10 Tips to Get More Traffic to Your Website
Building a website doesn't mean people will just flock to it, unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Whether you've just launched your website and need to get your brand out there more, or your traffic has hit a bit of a slump in recent times, there are a few things you can do to generate more traffic to your website. It requires a bit of stepping outside of the ol' comfort zone, thinking creatively, and trying new things.
Just remember though - there’s no such thing as an overnight success. Some of these tips might help you score a quick win (aka, a traffic spike), but when it comes to building a constant stream of traffic to your website, you will need to implement ongoing strategies that will reap benefits in the long-term too.
Let’s get started shall we?
#1. Write More List Posts
What’s a list post I hear you say? Well, this is. List-style blog posts are still very popular (with readers and with search engines), so when you’re brainstorming your next blog topic, think about how you could turn it into a list. Maybe it’s "10 steps to achieving x" or "3 ways that you can do y". By breaking your content into easy-to-digest bites (or list points), you make a very specific promise to your reader - “read this post and walk away with x number of tips.” It gives a quantifiable return on attention invested, and goes a long way toward prompting action (as long as you then deliver on that promise with quality content).
#2. Optimise Your Google Business Profile
So many businesses do just the bare minimum with their Google Business profile, so if you can up your game on this platform, you'll quickly see the results. Every extra bit of detail that you include, every review and every new image or post will increase your chances of showing on map and Google searches. Here are some quick tips on what you should focus on:
Make sure that all of your contact details are complete, up to date, and match your website (including your opening hours)
Ensure your business category is relevant, and add 2 or 3 sub-categories
Get as many 5-star reviews from your customers as possible
Brand your profile with your logo and images
Share updates and posts each week (repurpose content from your other social channels)
#3. Create a Giveaway
Social media giveaways are a great way to quickly gain awareness and email leads, and they can be very easy and inexpensive to set up. Think about the goal of the giveaway and make sure that the entry mechanism (i.e. the way someone enters the competition) supports that goal. For example - if your goal is to get new followers on your Instagram, make sure that a condition of entry is following your page and tagging friends. If you want to get more traffic to your website, host the entry form on a landing page on your site, and include the competition link in your posts or bio.
#4. Reply to Q&A Websites/Forums
Sites like Quora can be goldmines for brand awareness and website traffic. Do a quick search for topics that are relevant to your industry, and then answer any questions you find. Try to avoid being too “salesy” and rather aim to offer value and showcase your expertise. If it’s appropriate, add a link to your website.
#5. Get Interviewed on Podcasts
Being a guest on an industry-relevant podcast is a great way to expose your brand to a new audience, show off your knowledge, and get a backlink to your website. Make a list of podcasts that are relevant to your audience and industry, and reach out to the poddy owner to request to feature or contribute to an episode. Hosting your own podcast is also a great way to get more website traffic, but this does require a much larger time and resource commitment to do on an ongoing basis.
#6. Publish Blog Articles on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is still this largely under-utilised social platform. Most people still see it as a digital version of the resume, when really, it can be so much more. It’s a great place to syndicate your content, whether you’re writing a completely new blog or reviving an old one. It’s a free and easy way to drive traffic to your site, and to establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
#7. Hop on Those Stories
And yes, I do mean Instagram Stories. You can use stories to create a more personal connection with your audience - it’s incredibly effective as you can speak directly to your audience, building trust and likeability. Plus, you can also prompt action from them (which is much more likely to be done when they know, like and trust you), by including links in your stories.
#8. Get Retargeting
Retargeting ads on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to get existing traffic and bring them back to your website, where you can offer them further value or prompt them to take action. Social advertising can be expensive, but retargeting is a much more cost-effective option because you’re advertising to a warm audience, one that already knows you and has already visited your website.
#9. Repurpose Your Content
One piece of content - especially video content - can be used in so many ways, so make sure you’re milking it for all it’s worth and getting that content out onto every platform you can. Make a reel for Instagram? Save it to your phone and resize it for Facebook. Then add it to Youtube. Transcribe the video and turn it into a blog post, with the Youtube video embedded in the post. This repurposes your video, gives you a backlink with Youtube, and gives your plenty of SEO-rich keywords in the blog. Sounds like a winner to me!
#10. Send an Email
Email marketing is a tried-and-true method to generate traffic to your website. You could send your database an email newsletter, giving them an update on your business, offering them some useful information, and even promoting a sale or event. You can use this format to drive people to your website to read an article (like your newest list post) or take advantage of an offer.
Believe me, I know - you’re busy, and these may not seem like they need to be at the top of your to-do list. But, your website is your online shopfront, it is always worth promoting. So, when you’re creating your next Instagram post or writing that blog post, ask yourself how you can use this piece of content, or this platform, to get people to your website. That should be your goal with every piece of marketing you create because a website visitor is worth so much more than a Facebook follower!
