Every website owner aims to attract more visitors to their site, but achieving this goal can be really challenging. Many find themselves stuck and unsure of which strategies to employ to see tangible results. From understanding search intent to making use of social media, there are simple and effective methods to draw more traffic. This guide outlines nine actionable ways to increase your website’s visits and improve your conversion rates.
1. Refresh Old Content
Based on a case study done by Single Grain, updating old blog posts with fresh content can increase organic traffic by up to 96%. That’s how beneficial it is. Your older content may still attract visitors, but it likely needs updates or revisions in order to remain relevant. The thing about refreshing content is that it involves more than just updating statistics. It means revising the text for any of the following purposes:
- Reflect current trends
- Fix broken links
- Optimize for mobile users
For instance, an old blog post on SEO tips from 2015 will need adjustments to align with this year’s best practices. Any reader who would see the year 2015 on your post will likely skip it as it would appear that your post may no longer be effective or relevant.
Regularly updating your content signals to search engines that your site remains active and provides current, valuable information. You should keep track of high-performing posts and give them a new spin to maintain their appeal. Make sure that you use tools to check your website traffic to identify which old posts continue to attract readers.
2. Prioritize the Search Intent
Knowing the search intent can dramatically influence how effective your content is at attracting visitors. When users search online, they have specific aims:
- Finding information
- Buying products
- Seeking entertainment
When you match your content to these intentions, you’re not only improving their user experience, but also getting a better chance of ranking higher in search engine results.
For instance, tools like the Google Search Console can reveal what users actually search for when they find your page. Knowing this helps you adjust your content to better meet their needs. Targeting the search intent involves analyzing the questions or problems that users are trying to solve and providing them with comprehensive answers or solutions.
Let’s say you’re writing a review about a Bluetooth headset, but the search console revealed that many of your visitors were looking for information about the battery life of that specific device. You can further improve the content by discussing the battery life in more detail so that you can provide them with the information they are looking for.
3. Target the Keywords Wisely
Keywords serve as the bridge between what people are searching for and the content you provide. The thing is, not every keyword will suit your website equally. The problem with high-volume keywords is that they are competitive and may not yield results as quickly as the niche-specific keywords do.
What you can do is mix short-tail keywords with the long-tail ones so that you can capture both the broad and highly targeted searches. For example, “shoes” is a short-tail keyword and “best running shoes for flat feet” is a long-tail type with more specific intent. You can use keyword research tools to find the best keywords for your website and improve the relevance and reach of your content. This will attract more visitors who are likely to benefit from what you offer.
4. Improve the Page Speed
Page speed directly affects both the user experience and your site’s search engine rankings. A slow website frustrates users and this may cause them to leave before fully interacting with your content. Your goal is to have any of your pages load within 2.5 seconds to maintain user retention and satisfaction.
Google’s PageSpeed Insights is a useful tool that can help in evaluating your website’s speed and it even offers tips for improvement. Remember: faster websites not only keep visitors longer, they also fare better in search rankings. Consider enhancing your site’s speed by:
- Compressing images
- Reducing server response times
- Using browser caching
Regularly check your website’s performance on various devices to make sure that they have consistent speed across the board.
5. Optimize the Internal Links
Internal linking helps search engines understand what your website’s structure and hierarchy are and this could also improve your site’s SEO. It also optimizes user navigation so that it will be easier for visitors to find related content. Make use of descriptive anchor texts to link to other pages on your site. The goal of this is to distribute link equity and improve the rankings of linked pages.
For example, if you have a blog post about “how to choose running shoes,” link it to another post about “best running shoe brands” or any post related to running shoes. This creates a comprehensive resource for your readers, while strengthening your site’s SEO profile. But don’t overdo it! Be cautious not to overload your content with links because this can appear spammy to search engines.
6. Build Backlinks
Securing high-quality backlinks from reputable websites significantly increases your own site’s authority and trustworthiness in the eyes of search engines. Your goal is to create content that others want to link to, such as in-depth guides, original research, and compelling infographics.
Networking with influencers in your industry can also lead to guest blogging opportunities and additional backlinks. For instance, writing guest posts for blogs with a large following introduces your content to a wider audience and may bring in new visitors. Just be sure that you aim for links from reputable, high-domain-authority sites to maximize the benefit. If you’re writing about gadgets or mobile devices, then it won’t be beneficial to get a backlink from a food blog or investment site.
7. Analyze Your Data and Metrics
Regularly analyzing your website’s performance data helps refine your strategies so that you know you’re on the right track. Google Analytics and Google Search Console can help in monitoring metrics like the following:
- User behavior
- Traffic sources
- Keyword success
Using these insights will allow you to make data-driven decisions so that you can optimize your content and marketing approaches based on what works and what doesn’t.
For example, if a particular blog post drives significant traffic, you might consider creating more content about similar or related topics. Also, identifying underperforming pages may help you understand what needs improvement..
8. Use Social Media
Social media platforms can drive significant traffic to your website when you use them effectively. You can start by identifying which platforms align best with your target audience. You can’t simply use Facebook, Instagram or X (Twitter) and expect good exposure. Be sure to create and share content that are tailored to each platform’s user base to maximize their interactions.
For example, visually appealing content works well on Instagram, while more detailed, informational posts might fare better when you post them on LinkedIn. You can also add social share buttons to your website so that it will be easy for visitors to share your content with their network.
Additionally, interacting with your audience by responding to their comments and messages can build a loyal following that regularly visits your site. You might also want to analyze your social media metrics to understand which types of posts perform best and then refine your strategy accordingly.
9. Answer Google’s People Also Ask
The “People Also Ask” section on Google presents valuable opportunities to feature your content prominently on search results pages. You can take advantage of this to identify commonly asked questions within your industry and create content that gives concise and clear answers. Doing this can increase your visibility and drive more clicks to your site.
If, let’s say, users frequently ask, “What is the best SEO strategy for beginners?” you can create a detailed blog post addressing this question. This will not only position you as an authority, but will also draw more traffic from those who are searching for these answers. Make sure that you regularly update this content to stay relevant in search queries.
Gaining more visitors starts with implementing the right strategies and continually assessing their effectiveness. Start applying these recommended tactics and watch your website’s traffic improve.
