Key takeaways:
- Regularly update your content, optimize your site for SEO, and engage on social media to keep traffic flowing.
- Focus on using the right marketing strategies like SEO, paid ads, and social media to attract relevant visitors.
- Ensure your website is mobile-friendly to enhance user experience.
Driving traffic to your website is one of the top challenges for business owners today. In fact, studies show that 21% of small businesses report that generating website traffic is their biggest struggle. No matter how great your product or service is, without traffic, your site remains invisible to potential customers.
In this article, you’ll discover 21 actionable strategies to help increase your website’s visibility and attract the right kind of traffic. We’ll cover everything from search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing to paid ads, plus tools on how to get people to visit your website.
Why website traffic matters
Website traffic is more than just the number of your website visitors. It directly impacts your website’s performance, lead generation, and sales potential.
The more visitors you have, the more possibility you can convert those visitors into paying customers, build your email list, or generate more brand awareness.
But those numbers mean nothing if they’re not interested in what you’re offering. Attracting the right people to your website ensures that the visits are converted into increased sales and engagement.
Without sufficient quality traffic, your website essentially becomes a storefront that no one sees, hindering any chance of growth or success.
21 ways to attract customers
To attract more visitors and keep them engaged, you need the right strategies. Here are 21 proven ways to increase traffic to your website:
- Create content based on what people search for
- Use keywords that match real search intent
- Optimize with on-page SEO basics
- Write page titles and meta descriptions that get clicks
- Make your site fast and mobile-friendly
- Keep older posts fresh with new updates
- Add internal links to your most important pages
- List your business on Google and relevant directories
- Earn backlinks from trusted websites in your niche
- Use schema markup to stand out in search previews
- Create dedicated landing pages for your offers
- Share your content consistently on social media
- Add relevant hashtags to reach new people
- Team up with influencers and brand advocates
- Participate in online communities
- Send email newsletters that link to your site
- Run retargeting ads to re-engage past visitors
- Ask happy customers to leave reviews
- Add share buttons to blog posts and product pages
1. Create content based on what people search for
Your content should answer the questions your audience is asking. Focus on blog posts or landing pages that address the needs and challenges your customers are searching for. The goal is to match your content with what your audience is looking for.
Leverage tools like Google Trends, Exploding Topics, or keyword research tools to find out what people are searching for in your industry. This way, you can create valuable, relevant content that speaks directly to the needs of your target audience.
Always ensure your content provides real value and resonates with the search intent behind those queries.
2. Use keywords that match real search intent
Keywords matter in SEO, but choosing the right keywords matters more. It’s essential to target keywords that align with your audience’s actual search intent.
For example, targeting “best running shoes for flat feet” brings a more targeted audience than simply “shoes.”
Long-tail keywords or specific phrases are often more effective because they target niche audiences that are closer to converting. By focusing on these detailed search terms, you ensure you’re addressing precise user needs, which ultimately leads to more qualified traffic.
3. Optimize with on-page SEO basics
On-page SEO is essential for optimizing your pages to rank higher in search engine results pages. Key elements like title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags help search engines understand the content of your page.
These elements also guide both search engines and users, providing clarity about what your page is about.
Also, don’t forget about alt text for images, proper URL structures, and internal linking. These small optimizations help search engines understand your content and drive more organic traffic to your site.
4. Write page titles and meta descriptions that get clicks
The first thing users see in search results is your page title and meta description. To make your page stand out, these need to be clear, concise, and compelling. Write titles that include your target keyword and entice users to click.
Your meta description should summarize what the page is about, with a call to action or hook that makes users want to read more. This can increase your click-through rate and help your pages rank higher.
5. Make your site fast and mobile-friendly
Search engines like Google prioritize user experience, which includes how fast your website loads and how it performs on mobile devices.
Slow loading times can hurt your rankings, while a mobile-unfriendly site could drive visitors away. Make sure your site is optimized for both speed and mobile use to retain visitors.
A responsive design is essential to ensure your website looks great and functions well across all devices, from desktops to smartphones. You can leverage tools like GTmetrix to identify and fix any performance issues.
