1) Write high-quality content
Though SEO (search engine optimization) has become a huge part of increasing website traffic, it’s actually a good idea to focus first on writing high-quality content and generating fresh ideas. Google knows what people are searching for and is giving search results based on that information. If you can write content that helps them solve their problems or give them something they don’t already have, Google will push your site towards the top of its results pages. Content is king when it comes to organic traffic; without quality content and regular updates, you won’t be able to rely solely on SEO for growth.
2) Use the right keywords
Keywords are how people find your website. It’s also one of your biggest SEO weapons. To increase traffic, you need to use keywords that your target audience is actually searching for, not just what you want them to search for. Using a keyword planner like Google’s Keyword Planner can help you come up with a list of relevant keywords and give you an idea of how much traffic they receive. Then plug those terms into Ahrefs, SEMRush or similar tools in order to get an estimate of their search volume (as well as their difficulty score). Use these metrics as a guide when deciding which ones make sense for your business and add them into your content as frequently as possible!
3) Don’t buy links
Buying links from companies like Website 123 may seem like a quick way to make your website more popular, but Google has made it clear that those types of tactics aren’t okay. Buying links is against Google’s Webmaster Guidelines, and using them could put your website at risk for an algorithmic or manual penalty. It’s also important to remember that buying links means you don’t control where they go; if they're placed on websites you don't control (say, your competitor's), then you won't be able to remove them when things change.
Google's your best friend when it comes to driving traffic. For every site you want readers to see, you need a Google profile that includes an accurate description of your site. It should be about 200 words long and include everything from keywords (try synonyms too) and a short summary of what your company does. This is one area that’s worth paying for a professional in search engine optimization (SEO) – they will be able to make sure you get all of your information in there correctly and rank at number one for relevant searches. The more authoritative sites where people can find reviews about your brand or products, like Yelp, Better Business Bureau or GoDaddy, the better off you’ll be.
5) Get active on social media
Social media isn’t just for college students looking to kill time. It can be a great way to attract new customers, particularly when you go beyond posting links and make it interactive. You can use social media like Facebook and Twitter to build buzz around your brand or product by hosting contests, featuring customer Q&As, or just answering common questions. With Facebook especially, there are lots of third-party tools you can use like apps that let you conduct polls or surveys and create scavenger hunts with prizes. If you want help getting started with social media marketing tactics, we have a free guide on how to set up all of your social profiles—and teach you how to get your first 1,000 followers in 30 days using our #FollowFriday campaign!
6) Be responsive and helpful on social media
Putting time and effort into social media isn’t just a good idea, it’s pretty much a requirement in today’s world. With Facebook having more than 1 billion users and Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn all somewhere around 200 million active users each, it can be tough to stand out. But putting time into helping people on social media can pay off—especially if you help them solve a problem they’re facing. For example, responding to questions on Quora or giving advice on Y combinator is a great way to share your knowledge with potential customers—and even find new business opportunities.
7) Cross-link with other sites in your niche
One of the easiest ways to get more visitors is by cross-linking with other sites in your niche. This is a form of content marketing that doesn’t rely on keyword research, but it can still drive tons of traffic. It also helps your site build trust and authority in your niche which translates into more organic traffic as well. So, find relevant blogs in your industry, pitch them on exchanging links, and create epic content together (including a coming soon page). This tactic alone can help you generate hundreds or even thousands of extra visitors each month! The key here is finding websites that are ranking for similar keywords and getting them on board with a simple cross-link agreement.
8) Run a blog contest on Facebook or Twitter
Setting up a contest is a simple way to draw in new followers and readers who are interested in your product or service. You could even set one up on social media, providing it’s legal and fits with your brand. If you run an online business, consider holding a contest for free products or services. Alternatively, if you have a brick-and-mortar store, hold one there and invite visitors for prize giveaways. For example, let people spin a wheel for prizes. It might seem small, but over time it can bring in big results. (Just be sure you're abiding by relevant laws—contests aren't allowed everywhere.)
9) Try guest posting for increased traffic
It can be difficult to build a substantial following from
scratch, which is why it’s useful to build relationships with other bloggers in
your industry. By guest posting on their site or contributing an original piece
to their newsletter, you establish yourself as an authority figure and
hopefully get your content in front of new eyes. The mutual benefit makes it a
win-win proposition! This isn’t just valuable for getting exposure—it can also
give you key insights into SEO (search engine optimization) best practices that
are unique only to your niche. Incorporate what you learn by testing different
approaches on your own site or through a third-party tool like SEMrush.
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