Want More Website Traffic?
If you have a website, you are aware that traffic is essential, especially if you have something to sell. Not just any old traffic, though - you need targeted traffic.
What do I mean by targeted traffic? It simply means visitors to your website who are interested in what your website is about. For instance, someone who is planning to buy a wedding ring would be interested in jewelry websites
How do I get targeted traffic? The following are tried and tested methods:
Forums: Subscribe to forums that discuss your topic. Answer questions and join in the debates there. Aim to become established as an expert in the subject. Place a discreet link to your site in your signature file, which will appear in every reply you make. What can be placed in your signature is often determined by the forum moderators. You can get banned from most forums if you spam them - make your posts helpful or thought-provoking. This is one of the most productive ways of getting free traffic as those who click your link have already read and liked your style.
Linking from/to other websites: Look for websites which are similar to yours (but which do not compete directly). Ask the website owner for a reciprocal link. Be sure to pick link partners who match your customer profile. Software programs such as Arelis are useful in this process.
E-Zines: Buy adverts in ezines that target your market. Perform a test to ensure that the return on your investment is enough to cover the cost of the adverts. If you are buying an extended run of adverts bargain with the e-zine owner over price. You may save some money.
Newsletters: When people visit your website offer them something of value for free if they sign up to your newsletter (like an e-Book). Your newsletter should be written tightly geared towards your topic. It should be published regularly at weekly intervals.
E-Books: Often used, these are usually informational books for your clients and for others to give away free. You can place links back to your website in the eBook.
Joint Ventures: Online marketers are always looking for products to sell. They often have large mailing lists with eager to buy customers. Usually they will be willing to send an email to their list for a cut of the sale price. This works particularly well with informational products. It has several advantages. It can give a very sizeable boost to both your sales and mailing list in a short time.
Buy Expired Domain Traffic: This may be the most expensive in terms of money, but also the cheapest in terms of time. You will usually get a traffic boost within a month. What is it that you're buying? You are buying traffic from expired domain names which the company selling the traffic has bought. These are domain names which are still registered on the search engines which get a certain amount of traffic. The previous domain name owners have not renewed the registration for whatever reason. The traffic from the expired domain name is redirected to your website. This is usually high quality traffic as only expired domains with relevant traffic is redirected to you. As always, you should do a test run to see if this traffic is suitable.
These techniques are most powerful when used in combination. When you apply them consistently over time, you will develop a rich source of targeted traffic. This, combined with quality products will ensure the success of your online business.
Have a look at DJTraffic.com, Mike Devoran's site about getting more website traffic.
Published October 9th, 2007
