How to Drive Traffic to Your Website: 12 Tips

A strong online presence is crucial for business success. A key element of your business’s online presence is your strategy for driving traffic to your website. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of site traffic for your business and provide some practical tips for businesses looking for ways to improve their web traffic. Whether you're a seasoned online entrepreneur or a newcomer to the business world, these 12 tips are sure to help you boost your online visibility and help you take your business to the next level.

The Importance of Website Traffic for a Business

Website traffic is a crucial metric for businesses that represents the number of visitors who are accessing your online content. Increased traffic enhances brand visibility and establishes a stronger online presence for your company. This enhanced exposure not only fosters brand recognition but also serves as a form of social proof, instilling trust and credibility among your target audience.

Beyond branding benefits, website traffic is a key driver for lead generation. More visitors mean a larger pool of potential leads, offering your businesses more opportunities to convert interested individuals into customers. The correlation between website traffic and sales is particularly pronounced for e-commerce businesses, where higher traffic levels contribute directly to increased revenue.

Website traffic also plays a crucial role in data collection and analytics. By analyzing user behavior, businesses can gain valuable insights that inform data-driven decisions. Moreover, search engines often rank websites based on traffic and relevance, making increased traffic beneficial for search engine optimization (SEO) and ensuring better visibility in organic searches.

Get SEO Help from the Experts

With help from Mentorcam, you can get website optimization insights from real SEO experts:

• Eli Schwartz is an SEO consultant with over a decade of experience helping top companies like Shutterstock, Wordpress, and Zendesk fuel growth. Previously, he spearheaded SurveyMonkey’s organic search strategy as the head of their SEO team.
• Asher King-Abramson is the founder of the growth coaching program Got Users, which is the driving force behind some of the fastest-growing Silicon Valley startups. He previously co-founded the growth program Demand Curve and has helped over 100 startups generate more than $100 million in total revenue.
• Justin Thomas is the founder of the content marketing agency JourneyEngine, where he’s spent over 15 years helping startups achieve sustainable, organic growth. He’s worked on hundreds of campaigns and driven millions of site visits for brands like Quantic, Valar Institute, and Workvivo.

Check out our full list of SEO and SEM experts to book a session with any of these advisors or to find another one who better suits your needs.

12 Tips to Drive More Traffic to your Website

Here are 12 of the best ways to drive more traffic to your website.

1. Create High-Quality Content that Engages and Informs

Content marketing is one of the best ways to attract visitors to your business's website. To create content that effectively drives traffic to your business website, it's crucial to provide real value to your audience. This means using a variety of content types that appeal to different preferences and learning styles. For example, writing informative and well-researched blog posts not only shares knowledge but also establishes your website as a trusted source in your industry.

Engaging content marketing articles exploring industry trends, analyses, or thought leadership pieces act as mental triggers, deepening your connection with your audience. These articles not only demonstrate your brand's mastery of important issues, strengthening your it's reputation, but also sparks customer interactions.

2. Use Keywords to Optimize Your Online Content

Integrating keywords strategically is a crucial part of making online content easier to find on search engines. This involves understanding your industry, how your audience behaves, and the workings of search engine algorithms.

To start, you need to do thorough keyword research. This means digging into the language used in your industry to find phrases, terms, and questions that matter to your audience. You should also be aware of different types of keywords. 

• Short-tail keywords, like "smartphones," are broad and capture a large audience, but they face a lot of competition. 
• Long-tail keywords, like "best budget smartphones for photography enthusiasts," are more specific, reaching a niche audience but with less competition.

Once you have your list of keywords, the next step is to smoothly include them in your content. This doesn't mean just stuffing them in anywhere. Instead, it's about integrating them naturally to ensure a smooth reading experience. For example, if you're writing a blog post about smartphone photography, you might include keywords like "smartphone photography techniques" or "capturing stunning photos with your phone" to boost your content's visibility on search engines.

All this effort leads to better visibility on search engine results, especially when people search for terms related to your keywords. By aligning your content with what your audience is looking for, you not only increase your website's visibility but also attract organic traffic—people genuinely interested in your content because it's relevant to what they're searching for.

3. Invite Relevant Guest Authors to Write Content for Your Site

Teaming up with respected industry experts or influencers is a smart move that can significantly boost your website's reach and impact. This collaboration strategy involves diversifying your content, expanding your audience, and establishing your brand as an authoritative voice in your industry.

This strategy is more than just swapping articles for convenience — it's a purposeful effort to benefit from the guest author's reputation and audience. For example, imagine partnering with a well-known cybersecurity expert to share a detailed analysis of the latest cyber threats. By featuring this guest post on your site, you not only get their expertise but also attract their audience.

Collaboration with experts and influencers can become mutually beneficial relationship. The guest author gets exposure to a new audience, and your website gets access to engaged and relevant readers. This not only expands your immediate reach but also creates opportunities for ongoing engagement as these new visitors explore the content on your site.

