The Internet Marketer’s Guide to Generating Daily Traffic
The aim of a website is generally to provide a window of one’s offers on a platform where a good deal of people can get access. A website is nothing more than a ‘storefront,’ in a way, providing a catalog of products, services and information, depending on the area of expertise of the one behind the site.The general aim then is to get the maximum number of people to view this window, be interested in its content, and then make them loyal followers who will come back repeatedly to the site. In the jargon of the cyber world, these ‘visits’ can be termed traffic. Traffic, in everyone’s minds, shows how many people are coming by a site, a good indicator of its popularity and content relevance. Traffic is actually more technical, explained as the amount of data sent and received by visitors to a site, and not exactly as the number of visitors.
Though both definitions can be considered the same, giving an idea of the popularity of a site, traffic is thus a very good indication of whether a site is thriving or failing. Traffic is usually the first indicator of whether a site is attracting visits or not, and as such, is a basis for advertising ventures with sites. Given that advertising helps site owners financially, regular traffic ensures they will be considered for advertising proposals–or that they will earn more from current advertisers (by increasing views and clickthroughs). Through traffic, owners can also see which pages are more popular and which are less visited, helping to know where their strengths and weaknesses lay. This data can further help them to determine trends on the site, and tailor their offers accordingly by remaining one step ahead of the game. Thus, generating traffic and increasing it is a major concern of site owners.
Whether a site caters to marketing products or to providing information on a specific topic, traffic will be the general indicator of its success and popularity, and consequently, of its survival – survival of the fittest on the Net referring to the site that receives best traffic. Consequently, the aim of sites is to increase traffic. This differs slightly depending on the type of site. Marketing sites, provided by Internet marketers and Internet business owners, will want to increase their traffic to get more unique visitors and also to keep their returning visitors, ensuring that the products they offer are seen and considered by a wider number of potential clients. Content sites, for marketers and Internet business owners that offer information on a narrowlydefined topic and that generate revenue through advertising, will want to increase the number of page views (and, thus, click-throughs) of the site so as to increase the scope of penetration of their content.
How To Start Generating Daily Traffic
Traffic can be increased through the following strategies, such as: Search engine optimization. Increased visibility on the Net. Links to and from other sites (i.e. reciprocal and one-way) – an easy way to increase presence on the web. Interesting add-ons on the site. Increasing the amount of time each customer spends on the site – making sure all the pages are viewed, instead of only the home page/link destination page, thus generating more page views, an indicator of good traffic. Making the most popular pages even more popular and increasing internal links to the site’s other pages to encourage views. Forum-involvement and blog commenting Use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter Advertising – such as the purchase of bulk email, pop up ads, inpage advertising, as well as the purchase of traditional and nonInternet based advertising.
Of all these options, which cover only a very small part of how traffic can be increased, advertising seems to be the most popular. Paid advertising is an e-marketing concept that enjoys a good reputation to generate traffic. Concepts such as banner advertising and pay per click are the most well-known and sought-after. Banner advertising has somewhat evolved to pop-up ads features when it turns out that Internet viewers got used to the concept of the banner at the top of the page. Pay per click uses the concept of sponsored links on search engine results pages by buying keywords and phrases that are bound to be associated with the site’s products or content. There are many ways to increase traffic, and most of them will be covered in more detail later. It is important to proactive and reactive methods of generating increased traffic first. Most methods of increasing traffic are reactive measures that identify an avenue to exploit on the site and then use it to generate traffic.
Advertising and search engine optimization (SEO) placement are reactive measures undertaken when the site is already afloat Many site creators and business owners underestimate the impact of proactive methods. The difference here has to be made between two concepts, namely natural traffic and organic traffic. Natural traffic Natural traffic is the traffic that can come naturally to the site. It deals with the site itself and its origins, name and content, whether it is for a product or for information. This traffic is associated mostly with the name and the keyword content of the site. It concerns generic aspects, and the first thought that comes to mind when one thinks of something. The domain name of the site plays a big part in here. For example, someone looking for a keyword may not go through search engines and directly type the keyword as domain name in the browser.
