, such as the keywords people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create web content targeted specifically to your audience’s needs.

Technical Systems

Your technical systems and processes ensure that your web presence remains up and running for receiving new traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is experiencing problems or your pages take a long time to load.

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

You can test your technical systems by questions such as:

• Who is looking after my webhosting?
• Who will look after my website and keep 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 and setup and configuration phases have been completed correctly. As with all technology, however, you can expect problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.

Business Systems

You need good business systems to help you manage and respond to the influx of new traffic. These include:

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

If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical services, then you will need good systems in place to manage all outsourcing processes.

WordPress Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Optimization

With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to do is focus on growing, optimizing and further automating a “traffic loop”.

Let’s walk through an example of how to implement, optimize, and further automate a traffic loop. Take a look at the diagram below …

(An effective traffic loop)

Increase Reach And Visibility

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

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. Facebook ads) can help generate some initial actionable data such as the keywords people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create web content targeted specifically to your audience’s needs.
• Repurpose your content to leverage the power, appeal, and reach of different media formats.
• Continue learning about ways to bring website traffic using methods like SEO, YouTube, joint ventures, etc.

Plugins, Tools, And Methods

We’ve covered a number of excellent plugins, tools, and strategies in previous sections of this article series.

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

• Share your posts online with others,
• Run contests, offer downloads or discounts for likes/shares,
• Display 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 published is a great first step, but for this activity to be really effective, your content also needs to build authority and credibility with your audience.

Publishing authoritative content improves your chances of getting it shared around and hence more visitors.

Traffic Optimization Ideas

• Create and publish content that will add value to your audience and showcase your expertise. This includes content that informs and educates readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
• Consider publishing an instructional e-book that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on Amazon.

Tools, Plugins, And Strategies

If you need endless great ideas for posting content on your website, then subscribe to our FREE email training series here:

Also, if you haven’t already, ask us about 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 Trust

Grow Influence & Engagement

As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on demand.” You can do this by growing a list or starting an online group.

With “Traffic On Tap,” all 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 new traffic with a single post or email.

Useful Tips And Ideas

• Encourage visitors to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
• Add an email training course and encourage people to subscribe.
• Add a paid, free, or ‘freemium’ membership site.
• Start or join an online group on LinkedIn/Facebook.

Plugins, Tools, & Strategies

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

• List-Building Software (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, 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 And Provide Solutions

If you take advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what your visitors are looking for, you can develop new services and products, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating new sources of traffic.

Tips

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

Tools And Methods

If you plan to provide services and products online (as opposed to just providing information), learn more about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress website:

• Membership Site plugins (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 the collection and analysis of data. By interpreting data gathered from existing traffic, you can discover new traffic opportunities.

You should have already installed an analytics tool (e.g. Google Analytics) on your website. Make sure you understand the metrics and can interpret the data.

WordPress Web Traffic System – 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:

• Start 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 traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
• Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other methods if needed to help build authority, trust, 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, this post has given you a blueprint that will help you drive more visitors automatically to your WordPress web site and expand your business online.

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