With a faster and mobile-friendly site, you’ll not only boost your SEO rankings but also enhance the user experience, allowing visitors to stay longer and engage with your content.
6. Keep older posts fresh with new updates
Updating older content is just as important as creating fresh content. By revisiting and refreshing older blog posts or landing pages with new statistics, examples, or updated information, you enhance their relevance. This can help improve rankings and attract new visitors.
Search engines prefer websites that stay current. Updating content regularly signals that your website is active and authoritative, contributing positively to your rankings in organic search engines.
7. Add internal links to your most important pages
Internal linking helps both users and search engines navigate your site more efficiently. By linking to relevant pages on your website, you enhance user experience and encourage relevant traffic or visitors to explore more content.
Additionally, internal links allow search engines to crawl your website more effectively, improving the SEO of linked pages. This strategy can help distribute link equity across your site, boosting rankings across various pages.
8. List your business on Google and relevant directories
Optimizing your Google My Business profile is an effective way to boost your local SEO. It also makes your business more visible to nearby customers searching for products or services like yours.
In addition to Google, listing your business in local and industry-specific directories like Yellow Pages improves your online presence and credibility. These directories increase your chances of appearing in local searches, driving targeted traffic to your site.
9. Earn backlinks from trusted websites in your niche
Backlinks are one of the strongest signals for search engine rankings. By securing links from reputable sites in your industry, you improve your domain authority and visibility in search results.
You can earn backlinks through guest posting, collaborations, or creating content that naturally attracts links. The more quality backlinks you gain, the higher your site’s trustworthiness and ranking potential.
10. Use schema markup to stand out in search previews
Schema markup is a form of structured data that helps search engines understand the content of your website more clearly. Adding schema to your pages can make your site stand out in search results with rich snippets, like star ratings or product details.
With schema, your content appears more informative in search results, which can lead to a higher click-through rate (CTR). Rich snippets offer users quick insights into your content, making it more appealing and likely to be clicked.
11. Create dedicated landing pages for your offers
When you promote an offer on social media, create a dedicated landing page that’s optimized for that specific offer. Ensure that the landing page aligns with the message in your ad or post and includes a clear call to action (CTA). This will increase the chances that visitors will complete the desired action.
Ensure the landing page offers a seamless experience for visitors. A dedicated page for each promotion makes it easier for visitors to understand exactly what you’re offering and how to take advantage of it.
12. Share your content consistently on social media
Social media is a powerful tool for driving traffic, but only if you use it consistently. Share your content regularly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Maintaining a steady stream of posts keeps your audience engaged and your content visible.
Consistency is key to building a social media presence. The more you share content, the more you can catch the attention of new visitors and keep existing followers interested.
Just ensure your content varies to keep things fresh and cater to different segments of your audience.
13. Add relevant hashtags to reach new people
Hashtags help expand the reach of your posts on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Leveraging hashtags that are specific to your niche or current trends help people find your content and increase your visibility.
Using the right hashtags, you can connect with people who are actively searching for content related to your industry.
But be strategic about the hashtags you choose to use, as the right ones can help you attract highly targeted followers who are more likely to engage with your content and visit your website.
14. Team up with influencers and brand advocates
Partnering with influencers in your industry allows you to tap into their established audience. Influencers can share your content or promote your products and drive more traffic to your website and boost your credibility.
When working with influencers, choose individuals whose values align with your brand. Authentic partnerships lead to more genuine engagement and increase the likelihood that their followers will visit your website and consider your products or services.
15. Participate in online communities
Online communities are great places to engage with people who are already interested in your niche. When you answer questions, provide value, and link to relevant content on your website, you can drive traffic and establish yourself as a trusted authority.
Being helpful and sharing expertise in these communities helps build credibility and drive organic traffic. When participating, ensure your contributions are meaningful and valuable to encourage visitors to explore your site further.
16. Send email newsletters that link to your site
Email newsletters are an effective way to maintain engagement with your audience. Sending newsletters with helpful content, updates, and offers regularly can keep your business top of mind.