The likeliness of falling exactly upon what one is looking for is enhanced in this kind of maneuver. As such, domain name – its choice and use – is the main determinant in this type of traffic increase. A well-chosen domain name, and one that is immediately associated in everyone’s mind to the product or content being offered almost guarantees a visit to the site. Thus, traffic can almost be guaranteed to a site even at set-up stage, because of the easy and direct association of people with the name. Organic traffic
Organic traffic, on the other hand, pertains to traffic that is ‘sent’ to the site. Gearing this traffic route is then the best way of ensuring good organic traffic. The easiest way of getting such traffic is through Search Engine Optimization. Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic a site receives. Crawlers, which are small programs, are sent to a site by a search engine when the site is submitted for placement. These crawlers, also called spiders, scout the pages for keywords and tags attached to the site to compile a list of search-related features to generate the site on the search engine’s results page. Crawlers usually look for keywords, so optimizing their use in the pages is a good way of making sure they are picked up. Also, the more information available for a page, the easier it is for those programs to reference the page. For example, each page should have its own page name clearly defined, and this should include the title and header, which is also known as the meta tag, which the crawlers look for. Tags should also be well used, for they allow for broader scope when the crawlers are doing their job.
A good bet would also be to include the most relevant information of the site in the first paragraph of the home page. The first 2-3 lines of this paragraph are usually included in search engine results a page, providing at first glance whether the site has what the person doing the search is looking for. In this way, the inverted pyramid structure of writing, whereby the paragraphs are written in order of most important information to least important, should be followed when writing the content of the page. All these help the site have a better chance of ranking among the top spots on the search engine’s results page. 5 to 10% of clicks are generated through higher up placement on results pages. One thing to steer clear of here – bad links or ‘under construction’ pages on the site. This is a deterrent for crawlers, which may thus not add the site to the results, as the site is not fully functional.
Regular maintenance and updates of links and pages help to keep this issue at bay. Another good option to increase organic traffic is to submit the site to directories and other guides on the Internet. These too will make the site come up through searches in their databases. Other tips to increase organic traffic are: • Increase the number of related phrases that are typed in search engine boxes in the content of the site – this could allow for the site or page to be featured in results. Provide the geographical location of the business – this works mostly for product-based sites, as the likelihood of someone choosing to buy something in their area is enhanced. Providing location, especially if the site is international, helps target more people that could have geographical location as part of their search parameters. Listing products/content topic individually – the more pages on the site, the more a site is considered ‘worthy’ of being included in search engine results. Specific pages for specific content also show in-depth knowledge about the product/content, enhancing the reputation of the site as a good destination.
The above-mentioned options are only the tip of the iceberg where increasing traffic is concerned. Other methods do exist, and shall be considered individually. Following is a detailed, random listing of the most popular and some of less well-known avenues to generate traffic to a website quickly and on a daily basis. These are in no particular order, and all those tips work in their own right.
SEO: Keyword/Phrase Placement This feature has already been mentioned above, but it pays to always reiterate this fact – good placement in search engine results pages help to generate more traffic as the exposure and visibility of the site and its offerings are enhanced through such a process.
Using keywords is the key here, no pun intended. Concise and related keywords will help to funnel the search to your site, despite competitors’ presence as it has geared the search to find it more easily. Keywords should also be well chosen. Generation, locations and slang may play a part in here, as different people may not use the same word to define a product or information. Providing a varied list of keywords helps cover this base nicely. Optimizing pages themselves for SEO placement (keywords, working links, tags) further enhances the probability of good placement on results pages. Another option could be to generally increase the number of keywords and their recurrence on the site as a whole.
Tracking keywords It is important to scan the data of traffic analysis to find which keywords are more popular and which are allowing the site to receive more visits. Identifying them can then lead the marketer or business owner to optimize the use of this keyword to make it even stronger in its positioning. In addition, those less-popular keywords could be identified and then removed from the content, to allow more space for the keywords that should be optimized. List with directories This feature can enhance visibility and exposure on the Net. Listing with directories that target the same industry or field of the site can also enhance its placement on the web and in clients’ minds. Social exposure There are a lot of social networking sites on the web, as well as specific networks for an industry or niche.
