Websites are the best way to build your business in our digital-focused world. It is safe to assume that if your website has high traffic, your business is getting publicity and potential customers. If you're like most businesses, however, you're likely struggling to drive the volume of traffic you need to grow your business.
Little to no website traffic is a common challenge among community members on Business.com. Many complain that their efforts to boost traffic take too long and aren't yielding the results they hoped for.
What can you do to make sure your website is getting the greatest amount of traffic possible? Here are 10 strategies for businesses of all sizes to follow if they want to boost the number of visitors to their website.
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1. Advertisements
In order for your site to have traffic, you need to let everyone know it is there in the first place! Invest in paid search ads, display ads, etc., so customers can find you.
2. Social media
As you likely already know, social media can be a huge benefit to any business. Include your website address in your social posts will drive your traffic through the roof. LinkedIn, in particular, presents an enormous opportunity for generating web traffic. If you constantly post blogs, videos, etc. that others in your field will find interesting, users are likely to read a post and then explore your company’s website to see what other interesting pieces of information you can offer.
3. Video content
Today's consumers respond best to visual content. Adding a video to your site will bring in traffic and keep users engaged. Videos can range from tips of the trade to a simple "Welcome!" from your company's CEO. Let your imagination flow and post short videos that will instantly draw in a reader. Try setting up a YouTube channel for your business. Post videos that are specific to your business and/or product(s), and don't forget to include a link to your website in the video's description.
4. Email marketing
From real estate agencies to preschool teachers, people everywhere are using email marketing to get the word out about happenings in their line of work. If you send emails to past, current and potential customers once a week, chances are something will catch their eyes and give them that nudge to click on your email, which then takes them to your website. Just like that, your email marketing campaign is bringing in more website traffic.
5. SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) makes sure your website has keywords that will bring it to the top of a search engine's results list when someone searches for your product(s) or business. When your website is at the top of that results list, you will increase your traffic exponentially.
Here are a few important components to consider for your SEO strategy:
- Keywords: Keywords are the heart of an SEO marketing strategy. Use specific, longer keywords that capture a phrase that relates to your content (e.g., "how to build an app" versus just "build").
- Title tags and meta descriptions: Search results are displayed with a clickable headline in larger font size (title tag) and a brief summary of the website/page in smaller font size (meta descriptions). Making sure your website’s title tag and meta description are accurate and inviting will pull more traffic your way.
- Optimized images: For your site to be ranked higher on the search results list, add text such as alt tags, titles and descriptions to all images. This way, the search engine can account for the text that refers to an image on your site when developing its results list.
- Backlinks: Backlinks are any links to your website that are included on another site. This can be done organically, such as when a blogger links out to your website, or by listing your company in electronic directories.
- SSL Certificates: SSL Certificates mark your website as "safe" for users to proceed. This will ensure you aren’t missing out on any traffic because the users decided to not take their chances on an unsafe website.
- Mobile Optimization: Since more and more web traffic is coming from mobile devices, your website must be mobile-friendly. Check here to learn more about how to create an app that will help you grow your business.
6. Blogging
Blogging can be a powerful way to guide online traffic to your website. Publish fresh ideas and perspectives on a hot topic that pertains to your business. With your blogs, you'll need to craft a clear, attention-grabbing headline. Without one, people aren't going to know what your blog post is about or even whether they want to take the time to read it, so they will most likely skip over it.
7. Engaging with the community
One of the best ways to obtain higher website traffic is to become a part of the community (physically and virtually). You can drive more traffic from those in your physical community by purchasing billboard ad space that clearly displays your website address. Or, you can simply leave business cards at the local coffee house for their customers to pick up as they pay for their lattes. Your virtual community can range from social media to chat rooms about your specific line of work. Get advice from and give advice to others in your type of business and grow as a community that helps each other. Then, when it feels appropriate, offer your website address for others in the virtual community to visit.
Another golden engagement opportunity lies in responding to comments on your blog. When readers feel their opinion matters and are encouraged to voice those opinions, they feel welcome to return and comment on future blogs. Bonus tip: When several readers bring up the same question/topic in response to your blog, create a follow-up response/blog that addresses this question in detail.
8. Improving website speed
Making sure your website is responsive and fast to load is a big factor in its success. Research has shown that if your website takes more than five seconds to load, the user will close out your site and move on. So, make sure your website is up-to-date with all the latest and fastest “juice” available.
9. Reviewing analytics
Analyzing data may sound tedious, but it gives invaluable information. With quality website monitoring and analytics software, you can find out which parts of your site people are visiting the most, which parts are slowing you down, as well as visitor demographics. Demographics can help you determine what needs to be changed to appeal to a certain age group or location. With analytics, your site developers will be able to perform makeovers so that your site receives higher traffic.
10. Submitting content to other sites
Submitting content (like blogs) to other sites, such as Reddit, can be beneficial if you post to a sub-Reddit thread that is specifically about your blog’s topic. Mix.com (previously known as StumbleUpon), AllTop and Triberr are a few other sites that encourage relevant blog posts.
Driving more traffic is partly common-sense strategies and partly insider knowledge. Follow these tips and watch your site’s traffic soar!