WordPress Traffic Automation Blueprint – Part 5 (Optimization)

Welcome to Part 5 of our Web Site Traffic Blueprint article series, where we explain how to turn your website into an automated web traffic generating machine using WordPress.

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

In Part 1, we explained why using an expertly configured WordPress site is the key to generating automated web traffic …

(With an expertly configured WordPress website, all you have to do is post great content on a consistent basis to automatically generate traffic!)

In Part 2, we discussed the setup phase. We helped you understand the best way to start if you don’t have a website yet, how to set everything up if you already have a site, and what to do if your website was built using WordPress.

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

In Part Three, we look at the configuration phase of this blueprint. We configured all the settings (hosting, internal and external) that affect your website’s ability to generate traffic automatically …

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

In Part 4, you learned how to set up various WordPress plugins that can get visitors automatically to your website simply by publishing fresh content regularly.

(Publish content one-time, automate the rest!)

In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we discuss ways to optimize the traffic-getting process using a number of tools and strategies.

WordPress Web Traffic Automation Blueprint – Traffic Optimization Systems

In addition to getting your WordPress website or blog expertly configured, generating traffic successfully on a consistent basis is the product of a clear business vision, sound digital planning, and great systems in place.

(Optimized traffic is the result of a business vision, planning, and excellent systems)

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

These include:

• Marketing Systems – How you create traffic for your website.
• Technical Systems – How you keep your digital presence optimized for receiving traffic.
• Business Systems – The systems used to manage and respond to new traffic.

(Use systems to grow and manage your traffic)

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

Marketing Systems

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

• What channels do you plan to use to generate traffic (e.g. blogging, video marketing, etc)?
• How will you apply your budget and resources to these channels?
• Who will create your content and marketing campaigns?
• How will you test 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. Google AdWords) to help you generate some initial actionable data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your site, 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 traffic. There’s no point sending traffic to your website if your site is constantly experiencing problems or your pages take too long to load.

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

You can test your technical systems by questions such as:

• Who is looking after my webhosting?
• Who is looking after my website and keeping my site maintained and up-to-date?
• Who will fix errors, troubleshoot problems, provide technical support and advice, etc. should issues occur?

Many potential problems can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, there will always be problems. Your technical systems need to be robust enough to handle these.

Business Systems

Your business systems 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 training/service
• etc.

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

WordPress Traffic Blueprint – Traffic Loops

If your business objectives are clear and your systems and processes are in place, all you need to focus on is developing and optimizing a “traffic loop”.

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

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

Increase Reach & Visibility

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

Useful Tips

• Your expertly configured WordPress site allows you to automatically publish your content on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, 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 (e.g. Facebook ads) can help you generate data, which you can use to create content better targeted to your audience.
• Repurpose your content to leverage the power, appeal, and reach of different media formats.
• Continue learning about ways to attract website traffic using methods like Facebook advertising, social media, email ads, etc.

Plugins, Tools, And Methods

We’ve covered many excellent tools and methods in earlier sections of this tutorial series.

Also, if you haven’t already, learn more about plugins that let you easily add the following to your site:

• Share your comments and posts online,
• Run contests, offer discounts/downloads for likes/shares,
• Display user generated content, feeds, etc.
• Distribute content online in other media formats (e.g. videos, PDF guides, slides, 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 also needs to be building authority and credibility with users.

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

Useful Tips

• Focus on creating and publishing content that adds value to potential visitors and that showcases your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
• Consider publishing a special report or even an e-book that can be sold or distributed online (e.g. sell on Amazon.

Plugins, Tools, & Strategies

We have created a detailed email course on how to develop a content marketing strategy, how to promote your business with content, and ways to never run out of new ideas for web content that you can plug into for free here:

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 site:

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

Grow Influence And Engagement

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

With “Traffic On Demand,” your traffic comes from an audience of customers or subscribers – people who already like you and trust you. Your influence and credibility can be used to generate traffic with a single blog post or email broadcast.

Traffic Optimization Tips

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

Tools, Plugins, & Strategies

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

• List-Building Solutions (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, etc.)
• Contact Forms, Live Chat
• Forums & 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 To These

By taking advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what users are searching for, you can have an endless funnel of ideas for developing new services, products, and solutions, all of which provide new opportunities for generating new sources of web traffic.

Traffic Optimization Tips

• Consider creating an e-learning course.
• Publish a training guide that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on on the Amazon Kindle store.
• Add e-commerce to your site.

Tools & Strategies

If you plan to provide services and products online (as opposed to just providing information), then some of the more useful WordPress plugins you may want to add to your website or blog 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 to collect and analyze data. By interpreting data gathered from existing traffic, you can discover new opportunities to generate additional traffic.

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 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 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 initial traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
• Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other solutions as needed to help build authority, trust, and credibility, and also to increase 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, now you have a blueprint that will help you automate and optimize the process of driving visitors to your web site and improve your business online.

***

***