Welcome to Part 5 of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we explain how to create an automated traffic machine using the WordPress CMS platform.
So far, we have covered the following in this article series:
In Part One, we described the traffic automation process, and explained why using an expertly configured WordPress website is the key to generating automated traffic …
(With an expertly configured WordPress site, all you have to do to automatically bring more traffic is add content on a consistent basis!)
In Part Two, we focus on the setup phase of the automation blueprint. We help you understand the best way to get started 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 website is built with WordPress.
(In Part two we show you where to set up a WordPress website on your domain)
In Part Three, we focus on the configuration phase. We configured all the settings (hosting, internal and external) that affect your site’s ability to generate traffic automatically …
(In Part Three you learn how to configure all the settings that can affect your website’s traffic-getting ability)
In Part Four, we explained how to set up various WordPress plugins that can help drive visitors automatically to your site.
(Publish once to WordPress and automate your content distribution to all other services!)
In this section of the WordPress web traffic automation blueprint series, we discuss ways to optimize traffic to your website with different tools and methods.
WordPress Web Traffic System – Traffic Optimization Systems
In addition to having an expertly configured WordPress website, the key to generating high-quality traffic on a consistent basis is having a clearly-defined business vision, great digital planning, and good systems in place.
(Consistent traffic is the product of having a clear business vision, sound planning, and great systems)
Let’s review the systems that will help you grow and manage this traffic.
These systems include:
- Marketing Systems – How you create traffic for your business.
- Technical Systems – The systems and processes used to ensure that your digital presence remains up and running for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – The systems and processes used to manage and respond to new traffic.
(Systems help you 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 create traffic for your website. Your online marketing systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- What channels will you use to drive traffic (e.g. blogging, video marketing, etc)?
- How will you apportion your budget and resources to these channels?
- How will you create your content and run your marketing campaigns?
- How will you test and measure the cost-effectiveness 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 to help generate some actionable data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your website, which you can use to create web content targeted specifically to your audience.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems and processes ensure that your online presence remains up and running for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is constantly down or your web pages take a very long time to load.
Your systems need to adequately handle areas like webhosting, site maintenance and support, installing, configuring, and updating new applications (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.
You can test your technical systems by questions such as:
- Who will look after my server?
- 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. if you experience difficulties?
Many potential issues can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, you can expect problems. You will need the right technical systems in place to handle these.
Business Systems
Your business systems and processes help you manage and respond to traffic. These include:
- Communication systems
- Resources management – human, financial
- Handling leads and sales inquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer training/service
- etc.
If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical services, then make sure you have systems in place to manage all outsourcing.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – 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 a “traffic loop”.
Let’s go through an example of implementing, optimizing, and automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the flowchart 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 website.
Tips
- Your expertly configured WordPress site will allow you to automatically distribute your content to sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 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 can help generate data, which you can use to create 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 attract more visitors using methods like LinkedIn advertising, PPC advertising, email ads, etc.
Plugins, Tools, And Methods
We’ve covered many excellent tools and strategies in earlier sections of this tutorial series.
Also, ask us about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress site:
- Share your comments and posts online,
- Run contests, offer discounts/downloads for shares/likes,
- Accept 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 content out there is good, but for this activity to be really effective, your content also needs to build authority and credibility with users.
Publishing better quality content improves your chances of getting more views from social sharing and hence more visitors.
Useful Tips And Ideas
- Focus on content that will add value to your audience and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, user reviews, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing expert guides that can be sold or distributed online.
Plugins, Tools, And Methods
We have created a comprehensive 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, look for plugins that allow you to 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
At some point, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can achieve this by growing a list or starting a forum or network.
With “Traffic On Tap,” all of your traffic will come from customers or subscribers – people who already like you and trust you. Your influence and reputation can be used to generate traffic with a single blog post or email broadcast.
Traffic Ideas
- Encourage commenting and discussions on your site.
- Add an email newsletter and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a paid, free, or ‘freemium’ membership site, online forum, or social community.
- Create or join a Facebook/LinkedIn Group.
Plugins, Tools, And Strategies
Many solutions and WordPress plugins are available that are easy to implement and can help increase your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders/Email Newsletters (e.g. Aweber, MailChimp, 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, video galleries, etc.
Identify Needs/Problems And Provide Solutions To These
By taking advantage of incoming traffic to discover what your visitors are searching for, you should have no problem coming up with ideas for new services and products, all of which provide new opportunities to generate new streams of traffic.
Useful Tips
- Consider creating an e-learning program.
- Publish educational guides or special reports 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 products and services online (as opposed to just providing information), ask us about plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your WordPress website or blog:
- Membership Sites (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 to collect and analyze data. Learning to interpret data gathered from existing traffic allows you to discover new ways to create additional traffic.
Hopefully, by now you already have installed an analytics tool like Google Analytics on your site. Make sure you can also understand the data.
WordPress Traffic Blueprint – 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 traffic and generate useful data) to increase your reach and visibility online,
- Add plugins, list-building strategies, and other methods if required to help build authority 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, now you have a blueprint that will help you automate and optimize the process of driving traffic to your WordPress website and grow your business online.
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