Driving traffic to a website is one of the key ways businesses are generating leads. While paid ads, social media, and email marketing attracts web visits, organic traffic is a main source. What are the best ways to drive traffic organically to your website?
Here are 6 Steps to Improving Organic Traffic:
1. List your business website in local directories.
Have you ever searched Google or Yelp for reviews for a business before making a purchase? The same is true for your customers. If a customer doesn’t know who you are or what you provide, one way to drive traffic to your website is to list your business on a directory like Yelp, Angi, or Trip Advisor. Not only will people learn about your business but they will be able to see what others are saying about you, building trust and hopefully moving them to work with you. Also tap into Google My Business as and help potential customers find you. With it, you will boost your success with local search, giving you added visibility for searches done within a certain radius of your location.
2. Optimized web pages and blog posts.
Attracting prospects to your website doesn’t have to be rocket science but it does need to be strategic. People are using search engines like Google or those on social platforms to find answers to their questions, products to purchase, and communities to engage. To get those people onto your site, work to write each of your web pages, blog posts, and back end metadata, ALT tags, and product descriptions to relate to the things people are searching for. Consider keywords and long tail queries–words, phrases, and questions related to your product or service–and include them in your web content. Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest and Answer The Public are free resources to help on this exercise.
3. Create YouTube videos.
YouTube should also be a part of your content marketing strategy as it will help drive traffic to your website. As a key Google product, YouTube content will show prominently in search engine results. People search YouTube for answers to questions and reviews of products and services.
Create YouTube content and work with other content creators to generate how-to’s, thought leadership content, and product reviews. Direct video viewers to your website with a call-to-action in the video, “cards” at the end of your video, in the description, and on your channel profile. Once your videos are published to YouTube, they can be shared elsewhere on the web and embedded on your web pages or blog posts to attract and convert interested buyers.
4. PR and Other People’s Platforms.
Media sites and other people’s platforms are another resource for driving organic leads. Use Help A Reporter Out or pitch editors who cover news in your space with timely stories and editorial that mention your product or service. Write articles for other blogs and pitch yourself for features in industry publications, events, and podcasts. By leveraging the reach, audience, and influence of other media channels and platforms, you will build trust and drive qualified leads to your website.
5. Optimized social profiles and content.
Google isn’t the only powerful search engine used for driving traffic. Every social media platform has built-in search engines to help users find the content or influencers they are looking for. Fully complete your social media profile and bio section with your product, service, location, contact information, and a link to your website. Post updates with information your audience is looking for and include well-researched hashtags and keywords that are relevant to the individual update. Instagram users with 20 hashtags in their caption are seeing increased visibility so consider this when creating your posts.
6. Nominations and awards.
A little known way to get traffic to your website is nominations and awards. Like public relations or guest blogging, having an influential organization recognize your work and contributions will position your brand and boost interest in your business. If the award write up is online and links to your website, it can be a great resource for sending people to your site. Look out for calls for nominations and put your hat in the ring.
There are several strategies for getting traffic to your website. Organic traffic will keep marketing costs down and send customers who are looking for the things you offer. If you need help, reach out to us here.
