I’m answering a question someone asked me about website traffic. Here’s her question: I know I’m supposed to pay attention to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to build traffic to my new website. But SEO seems confusing to me, and I want to know if there is any other way to do it?”
Dear Confused About SEO:
I’d never tell you to not pay attention to SEO, it’s a basic part of web design, for sure. But it’s also true that there are many ways to drive traffic to your website, so I’ll give you 3 alternatives that you can also use. Most web-based businesses use more than one traffic-driving strategy, and I recommend that you do, too.
- Right now, I’m hot on doing videos because they index quickly (are found quickly by browsers, which helps your website’s rankings). So add a weekly video as a blog post, or add a video with useful tips or resources for your readers. Be sure to give the title of your video a name that uses at least one of the keywords for your website, too! Videos don’t have to be long. In fact, even two minutes can give the viewer a lot of information.
- Use social media to drive traffic to your website. You could, as one example, use Twitter to send out the title of your newest blog post along with the link to the post. People interested in that topic will click through to read the blog (or watch the vlog if it’s a video). You can see that you need to have an interesting title so that it will intrigue your Twitter followers and compel them to click through.
- Consider using a guest blogger or two to pump up interest in your site. Think of someone with good name recognition who writes on or related to your main topic and ask the person to do a guest blog post for you. Make it easy by asking the person a few questions by email, then take the answer and do the blog post, making sure you thank the person by sharing their website link at the end of the guest blog post. Then, Tweet about that, and ask the guest blogger to let their own people know about the guest blog post and its link. Share the blog post on bookmarking sites, too!
There are other ways to drive traffic, but 3 alternatives is enough right now! Work those, and ask me again. I’ll give you 3 more. And remember not to forget about SEO, too!
Sue,
Great advice. Videos are hot and I’m getting ready to add a guest blogger section to my blog.
Write on!~
Lisa
Lisa,
You’ve used video to great effect already, can’t wait to check out your guest blogger section.
Sue
Love this, Sue! I really do need to start doing videos!!! Not sure what’s stopping me…it just doesn’t come to my mind for some reason!
Patricia,
Carve out a half day and knock out a bunch of ’em!
Sue
Thanks for sharing this Sue!!
You’re welcome, Janelle.
Sue,
All great tips. Thanks.
Sue
I’ve done 2 and 3 and I comment on other blogs but I really need to do more video (and it seems most of your other readers do too!) – I’ve seen many of your videos and I must admit they are great. You’ve inspired to me do at least one a month for starters!
Thanks
Trudy
I’ll look forward to seeing one from you, Trudy! You’ll be great at it.
Sue
Dr. Bob – I love your vids and pass them along to my massage clients all the time!
Sue,
I’m really engaged in your #1 suggest doing videos. They are really easy for me to do and people respond to them very well. Thanks!
Dr. Robert Fenell
Sue,
Great tips! I haven’t tried your third tip about guest bloggers. I will look into that!
Kiyla Fenell
You were an early user of video, I know, Mary Ellen. I look forward to seeing more of yours in the future.
Sue
All good suggestions Sue. I have especially seen the power of video when I use it. Need to use more often.
LOL about the red nose, Linda. I will check your blog for some video soon!
These are great ideas, Sue. As always, you make marketing and becoming more visible seem easy (and when I follow your advice, I get great results–thanks!) Onward to doing more video (I stopped when I got sick and had a red nose and swollen chapped lips).
Sue –
These are great tips! You reminded me that I need to boost my video campaign efforts… 🙂
~Carmen
Me, too! I seem to go in spurts, Carmen. 🙂
Sue – These are great ideas! I haven’t yet added video to my blog… personal block there 😉
I would also add that commenting on other blogs, submitting guest posts of your own to other bloggers, and using your newsletter and print marketing materials are great too! We see a big spike in traffic and new business inquires each time we publish our newsletter and each time we send a direct mail piece!
-Best wishes,
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative, LLC
Yes, Jennifer, I agree, consistent newsletters are definitely a good thing.
2 and 3 I got … but I really need to move toward the video. You made that sound so easy and logical. So, look for one soon! Thanks Sue
Great ideas, Sue. I particularly like the idea of a guestblogger–how simple is that?!! Maybe I’ll try video blogging on a good hair day.
LOL about the good hair day. You can always vlog outdoors and blame it on the wind!
Thanks, Kristina. I can’t wait to see your first vlogs!
Wonderful ideas, Sue. I’ve been wanting to add video to my blog and know I have even more reason to do so. Thanks for the tips.