Find which networks cater to the sector of the market or industry your site falls in, and register with them. These networks usually allow the registered user to create a profile for himself. Use this profile to present your site, as well as the products or content offered. Where possible, and if the network allows it, feature a link to your website on your profile page. An intriguing profile coupled with a link to the main site will tickle many potential visitors. Links Links work by providing paths from other places and platforms. Links to your site can be placed on industry-specific or product-specific sites. It is always a good idea to contact the big-name-websites to ask if they are willing to feature a link to your site. Exchanging links is also another good option. In return to featuring someone’s link, this person features your link too on his site. Links exchange programs also work upon the same premise. An aspect often overlooked is the ability to link within the site itself.
This increases the likelihood of navigating within the site, thus enhancing page views. This can be extremely useful to content-based sites. Product-based sites can also use the same strategy to present other products that may interest a visitor. Buying text links Using such links on a page enhances its potential to be picked up by search engines. Buying banner ads Banner ads are now assimilated within the framework of what a visitor expects on a site. Buying banner ads on other sites provides exposure for your site. Doing so on industry-related or product-related sites further enhances the potential to generate traffic. Banners usually hold a link back to the site it is promoting.
Also, it helps build brand recognition of the site being promoted. A banner is an advertisement in itself, and people usually pay attention and remember banners. This then represents a wonderful opportunity to brand and present a site. Participating in banner exchange programs This premise follows upon the same reasoning as banner ads, and is the easiest effective option to follow. Banner exchange program increases exposure and visibility on the Net, as well as providing branding opportunities. Such programs work on a swap ratio of 2:1 usually. Typically, if a banner is being shown on your site, for every 50 views on your site, in return, your own banner will be posted on 25 other sites. Participating in a WebRing A WebRing allows a site to connect to other sites in its niche. Exposure is maximized and effective in this way as the ring is for the same industry/area of your site. Affiliate programs Affiliate programs allow for a site to register with them and refer customers to them.
For every sale then that is triggered by a referral, the site that sent the customer earns a commission of the sale. These programs also work on the premise that your site can be associated to a big name and thus earn recognition. Affiliating in your own sector helps broaden the scope of your exposure. Furthermore, a site that sells products may set up is own affiliate program, whereby other sites will affiliate with it. This is another very good opportunity to create presence, clout, and exposure. Tag images Tags are an important aspect of search engine optimization. Photos search has increased in popularity lately. Almost all sites are expected to have photos on their pages. An undervalued aspect of this practice is not tagging the pictures.
Adding tags to pictures allow for photo searches to generate the photo and the address of the site. Not to be underestimated, tagging photos can become another tool to increase exposure of a site. This works especially well for sites that sell products. Tagging the product pictures can help bring people to the site through photo searches. Use smart PR approaches A typical PR (Press Release) campaign can be worked for a site as well. News coverage and media exposure can make the site known, and thus create awareness and bring visitors to the site. Off-line marketing Using traditional marketing tools outside the virtual world can also create awareness. Promotion and advertising needs not be simply in cyberspace. Business cards, written-support advertising, advertising on cars, etc, are all means that can and should be used to promote your website. This works better for sites that sell products, as these products can be advertised in such ways. Hosting regular promotions Store-type promotions can be applied to websites as well, especially those that sell products. There is nothing like the word ‘discount’ to attract people – make good use of it on your site too. Publishing on other sites Publishing articles and blog posts on other sites and newsgroups help to increase your visibility. Furthermore, writing articles and getting them published can also establish you as an ‘expert’ in your field. This is a very good tool to exploit for content sites. Another feature of articles is that it allows you to have a signature line at the end, which you can use to feature the link to your site.
Product sites can also use publishing articles to make product reviews and referrals, an aspect that shouldn’t be ignored. Update content regularly Viewers like to check back on sites where they received good information. However, if they fall upon the same information again, it is likely that they will write the site off and not come back. This is where updating content plays in. Regular, new content will keep visitors coming back as fresh content is found. This also shows that the site is being looked after. Search engines also regularly scout pages, and when they find updated content, they are more likely to keep a page’s listing or even move it further up as opposed to a site whose content remains the same since conception. For a content site, updated content means more pages, and this in turn can increase page views, which is its aim in increasing traffic. Reviews Get reviews of your site. Ask at bigger sites in the same niche/area as yours. This increases exposure, especially if your site gets a very good review. Write briefs on the site This keeps content fresh and regularly updated. It sits well with search engines and viewers alike. Having a newsletter A newsletter keeps people informed about updates and other changes to the site. Offers can be showcased this way, and this is a very good opportunity for product sites. Furthermore, the newsletter can contain links back to the site, and in itself, a newsletter helps ‘refresh’ people’s memories that your site is still present and ready to deliver good content and products.
