Welcome to Part Five of our Website Traffic Blueprint article series, where we explain how to turn a site into an automated web traffic generation machine using WordPress.
So far, here is what we have covered in this article series:
In Part 1, we explain why using an expertly configured WordPress site is the key to generating automated web traffic …
(With an expertly configured WordPress blog, all you have to do is post web content on a regular basis to automatically begin bringing new traffic!)
In Part Two, we focused on the setup phase. We explained the best way to get started if you don’t have a website yet, how to set things up if you already have a site, and what to do if your site was built with WordPress.
(In Part two we show you where to set up a WordPress site on your domain)
In Part 3, we focus on the configuration phase of the automation process. We explained how to configure all the settings that affect your website’s traffic-getting ability …
(In Part 3 you will configure all the settings that affect your website’s traffic-getting ability)
In Part Four, you learned how to set up various WordPress plugins that can drive traffic automatically to your site whenever you begin adding web content.
(Publish once to WordPress and automate your content distribution to all other services!)
In this article, we look at ways to optimize the traffic system with a number of different tools and methods.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Systems
In addition to getting your WordPress website expertly configured, the key to generating successfully on a consistent basis is having a clear business vision, sound digital planning, and excellent systems in place.
(Generating consistent traffic is the result of a business vision, planning, and great systems)
Let’s review briefly the systems that will help you grow and manage your traffic.
These systems include:
- Marketing Systems – The processes and strategies used to create new traffic for your business.
- Technical Systems – The systems used to ensure that your digital presence remains operating efficiently for receiving new traffic.
- Business Systems – How you manage and respond to new traffic.
(Systems help you grow and manage your web traffic)
Let’s briefly review the importance of the above systems:
Marketing Systems
Your marketing systems consist of the processes and strategies used to drive traffic to your business. You can test your online marketing systems by asking questions such as:
- What is your online marketing strategy?
- What resources and portion of your budget will you apportion to these channels?
- How will you create and optimize your content and marketing campaigns?
- How will you track conversions 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 generate some initial actionable data, such as the keyword phrases people are searching online to find your site, which you can use to create web content better targeted to your audience’s needs.
Technical Systems
Your technical systems and processes keep your web presence operating efficiently for receiving traffic. There’s no point driving traffic to your website if your site is constantly down or your web pages are taking too long to load.
Your technical systems include handling technical areas like webhosting, website maintenance and support, installing, configuring, and updating new applications (e.g. plugins), integration, customization, troubleshooting, etc.
Your technical systems can be tested by asking questions such as:
- Who looks 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 any issues arise?
Many potential problems can be minimized if your website planning and setup and configuration phases have been done correctly. As with all technology, however, you should 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 new traffic. This includes:
- Communication systems
- Managing human and financial resources
- Handling leads and sales enquiries
- Order fulfillment
- Customer training/service
- etc.
If you plan to outsource your digital marketing and technical support, then make sure you have systems in place for managing all outsourcing processes.
WordPress Web Traffic Automation System – Traffic Loops
With clear business objectives and great systems in place, all you need to do is to implement your “traffic loop”.
Let’s walk through an example of implementing, optimizing, and further automating a traffic loop. Take a look at the chart below …
(An effective traffic loop)
Increase Reach & Visibility Online
The first step of the process is to get your business exposed to as many potential users as your resources will allow.
Useful Tips & Ideas
- Your expertly configured WordPress site will allow you to automatically distribute your content to 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 (e.g. Google AdWords) can help generate some initial 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 bring web traffic using methods like Pinterest advertising, banner ads, email ads, etc.
Tools And Methods
We’ve covered a number of excellent tools and strategies in earlier sections of this article series.
Also, if you haven’t already, see other posts and tutorials on this site to learn more about WordPress plugins that allow you to easily add the following to your site:
- Share your comments and posts online with others,
- Run contests, offer downloads or discounts 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 & Credibility
Getting more content published is good, but to make this activity 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 viewed by more people and hence more traffic.
Tips
- Focus on creating content that will add value to users and showcase your expertise. This includes content that educates and informs readers, training content, case studies, adding testimonials, etc.
- Consider publishing an instructional PDF guide that can be sold or distributed online.
Tools, Plugins, And Strategies
We have created a complete email training series aimed at helping you never run out of content for posting to your site:
Also, ask us about 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 And Engagement
As your business grows, you may want to consider developing “traffic on tap.” You can achieve this by building a list or starting an online community or even your own social network.
With “Traffic On Tap,” most 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 post or email broadcast.
Traffic Tips
- Encourage users to leave comments and start discussions on your site.
- Add an autoresponder training course and encourage people to subscribe.
- Add a free or paid membership site, online forum, or social community.
- Create or join an online group on LinkedIn/Facebook.
Tools & Strategies
There are many solutions and WordPress plugins that can help increase your online influence and improve user engagement. For example:
- Autoresponders/Email Newsletters (e.g. Aweber, GetResponse, etc.)
- Contact Forms, Live Chat
- Forums and Discussion Groups (e.g. bbPress, BuddyPress)
- Polls & Surveys
- Webinars (e.g. Webinar JEO)
- Comment sharing
- Add media, video galleries, etc.
Identify Needs & Provide Solutions
If you take advantage of incoming traffic to listen to what problems your users are trying to solve, you should have no problem developing new services, products, and solutions, all of which provide new opportunities for generating additional traffic.
Tips
- Consider creating an online training course.
- Consider publishing educational guides or special reports that you can sell or distribute online (e.g. sell on on the Amazon Kindle store.
- Consider adding an e-commerce store to your business.
Tools, Plugins, And Methods
If you plan to provide solutions 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-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 gives you the opportunity to discover new traffic opportunities.
You should have already installed an analytics tool like Google Analytics on your site. Make sure you also learn how to interpret the data.
WordPress Web Traffic System – Summary
All you have to do once you implement the above strategies is repeat the cycle, 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 good marketing, technical and business systems,
- Implement a content marketing strategy (with some paid advertising to drive 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 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 drive more traffic automatically to your WordPress website and improve your business online.
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"These tutorials have so much information and are easy to understand. If you use WordPress or plan to in the future these will help you with everything you need to know." - Valisa (Mesa, Arizona)
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