Plus, when a respected figure in the industry contributes to your platform, it's like a vote of confidence in your brand's credibility and authority. In our cybersecurity example, featuring content from a recognized expert boosts your website's reputation as a reliable source for cutting-edge insights and analysis in digital security.

4. Keep Your Content Updated

It’s very important to continually update your site’s content, going beyond basic maintenance to ensure ongoing relevance and competitiveness. Search algorithms are always evolving to give users the most relevant and up-to-date results. If your content stays static or becomes outdated, it might slip down in search engine rankings, making it less visible to potential audiences. Regularly going back to and refreshing your existing content is a proactive way to stay in line with search engine algorithms, making sure your website stays visible in search results.

Think about a tech blog that put out a detailed guide on the latest trends in artificial intelligence one year ago. In the fast-paced world of AI, where new developments happen every week, that guide would already be outdated. By updating the content with the latest advancements in your industry, you can make sure your content remains relevant for your target audience’s searches and up-to-date with the most accurate information.

5. Build Targeted Landing Pages

Creating specialized landing pages is a key part of digital marketing. These pages are designed to improve the user experience and boost conversion rates. The idea is to carefully make unique landing pages that match specific marketing campaigns, products, or services. This strategy is like using a precision tool to direct users to focused and relevant content, increasing the chances they'll engage with it and take the desired action.

For example, say you're running an online campaign for a new set of fitness equipment. Instead of sending people to the regular homepage, you'd create a special landing page just for this campaign. This page would have eye-catching pictures, detailed descriptions of the products, and maybe even exclusive deals for the fitness equipment. Visitors attracted by the campaign would be directed to a page that exactly matches their interest (fitness equipment). This focused approach not only makes the customer experience better but also makes it more likely they'll become repeat customers.

This approach works for individual products or services too. Think of an online store selling different skincare products. Instead of having one page for all skincare items, the store could use specific landing pages for product categories like "Anti-Aging Serums" or "Acne Solutions." If someone is looking for anti-aging products, they'd be directed to a page with info about the relevant items and maybe even some customer reviews.

6. Create an Effective Internal Linking Structure

Setting up a good internal linking system on your website is crucial for helping users find their way around and boosting your site's visibility on search engines. It's not just about connecting pages at random — it's about creating a digital path that makes it easy for visitors to explore your site efficiently. Internal linking also tells search engines about the structure and context of your content. Carefully planning these links is a powerful tool that improves the user experience and helps your site rank better in search engine results.

For instance, a site that covers a range of topics like tech, fashion, and lifestyle should have an internal linking structure that leads smoothly to related content, like an article about the latest tech trends linking to a specific gadget review. Setting up effective internal links not only makes it easier for potential customers to find products and content that match their interests but also helps to keep them on the site longer.

Your internal linking structure’s impact on SEO is also significant. Search engines use complicated algorithms to understand web content, and a well-designed internal linking system gives them important clues. 

The anchor text you use for your internal links also plays an important role. Instead of using generic phrases like "click here," using descriptive anchor text like "best smartphones of 2023" immediately tells users and search engines what to expect on the linked page. This not only makes the user experience better but also helps search engines understand the context of your content.

7. Promote Your Website with Digital Ads

Using digital advertising platforms is a smart way to get specific and targeted traffic to your website. Take pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, for example. These are like dynamic ads on search engines and social media that bring not just any traffic, but the right kind of traffic to your site. The trick is adapting and tailoring your ads to match the interests and behaviors of specific groups of people, making sure your content reaches the audience that matters most.

Let's say there's a travel agency wanting to show off its latest vacation deals. With a well-planned PPC campaign on Google, they can bid on words like "luxury beach getaways" or "adventure travel experiences." These ads pop up in search results when people are actively looking for info about these topics. By matching the campaign with what people are searching for, the travel agency makes sure their content gets seen by folks who are already interested in the kind of services they offer.

On social media, the targeting options get even more interesting. Picture an online store that sells eco-friendly fashion. Through a PPC campaign on Facebook, they can be super specific about who sees their ads — considering factors like age, location, gender, interests , and past behaviors. The result? Ads that are just right for potential customers who also vibe with the brand's values, making it more likely they'll check it out and maybe even make a purchase.

8. Create Visually Engaging Web Pages

Creating web pages that look good and are easy to use has a big impact on attracting and keeping visitors on your site. But creating a visually engaging site isn’t just about making things look pretty — it’s about crafting a great user experience from start to finish. This means not only having a good-looking interface but also making sure users can easily and enjoyably explore your digital space.

For example, a visually engaging page for a featured product should go beyond just displaying nice pictures of the product and also integrate complementary colors, fonts, and page layout. Using specific colors and fonts to cultivate a specific mood for your site is a great way to immerse your customers in the buying journey. Don’t just showcase the product — tell your brand's story with every design choice you make.

Another important part of user-friendly design is making sure the visuals work well on different devices. In many cases, your users might switch between a computer and a phone. A design that responds well to different devices ensures that everything still looks good and works well, no matter what device someone is using. This not only suits different user habits but also adds to the overall satisfaction and positive view of the brand.