The newsletter can contain teasers that will incite its readers to come to the site to get their curiosity satisfied. Content sites can have classes or seminars featured or advertised on the newsletter, said classes which people can have access to on the site. An e-zine works with the same concept. Posting in chat rooms This helps to increase exposure. Giveaways, freebies, and polls All these are good ‘lures’ to get people to come to the site. Polls work on another level as it shows interaction. This ‘human’ aspect of the site can attract lots of people who are repulsed by mechanical sites that do not have a human touch. Content sites can hold polls and can also preview aspects of content that is to come. Small downloads can be offered for free, for example an ebook on a specific topic. Product sites have more scope as they can offer prizes, rebates, discounts and contests. Another tip for this side of the marketing is to offer a freebie for every purchase, thus enticing people to buy. Contests, promos and polls can also be announced on various loops and in newsletters, helping to draw visitors to the site. Freebies, especially for content sites, can consist of the following: checklists for a task, templates for specific documents, text workbooks on the site’s topic, classes and seminars, a dictionary of terms of the industry/niche, a live advice chat room, plans for setting up specific things, email reports, as well as designed forms. An awards feature The site can offer links to other sites it deems worthy by giving them an ‘award’. This can work as double-lane avenue as the awarded company can tell its visitors to check its award on your site.
An option for content sites is to feature an ‘Additional Resources’ box where it offers links to other sites it deems worthy. In turn, the sites on the list can mention that they are recommended by your site, providing exposure and link presence. Respond to queries or comments left on your site This feature can help both product sites and content sites. Nobody likes to be ignored – showing your visitor that you cared enough to reply to his query or comment enhances your goodwill and the feeling that you are a ‘human’ site. Robotic content and atmosphere is a deterrent for many Internet users, so showing that you are not like that can work wonders for you. For a content site, it shows that you are dedicated to providing information accurately and as people need it. For a product site, it may show tremendous customer support and willingness to take care of the customer. Hold contests and promos People generally love to play and win. Enticing them with contests is a good bet. In either case, a person who took part in the contest will come back to check the result. This can be built upon. Have your own domain This builds brand recognition and easy association of your content/product in viewers’ minds. The name can even become a brand in the long run. Join places that are relevant to you Associations that cater to an aspect of your industry, local chambers of commerce, and other such organizations can provide a wealth of exposure when you are added to their directories. Being associated with them can also boost your name and enhance your reputation. Create RSS feeds on your site
This allows easy access to your information and updates. Offer free consulting This works especially well for content sites. Free consulting can help establish your site as an ‘expert’ name in the field, and bring more to you through enhancing your reputation. The option of obtaining free consulting itself can gear more people to visit you. Product sites can do the same by offering samples and trial runs or demonstrations of products. Ensure accessibility A site that is easily accessible, easy to navigate and browse, doesn’t hurt the eyes, encourages more people to visit it than sites which are complicated and cluttered. Good layout and color choice is vital. Another aspect that shouldn’t be underestimated is spelling errors in page content. This can act as a big deterrent. Build uniqueness Give your visitors a unique experience and unique content and atmosphere. Chances are they will surely come back. A unique concept can also embed your site in viewers’ minds, thus allowing for recognition and easy association. Provide useful resources Be an expert in your field and also aim to help the people who visit you. Product sites can provide links to related items, or guides such as maintenance for the product they offer. This also helps create goodwill in your name.
Content sites can do so through their content itself, by providing accurate information and becoming the one destination for their topic. Again, replying to queries and comment add in to the helpful experience. Provide follow-up Especially useful and vital for product sites. Following up with clients will create a good impression of your site and place you in your clients’ good books. Auto mail and responders also work, and can be used by content sites. Providing exit popups When a viewer exists your site, a window pops up where he is taken to another address. This takes place in an exit popup program where sites can register. As a window pops up from exiting your site, your site can pop up the same way on another website that is part of the program. This helps to increase your visibility, and clients who may not know of your site can be exposed to it in this way. Blogs Use trackback links from blogs. Ask viewers to bookmark your site Bookmarked sites are more visible to a viewer, as the links are right there in front of him when he opens his browser. This can entice a viewer to visit back when exposed to the site’s presence in his favorites list. Be active on discussion boards This can generate awareness of your site and provide exposure. Furthermore, having your own discussion board on your site enhances the interactive, human feel viewers look for on the Net.