Keep your audience informed and connected to encourage repeat visits. Newsletters help you nurture relationships, remind visitors of your offerings, and drive traffic back to your site.
Don’t forget to iInclude a clear call to action (CTA) that directs recipients back to your website.
17. Run retargeting ads to re-engage past visitors
Retargeting ads are a great way to reconnect with visitors who previously showed interest but didn’t convert. These ads can remind them of your products or services and encourage them to return to your site and complete their purchase.
This approach is highly effective in increasing conversions by re-engaging visitors who might have forgotten about your site.
18. Ask happy customers to leave reviews
Positive reviews can work wonders for your business. Ask satisfied customers to share their experiences on review platforms. These reviews act as social proof that builds trust and encourages new visitors to explore your site.
Social proof helps establish credibility, especially for new customers who may be hesitant to trust your brand. A collection of positive reviews can have a significant impact on boosting your reputation and attracting new visitors.
19. Add share buttons to blog posts and product pages
Make it easy for your visitors to share your content or products on social media by adding share buttons to your blog posts and product pages. These simple tools can increase your reach and bring in more traffic from your visitors’ networks.
These share buttons can help you tap into your visitors’ social circles and create more opportunities for new traffic. Encourage your audience to spread the word and help grow your presence organically.
20. Run ads on Google, Facebook, or Instagram
Paid ads provide a fast way to get your website in front of your ideal customers. You can customize your ad campaigns based on demographics including location, age, interests, and behaviors.
Leveraging ads like Google ads allows you to target a more specific audience. This ensures that your ads are shown to the right people and increases the chances of driving quality traffic to your site.
21. Create urgency with limited time offers
Limited time offers can encourage quick action from potential customers. Adding a sense of urgency to your ads such as a countdown or special discount can make your offer more enticing.
Urgency helps to trigger an immediate response from your audience, pushing them to visit your site and take action before the offer expires. This strategy works especially well in paid ads, where time-sensitive deals can convert clicks into purchases or leads.
Tools to help drive traffic to your website
When driving more traffic to your website, using the right tools can make all the difference. Here are some effective tools that can help improve your website’s visibility:
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- BuzzSumo
Let’s take a closer look how each tool works:
Google analytics
Google analytics is an essential tool for tracking and analyzing your website’s traffic. It provides detailed insights into who visits your site, where they come from, and how they engage with your content. Use it to track performance and identify opportunities to increase traffic.
Google search console
Google search console is another tool from Google that helps monitor your website’s presence in search results. It allows you to track your website’s indexing status, search performance, and potential issues that may hinder more website traffic.
SEMrush
SEMrush is a popular tool for keyword research, competitive analysis, and tracking SEO performance. It helps you find high-performing keywords, discover opportunities to rank higher, and analyze competitors’ strategies to stay ahead.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is known for its link-building capabilities and backlink analysis. It’s a great tool for discovering where your backlinks are coming from and finding new link-building opportunities.
You can also analyze your competitors’ link profiles to uncover strategies that can help boost free website traffic.
BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo is excellent for content marketing and social media promotion. It allows you to find trending topics and popular content in your industry. By understanding what’s performing well, you can create more engaging content that will drive traffic to your site.
Boost website traffic and turn it into sales
Driving traffic to your website needs a combination of strategies that work together. Whether it’s improving your SEO, social media marketing, or using paid ads, each effort helps you connect with your target audience. But staying consistent is key, so always ensure you’re following the right steps that align with your business goals.
If you’re ready to drive traffic to your website and see real results, Network Solutions offers digital marketing services, including SEO, to help boost your website’s online presence.
Frequently asked questions
It could be due to poor SEO, lack of quality content, or not targeting the right audience. Ensure your website is optimized, share valuable content, and promote it through the right channels.
Building significant website traffic can take a few months, especially with organic methods like SEO. Consistency in content creation, promotion, and optimization is key to long-term results.
Yes, mobile optimization is essential for website traffic. More users are now browsing mobile devices. Just ensure your site is mobile-friendly to improve user experience and boosts search rankings.