Getting more website traffic takes some time and effort. Publishing a great website is a major milestone for any company. However, if users can’t find it easily, your web traffic is sure to suffer. There’s almost always room for improvement, especially for brand-new builds. Bridging this gap is vital to get the most out of any business website. High traffic means more eyes on your content, more leads in your pipeline, and more sales down the road. This is often easier said than done, but there are many basic tricks that can work wonders. These are our top five tactics to help your website get as much traffic as possible.
If you’re unfamiliar with this term, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve covered search engine optimization (SEO) in many past posts. It can be easy to overlook if you’re new to digital marketing. However, various shocking statistics reflect its value. For instance, most online sessions begin with a search engine like Google. These useful tools direct the bulk of online traffic to websites with answers to users’ questions. SEO is the long-term process of making a website more likely to be found on search engines. The best websites rank highly for certain keywords, ideally on the first page of results. This is crucial because over 70% of users click on a first-page result. Google ranks different domains based on hundreds of factors like load time, content, and activity.
Every good SEO strategy includes a Google Business Profile. This simple resource is easy to create and maintain. It gives users key details about a company at a glance. The profile displays a website, phone number, location, and hours of operation beside search results. Claim your profile if you haven’t yet, and update its content often. We recommend doing this at least weekly, and especially after major business changes. This will signal that the company is active and cares about its customers. Be sure to add a website link, products, services, and relevant images.
Regular website updates are also vital for SEO. One way to do this is by adding a blog page. Consider publishing blog content about relevant topics at least monthly. This will go a long way in signaling that your website is active. Plus, visitors will be more likely to share your content with others if they get value from it.
A great deal of web traffic comes from mobile devices like smartphones. It should come as no surprise that over 50% of worldwide traffic in 2021 came from mobile devices. Mobile-friendly websites support the modern internet user. They load quickly, are easy to use, and contain the same content as desktop versions. Google will shift to mobile-first indexing in the near future. This means that websites which are mobile-friendly will often rank higher than those that don’t.
There are many factors in mobile optimization. One of the most important is fast load times. This matters because many users will leave a website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Delete excess widgets, pictures, and videos from the mobile version. If you must include photos, try to only use the .jpg format. This will keep photos’ file sizes to a minimum. High-quality video isn’t ideal for mobile devices, either. Less is more when it comes to mobile platforms, so keep your webpage designs minimal. Make content simple and direct, and try to omit any extra flair. If the website features an online store, make sure it integrates well with mobile. Your online store should be swift, secure, and user-friendly. If it isn’t, users are less likely to return, make purchases, or recommend it to others.
Consumers expect company websites to work well. They visit them with the hope of easily finding something useful. Help them out by ensuring they can find what they seek. One of the fastest ways to lose website traffic is by confusing or frustrating visitors. In fact, consumers often judge a company based solely on the quality of its web design.
User experience (UX) is a big deal for any website. It can mean the difference between missed revenue and lifetime brand loyalty. There are some simple things to keep in mind when focusing on website UX. The user interface should be clean and easy to navigate. Anyone should be able to know who you are and what you do within seconds. Answers and solutions should only be a few clicks away, even on mobile devices. Accomplish this with direct calls-to-action (CTAs), buttons that encourage users to “Buy Now” or “Learn More.” Make these stand out with buttons or bright colors. Label webpages with clear language like “About,” “Contact,” and “Services.” Add drop-down menus to simplify content navigation. Allow users to retrace their steps with labeled arrows or “breadcrumbs” that link to previous pages. These strategies will go a long way in ensuring your website is user-friendly.
The internet excels at connecting diverse audiences. Social media platforms like Facebook are one of the best examples of this. Billions use them to stay up to date with friends and family, as well their favorite brands. If you’re looking for more website traffic, take a peek at your social media presence. Many people form their first impression of a company based on its social media pages. Create a Facebook Business Page if you haven’t already, and put some effort into it. Also, consider if YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram apply to your industry.
Social media platforms are important because they’re so versatile. There’s almost no limit to what companies can do with them. For one, most profiles are free to create and maintain. It’s also easy to promote a business website on social media. YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn support direct website links through basic posts. Facebook also features Groups which allow you to expand reach for no added cost. This is a great way to connect with others and drive traffic to your website. Social media management is one of the best methods of increasing organic website traffic.
Traditional advertising targeted broad audiences through TV, radio, and print sources. This impersonal approach worked well when these audiences were large. These days, the average American spends as many as 7 hours online every single day. TV, radio, and print ads rarely reach these users, and if they do, they often have little impact.
Many online platforms offer paid marketing options. Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram are all great examples. They allow you to target specific audiences with promoted content. Because of this, digital ads are more engaging than impersonal efforts. They also collect and provide valuable user data to help improve future campaigns. If your budget allows it, consider looking into digital ads. Their ROI is often higher than old-school methods. Plus, it’s easier to calculate ROI since you’ll know exactly how many people ads reached and influenced.
Websites are some of the best resources for consumers. They serve as valuable sources of information at all hours of the day, even on weekends and during holidays. Websites can easily educate, entertain, and encourage sales on a variety of devices. A professional website also lends credibility to a company. It shows that the business is active, and it cares about its customers’ experiences. If you’re struggling with your online presence or have any questions, we hope you’ll contact us. Our clients trust us to boost their web traffic and our track record speaks for itself.
Originally published on June 18th, 2020
Lincoln, Nebraska
7800 O St, Suite 103, Lincoln, NE 68510