People who have had a good experience on your discussion board will think of it when they run into a problem again, and some may even come back just for the social aspect, to meet new people in a setup that is familiar and pleasant to them. Product review boards would work well for a product site, further working as a tool to promote the products. Content sites can make use of the board as a platform to help others and provide insight and further information about their topic of predilection. Use our free content but link back Encourage your viewers to forward your free articles or newsletter, provided they always include the link to your site on it. This provides additional exposure as you will have circulation in clients’ private contact lists, a feature that would not have been accessible to you otherwise. Encourage viewers to spread the word If viewers are satisfied with the experience and content/product you provide them, ask them to tell others about their experience. Word of mouth is still one of the most effective promotion tools even in this age, so make use of it. Have a blog This allows for easy updates and an added ‘human’ touch to your site. Blogs also provide features that can generate traffic and exposure even more. Features pertinent to blogs, for example pinging, allows for each update to the blog to be pinged and updated on blog directories that are scouted by lots of people. There are other, very effective methods of generating additional traffic to your site. These methods, which will be mentioned in the coming paragraphs, have gained lots of popularity recently and as such, will be considered in more detail. Forums
Forums allow you access to industry/sector specific areas where you can comment and interact with others. Interacting on forums is a good way of getting your name out. Topicspecific forums can allow content site owners to provide helpful and judicious advice on forums posts, thus helping to present them, and in turn, their site, as ‘experts’ in the field. Most forums also allow the one posting to have a signature attached at the end of a post. This signature can be used to provide links back to the site and specific pages if it is content-oriented. Always make sure whether signatures are allowed though. Products can promote themselves on forums too. However, it is wise to refrain from spamming and even too-obvious promotion posting on forums. Aim to offer relevant and accurate content, and offer your help wherever possible. This established goodwill already allows your reputation to precede you before the person even goes to your site. There are many forums out there, and finding one or a few pertinent to the sector your site specializes in should not be too hard. Pay Per Click or PPC Pay per click is the process whereby a site pays for every click generated from its advert on a specialized page or a search engine results page. This process works on the premise of selected keywords. The site selects its keywords and states the amount it is willing to pay, or bid, for every keyword. The highest bid for this keyword then earns the best placement in the sponsored links section of a search engine’s results page. If a viewer clicks the link to the site, the site owner then has to pay the search engine the amount it was willing to pay for the keyword. Thus the site only pays for a ‘clicked’ visit. PPC is basically a new form of paid advertisement that is getting more and more exposure and popularity as site owners are not reluctant to pay to earn traffic.
However, the process doesn’t work just like that to ensure good results. Even landing a prime spot in the sponsored links section, people may simply scan over the ad and discard it. The key then, is to have a very good ad copy to present for your link. Something that is intriguing and catchy and which covers what the viewer will find at your site is bound to work better than a general description of your site offerings. Using varied keywords for better exposure is also another way of ensuring broader scope. It pays to note that the ad should be linked to the specific product/content page it is advertising. Another requisite of PPC is that links should constantly be checked to see if they work. Also, testing can allow the site owner to find which keywords are earning him the best placements and consequently focus his attention and money on those keywords. Blog commenting Commenting on blogs, especially industry-specific ones, allow for broader scope of networking and exposure. Blogs have literally exploded in recent times, and as such, should not be dismissed. Blog commenting helps to increase visibility, and the great feature with blogs is that the one posting the comment can always link back to his site, since, on top of signatures in the comment, signing-in for commenting allows one to provide the link back to any site. Blogs also help to increase the exposure of your site, especially for content sites. These comments can be seen as preludes to the indepth content offered on the site. Commenting can also further help to brand your site and your own way of responding can be a unique experience people look for. In a way, by reading your comment, readers may be intrigued to know more and thus head over to your site. This can work well with product promotion. It is a good idea to remain brief and concise on comments, and to comment on blogs and topics that relate to and are pertinent to your own sector of operations.
