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.
So far, we have covered the following in this article series:
In Part 1 of this series, we provide an overview of the traffic automation process, and explain why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to automating traffic to your website …
(With an expertly configured WordPress blog, all you have to do is publish great content on a regular basis to automatically attract new traffic!)
In Part Two, we focus on the setup phase of the automation process. We explain 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 site has been built with WordPress.
(In Part two we show you where to set up WordPress on your domain)
In Part Three, we discuss the configuration phase of this system. We configured all the settings that affect your website’s traffic-getting ability …
(In Part Three you learn how to configure all the settings that can affect your site’s traffic-getting ability)
In Part 4, we discussed ways to automate traffic to your website using a number of plugins.
(Publish content one-time and automate your content distribution to all other marketing channels!)
In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint article series, we discuss ways to optimize traffic generation using various tools and methods.
WordPress Traffic System – Traffic Optimization Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website or blog, generating targeted traffic on a consistent basis comes comes from the combined outcome of having a clear business vision, careful digital planning, and good systems and process in place.
(Optimized traffic is the result of having a clear business vision, sound planning, and systems)
Let’s review briefly the systems that will help you grow and manage your traffic.
These systems include:
- Marketing Systems – The processes and methods used to drive new traffic to your website.
- Technical Systems – How you ensure that your web presence remains optimized for receiving traffic.
- Business Systems – The systems and processes used to manage and respond to traffic.
(Systems help you grow, automate, and manage your web traffic)
Let’s review the above systems briefly:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and methods used to create traffic for your business. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:
- What is your content marketing strategy?
- What resources and portion of your budget will you apportion to these channels?
- How will you create your content and marketing campaigns?
- How will you test and measure the results of your online marketing 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 generate some data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems and processes keep your web presence up and running for receiving new traffic. There’s no point sending traffic to your site if your site is constantly experiencing problems or your pages are taking a very long time to load.
Your technical systems include handling technical 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 looks after my webhosting?
- Who looks after my website and keeps my site, plugins, themes, etc. maintained and up-to-date?
- Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. should anything 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, there will always be 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 the influx of new traffic. This includes:
- Communication systems
- Managing human and financial resources
- Handling sales inquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer service/training
- etc.
If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical services, then make sure you also implement good systems for managing all outsourcing processes.
WordPress Web Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Loops
With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to focus on are ways to implement a “traffic loop”.
Let’s walk through an example of implementing, optimizing, and automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the chart below …
(Implementing an effective traffic loop)
Increase Reach & Visibility
Step 1 of the process is to increase visibility for your website.
Tips
- Your expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically syndicate your content to sites like Facebook, Twitter, GooglePlus, 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. pay-per-click ads) can help generate data, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience’s needs.
- Repurpose your content to leverage the power and reach of different media formats.
- Continue learning about ways to attract more visitors using methods like LinkedIn advertising, banner ads, forum ads, etc.
Tools And Strategies
See previous sections of this tutorial series for many useful tools, plugins, and strategies we’ve already covered to help you reach more members of your target audience.
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 or blog:
- Share your posts online,
- Run contests, offer discounts or downloads for likes/shares,
- Display user generated content, feeds, etc.
- Distribute content online in different media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, audio, etc.)
Build Authority & Credibility
Getting more content out there is a great first step, but to make this more effective, your content also needs to build authority and credibility with users.
Publishing better quality content improves your chances of getting it shared on other sites and hence more traffic.
Useful Tips
- Focus on creating content that will add value to potential visitors and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing instructional PDF guides that can be sold or distributed online.
Tools And Strategies
We have created a complete email email-based training course designed to help you come up with limitless content ideas for your site:
Also, if you haven’t already, ask us about plugins that allow you to 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 And Engagement
As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can do this by building a list or starting your own online community or social network.
With “Traffic On Demand,” most of your traffic comes from an audience of existing customers or subscribers – people who already know you and trust you. Your influence and reputation can be used to generate new traffic with every blog post you publish, forum post you add, or email you send out.
Traffic Ideas
- Encourage commenting and discussions on your site.
- Add an email 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.
Tools And Methods
Many solutions and plugins are available that are easy to implement and can help increase your online influence and improve engagement. For example:
- List-Building Tools (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums & Social Communities (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls & Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, image galleries, etc.
Identify Needs/Problems & Provide Solutions To These
By taking advantage of incoming traffic to discover what your visitors need, you can develop new products, services, and solutions, all of which can provide you with new opportunities to generate additional traffic.
Useful Tips
- Consider creating an online training course.
- Consider publishing educational guides or special reports that can be sold or distributed online.
- Add e-commerce to your business.
Tools, Plugins, & Strategies
If you plan to provide services and products online (as opposed to just providing information), then some of the more useful plugins you may want to consider adding to your website 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. Gathering and interpreting data from existing traffic gives you the opportunity to 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 features and can interpret the data.
WordPress Traffic Automation System – 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 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 (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 methods if necessary to build authority and credibility, and also to improve engagement with visitors,
- 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 traffic automatically to your WordPress website and get better results online.
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"If you're new to WordPress, this can stand on its own as a training course and will stay with you as you progress from beginner to advanced and even guru status." - Bruce (Columbus, Ohio)
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