5 Ways to Instantly Increase Your Web Site Traffic

16/06/09 posted by Michael Sharkey

If your web site isn't performing as well as it should be, or not as well as it use to, here are 5 quick and effective strategies to increase your web site traffic and sales.

1. Use Google Adwords Effectively

It's instant and you can achieve an amazing ROI. Google Adwords is one of the most important online marketing tools for business. But if you are like 90% of Australian Adwords users, you are probably not effectively using Google Adwords and making people who know how RICH. Here are some quick tips on running a well optimised, results driven campaign:

• Set a goal: most people fail because they don't know what they want, an example of an Adwords goal might be, "I want a Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) (per lead) of $30.00", be realistic.
• Optimise your campaign: If you are a Sydney camera store and aren't selling online, stop advertising for "brisbane camera stores", it's a waste of time and money. Optimisation of campaigns can significantly reduce wasted advertising spend and increase your conversions.
• Use split test ads: Split testing your ads (running two ads side by side to see which performs better) is a great way to research the market and increase the click through rate (CTR) on your Adwords.

2. Get Social - Facebook Advertising Works

It might seem like Gen Y's playground but Facebook has grown in interest amongst advertisers for it's ability to target market a wide segment of consumers, everyone from CEOs to Grand Parents are on Facebook. The Facebook Advertising system, while in infancy, allows you to target consumers by age, sex and a number of preferences. For example, if you were selling women's fashion you might target all females between 25-55 that are in Sydney (close to your store). It's extremely powerful and yields highly qualified results - instantly.

3. Buy Links

Online advertising agencies will have you believe the only way of reaching qualified customers is to buy a banner or some form of print marketing translated to the web, WRONG! Have you ever considered buying links on web sites popular with your target audience?  I'm not talking sponsored links either, or any streamlined way of online marketing. I'm talking the raw stuff - contacting popular web site owners directly and negotiating a sponsorship opportunity that is beneficial to both parties. Well placed, paid links benefit SEO (search engine optimisation) and increase web site traffic by attracting qualified leads.

4. Get Published - The Easy Way

PR is a common part of a thorough business marketing strategy, and for very good reason, it builds awareness and drives interest for very little cost. Most businesses long to be published on reputable news sites, online magazines or any other notable publications. The truth is - you don't have to do it the hard way to increase traffic to your web site. The secret, GET ACTIVE! Join communities, comment on news sites and give your business a voice in the industry. Even if you sell fridge magnets you have your place in a marketing forum. Online PR and market involvement is the best way to build the reputation of your business as a contributor and your click through rates!

5. Build a Tool Even Your Competitors Can't Resist

We built a free web site analyser tool earlier in the year, we used an internal algorithm we have been using for years that scans web sites to determine how we can improve their search engine rankings and usability. We have never thought to give it away until recently. The tool has been so popular we have even traced competitors using it and some of the largest web site owners in the country have scanned their sites. It's been a highly successful marketing exercise and has driven our traffic through the roof. Every industry has knowledge that they can share, build a tool your market cannot resist and watch your traffic and sales grow. For example, if you run an ecommerce site you might build a unique product comparison tool. The objective is simple, give and you gain.