9. Consider Local SEO

Local search engine optimization is a crucial strategy for businesses focusing on getting noticed by people in their area. This approach involves making sure your online presence is well-optimized for keywords related to your location. The goal is to not only show up prominently in local search results but also to establish a strong digital presence in your community. A local SEO strategy is very important if you want to attract customers nearby and be seen as a reliable local business.

Local SEO is all about using location-specific words throughout your content. Imagine a small bakery in downtown Boston that wants more local attention online. Instead of just using generic terms like "artisanal pastries," the bakery should use words like "best bakery in downtown Boston.” This way, when people around the area search for bakeries online, search engines know to include the bakery in their local search results.

But local SEO isn't just about words on your site. Correct listings on online directories and business listings is another key to local visibility. For example, making sure your bakery is on platforms like Google Business Profile, Yelp, and local chamber of commerce directories not only makes your business appear more reputable but also improves the chances of your site showing up in local search results.

10. Include Video Content

Using video content strategically is another powerful way to grab people's attention and get them to spend more time on your business's website. The key to incorporating video content is understanding that people like videos that are immersive and easy to share. For example, an online platform that teaches languages could make video lessons that offer viewers some quick, shareable language-learning tips and encourage them to check out the site for more lessons. This helps to spread the word about the business and bring more traffic to the website.

Live video streaming is another way to connect with audiences in real-time. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram let businesses go live, like a fitness brand doing live workout sessions or Q&A sessions with experts. This kind of interaction feels immediate and real, making viewers want to check out the business's website for more resources, info, or exclusive offers mentioned during the live session.

Using storytelling in video content is a powerful way to make an emotional connection with the audience. For example, a travel agency could create videos that tell stories about travelers, their experiences, and how their journeys changed them. This narrative approach doesn't just grab attention — it also makes viewers remember the brand, making them want to visit the website for more stories, travel guides, and booking info.

11. Send Promotional Emails that Link to Your Site

Using email marketing strategically is a powerful way to strengthen relationships and bring targeted traffic to your website. This means carefully creating email content that goes beyond just promotions, making campaigns that connect with your audience and encourage them to check out the stuff on your website. By putting links in these emails, businesses not only increase engagement but also act as guides, leading recipients straight to the website for a deeper dive.

The key to using promotional email marketing campaigns is knowing that email marketing is a direct and personal way to communicate with your audience. Imagine an online fashion store; they can make email campaigns that not only show off the newest products but also share fashion tips, styling guides, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. By offering more than just promotions, the email becomes a digital hub that makes people want to click through and explore the content on the website.

Smartly dividing subscribers into groups within email campaigns makes sure the content fits their interests. For example, a tech blog can sort subscribers based on what they like—maybe software development, gadget reviews, or coding tutorials. Then, future email campaigns can feature content and links that match the specific interests of each group, making the content more relevant and increasing the chances of people clicking through to the website.

Including calls-to-action (CTAs) in email campaigns acts like a guide, leading recipients to specific parts of the website. Picture an online bookstore; they can create an email campaign with a CTA like "Explore Our Bestsellers." Clicking on that CTA takes people directly to the relevant section on the website, making the transition from email engagement to website exploration smooth.

Personalizing email campaigns goes beyond just using the recipient's name; it means tailoring content based on what they've done on the website before. For instance, an e-learning platform can send targeted email campaigns to users who are interested in specific courses or learning paths. By including personalized recommendations and links to related content, the email becomes a dynamic tool that not only gets people interested again but also guides them back to the website for more learning.

12. Optimize Your Site’s Technical Performance

The technical details of your website have a big impact as well. Your site’s technical performance not only dictates how people experience your site but also plays a big role in where it shows up in search engine results. Technical site optimization involves carefully maintaining and improving your site’s technical components to ensure it runs smoothly and provides a positive experience for users.

One of the most crucial parts of technical optimization is making sure your site has fast loading times. In an age where everyone is used to instant access to information, the speed of your website matters a lot. For example, an online store that optimizes its images, uses efficient coding, and takes advantage of content delivery networks (CDNs), could improve its page loading speed and gain an edge over competitors who have not optimized their sites.

Another important aspect of technical optimization is making sure your site functions well on different types of devices. The user experience should remain consistent whether someone is using a computer, tablet, smartphone, or any kind of internet-enabled device.

Security is also a big deal. Users care a lot about online safety, and search engines prefer secure websites. For example, an online store that ensures secure, encrypted connections for its shoppers not only builds trust but will also likely see a boost in search engine rankings.

Drive More Site Traffic with Help of a Mentor

By implementing the 12 tips outlined in this guide, you can increase your brand's visibility and set the stage for sustained growth and engagement. Remember, driving website traffic isn't always about numbers — it's often about finding ways to connect with your audience and attract customers who will become loyal, long-term buyers.

For more tips like these, check out our list of advisors who have real experience building their own successful ventures. You can get insights about how to get traffic to your website that are not only based on real-world experiences but also tailored to your specific needs.