Also, links should not be added in the comment itself but kept to the signing-in name section, where your name can link to your site. Joint ventures Joint ventures have garnered increased popularity lately as networking sites started to abound and everyone could connect on the same platform. Aspects of joint ventures cover links exchange, banner swaps, referrals and reviews. MyBlogLog MyBlogLog (www.mybloglog.com) is a social media-networking site that builds communities of bloggers and allow those bloggers to have a MyBlogLog calling card featuring their own avatar or picture. Featuring the MyBlogLog widget on blogs is a good way of knowing who dropped by your blog, and also allows others to see you when you leave your calling card somewhere. The widget further helps to determine who dropped by and thus have an idea of the audience visiting your blog and site. It is advantageous to have a very good and accurate profile set up if you are planning to use this opportunity to promote your site and this way earn more traffic. A catchy avatar also intrigues and garners attention and a second glance. The username you allow to have displayed could be set up to give the name of your site or your domain name, further increasing awareness. For this feature to work though, one needs to remain logged in the project. Surfing lots of blogs and leaving relevant comments allow further exposure. Leaving comments also encourages people to do so on your page, and by returning visits to those who visited you, you encourage them to notice you as a ‘good’ presence out there. Press Release A press release can help generate increased awareness and provide avenues of immense professional distribution. As such, it should not be overlooked, and it also helps provide a reader base.
Contrarily to the press releases of the past, the ones that are drawn up now are also featured on the virtual world, and as such, are search engine optimized with keywords too. The press release can also use links to your hubs and the fact that it allows feed subscriptions ensures that any update to the information will immediately be communicated to anyone subscribed to the feed, thus allowing for instant updates. Freebie Giving away freebies is another way of generating additional traffic to a site. Product sites have more scope as they can offer prizes, rebates, discounts and contests. Another tip is to offer a freebie for every purchase, thus enticing people to buy. Content sites can offer the following: checklists for a task, templates for specific documents, text workbooks on the site’s topic, classes and seminars, a dictionary of terms of the industry/niche, a live advice chat room, plans for setting up specific things, email reports, as well as designed forms. Facebook Facebook is another social networking site that boasts high levels of activity and membership. As such, in itself, Facebook is a great opportunity to increase your contact base by ‘friending’ many people. The network allows you to customize your profile and page, and making effective use of the layout boxes can provide better awareness and exposure for your site, its content or products. The Marketplace widget/plug-in is a good tool for showing your products. Additional features that can help generating traffic pertain to activity on the site. Commenting on walls increase exposure, and the profile name links back to your page which can in itself be a window as to what your site offers. ‘Friending’ people with extensive contacts lists is another way of making yourself seen out there.
Other options to generate traffic from Facebook would be to create applications and widgets that the network can support. These can then provide glimpses as to what your site offers, and is a wonderful opportunity for content sites. The update status feature should also not be neglected, as it can trigger curiosity as to what your profile is up to. Twitter Twitter (www.twitter.com) is another site which allows social networking, but the difference here is that Twitter is more a ‘talk’ site and more social in its approach, by allowing users to ‘follow’ others’ moves and updates (auto updates) and to leave short messages (twits). Good options to generate traffic from Twitter would be to post questions or ask questions at the end of your posts. This generates attention and encourages people to reply. As with all networking sites, using your signature and linking back through it to your site is the thing to do to create a buzz around your site. Twits can also be about your content, products, or the updates that just happened. In this light, twits can act as teasers to encourage visiting the site. Participation is key at this site. Visit, reply, and return visits and comments for those who came by yours – all these help to create a presence and goodwill for you and your site in people’s minds. All the above-mentioned avenues to help gain more traffic quickly and on a daily basis work. It is up to you now to find the best possible combination and strategy to make it work for your site.
Conclusion
You know it, I know it, and all Internet marketers know it: without receiving a steady stream of visitors, no business will be able to stay in business for long. Thus, if you want your business to be successful and to flourish, you must find ways to constantly sustain and increase your traffic flow. Using the strategies outlined in this report, you should be fully equipped to do this. All you have to do now is take action!
