Tag: Web Traffic

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

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

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

(With an expertly configured WordPress website, all you have to do to automatically begin attracting web traffic is post web content consistently!)

In Part 2, we looked at the setup phase of this system. 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 website, and what to do if your existing site has been built using WordPress.

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

In Part Three, we focus on configuring WordPress. We explained how to configure webhosting settings, WordPress settings, and external settings that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …

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

In Part Four, we explained how to set up various plugins that can help get traffic automatically to your website or blog.

(Publish once, automate the rest!)

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

WordPress Traffic Blueprint – Systems

In addition to getting your WordPress site expertly configured, generating traffic successfully on a consistent basis is achieved by having a well-defined business vision, great digital planning, and great systems in place.

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

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

These include:

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

(Use systems to grow and manage your web traffic)

Let’s briefly review how important the above systems are for optimizing traffic:

Marketing Systems

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

• What is your content marketing/online marketing strategy?
• What resources and portion of your budget will you assign to these channels?
• Who will create your content, sales funnels, and marketing campaigns?
• How will you track conversions and measure the cost-effectiveness of your 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 to help generate some data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create content targeted specifically to your audience.

Technical Systems

Your technical systems ensure that your digital presence remains operating efficiently for receiving new traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your site if your site is down or your pages take too long to load.

Your systems include handling areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing and updating software (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.

Your technical systems can be tested by asking questions such as:

• Who will look after my webhosting?
• Who will look after my website and keep my site, plugins, themes, etc. maintained and up-to-date?
• Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. should issues arise?

Many potential problems can be minimized if your website planning process and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, new problems will always arise. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.

Business Systems

You need good business systems and processes to help you manage the influx of new traffic. This includes:

• Communication systems
• Resources management – human, financial
• Handling leads and sales inquiries
• Order fulfillment
• Customer training/service
• etc.

If you plan to outsource key aspects of your digital marketing and technical maintenance, then make sure you have implemented great systems to manage all outsourcing.

WordPress Web Traffic System – Optimizing Traffic Generation

If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to do is to develop and optimize a “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 …

(Implementing, optimizing and automating your traffic loop)

Increase Reach & Visibility Online

The first step of the process is to get your business exposed to as many traffic generation sites and channels as your resources allow.

Tips

• Your expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically publish your content on places like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 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 can help you generate data, 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 more traffic using methods like LinkedIn ads, YouTube, cross promotions, etc.

Plugins, Tools, & Strategies

We’ve already covered many useful tools and methods 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 allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress website:

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

Build Authority And Credibility

Getting more content published is great, but for this activity to be really effective, your content needs to be building authority and credibility with visitors.

Publishing higher quality content not only helps to establish your credibility, it also improves your chances of getting it shared on other sites and hence more visitors.

Traffic Tips

• Focus on content that will add value to potential visitors and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
• Consider publishing a PDF guide that can be sold or distributed online (e.g. sell on on the Amazon Kindle store.

Tools, Plugins, And Strategies

We have created a comprehensive 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 web content that you can plug into for free 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 Recognition

Grow Influence & Engagement

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

With “Traffic On Tap,” 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 a single post or broadcast.

Useful Tips

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

Tools & Methods

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

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

Identify Needs And Provide Solutions

By taking advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what your visitors are searching for, you can have an endless funnel of ideas for developing new solutions, all of which can provide you with new opportunities for generating additional web traffic.

Tips

• Create a free or paid e-learning program.
• Consider publishing educational guides or special reports that can be sold or distributed online (e.g. sell on Clickbank.
• Consider adding e-commerce to your site.

Plugins, Tools, And Methods

If you plan to provide services, products, 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-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. Learning to gather and interpret data from existing traffic allows you to discover new ways to create content that can help you generate additional traffic.

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

WordPress Traffic Automation System – Summary

Once you implement the above strategies, all you have to do is repeat the process, fine-tuning and refining your methods as you go to grow your traffic and get better 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 as required to 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 information has given you a blueprint that will help you drive more visitors automatically to your WordPress web site and build a better business online.

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