10 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Site
I have been blogging for almost 6 months at this location. My traffic has increased tremendously. Sure, I am not where I would like to be. But one thing is for sure, I am not where I use to be. Increasing my traffic has taken dedication, work, patience and time.
First let me share with you a basic overview of my traffic sources, and then I will tell you what I have done to increase traffic to this site.
The statistics that I share with you are provided by Google Analytics. I do not include my visits to this site. You can block your IP address and leave your visits out of the statistics. If you don’t know how to do this, then check out this video by BizChickBlogs.
Traffic Source Overview for Aug 1, 2010 – Aug 31, 2010
All traffic sources sent a total of 1, 919 visits. Total traffic sources 97.
- Direct Traffic 10.94%
- Referring Sites 37.42%
- Search Engines 27.67%
- Other 23.97%
The top 5 sources of traffic are Google, Feedburner, Direct, Stumbleupon and RSS. Notice that my highest traffic source comes from referring sites. The top referring sites are Stumbleupon, Twitter, Facebook, blogs I write for, and You Tube.
Referring sites and search engines send me the most traffic.
Here are 10 ways you can increase your traffic
- Write quality content
- Post consistently
- Make sure keywords in headline are also in your article and tags.
- Utilize social media and social book marking sites.
- Build relationships with other bloggers
- Guest post on other sites.
- Comment on other blogs
- Join blog directory sites and blogging communities
- Join video sharing sites
- Patience, hard work and dedication
As I take a closer look at this data, there is more that I can do. For example, I can become more active on other social book marking sites. Upload videos to other video sharing sites.
Of course, I should write more quality content. One thing I have been doing is taking the search results from this site and coming up ideas for articles. That works, because if one person is searching for a topic, you know there are many more doing the same.
There are so many ways you can increase traffic to your site. You cannot sit around expecting people to magically appear on your blog. You must utilize as many traffic sources as possible. Now, go make it happen!
What are your most popular traffic sources?
If you like this post, leave a comment, ReTweet and share! Thank you!
Category: Blogging
Evelyn, you totally hit #1 correctly. Quality content is key. you can find fluff all over the internet, it is difficult finding the meat and potatoes.
Out of all the blogs/sites I’ve put together the #1 factor in driving traffic has been content.
Additionally, it is great that your traffic sources are fairly diverse. Having a single high traffic source sometimes is dangerous especially if you are running a business.
I am also somewhat of a metrics guy, so I like knowing if I am improving or not. I use Market Samurai (great tool, best money I’ve spent).
Anthony recently posted..Garlic Health Benefits
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Anthony,
Content is very important!
Thanks for sharing the Market Samurai information.
Take care,
Evelyn
[...] great place to share other people’s articles and sites that you like as well. You can also get targeted traffic from people who have similar interests to [...]
[...] me let you in on a little secret. In order to get traffic to your site, you have to put in some work. It doesn’t matter how many people you ask to for link exchanges, [...]
Thanks for the advice. Any help is great
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Ben,
Glad you found this post helpful!
Take care,
Evelyn
Great post. I will try some of these tips. Thannks!
bonnie recently posted..Self Esteem- Self Love- and Self Care
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks!
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn, thank you so much for this article, it has given me a call to action.
The tip that stood out for me was, ’Make sure keywords in headline are also in your article and tags’.
This is something I know I should be doing, but have not yet actively focused on it, until now! I will now be revisiting a number of my recent posts and start tweaking them and then any future posts will follow this tip.
This was such a helpful article.
Oh by the way, I followed you over here from Celebrate Life Blog.
Carole in the UK recently posted..Have You Checked Your Vision Lately
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Carole,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Your first comment…yay!
Glad you found this article helpful.
Wow..thanks for sharing how you found my blog..it is good to know that!
Take care,
Evelyn
[...] mentioned in my traffic article last week where most of my traffic comes from. Nothing has changed even after I have slacked up [...]
Hi Evelyn,
Those are some good stats.
My top sources are Google, direct, Yahoo, and Facebook. I haven’t tried Twitter yet. I have to educate myself on it first, I’m kind of apprehensive to test it :/
How frequently do you Tweet?
Since I’ve been online today I’ve had a bunch of hits to an old post, which was about a substance people should avoid. 50% of today’s visits so far. No comments, because I think, unfortunately people are shopping for this substance and probably don’t like my message.
Aaron recently posted..Labor Day Special Offers
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hey Aaron,
Thanks!
Your top sources sound pretty good! Let’s you know that people are searching finding you.
Twitter is a lot less personable than Facebook. I sometimes think I should be using Facebook more and I think that is what I’ll be really testing.
I try to Tweet everyday. When I post to my blog, I have it set where the post automatically goes to Twitter. Other than that, that’s pretty much all I do. I also share other people’s articles on Twitter too. Try to speak with some of my friends. I have a pretty good group of friends from the Blogger Luv Community and they have been very supportive in passing my Tweets along.
That could be the case about your article. Who knows?
Thanks for stopping by!
Evelyn
This post rocks, Evelyn! I learned loads.
Keep up the good work!
I must admit, that though I love blogging, I don’t “actively” and deliberately do much to increase my traffic. Though it hasn’t hurt me.
Jennifer Brown Banks recently posted..What Inspires You to Follow a Blog
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you much!
If we continue putting out good content, then the traffic will find us. Whatever you’re doing keep it up!
Always a pleasure to chat with you.
Take care!
Thanks, nice info & a very useful video from BizChickBlogs, I had no idea you could do exclude your own IP address from stats ( but have done it now!)
Cheers
Will
Will recently posted..Noaspa News – 01092010
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Will,
That’s good that you have done it. It is a very clear and easy tutorial to follow. Now you’re on your way!
Take care,
Evelyn
Woo awesome!!! simple and short thanks for sharing! umm …why slap the man in that picture tell him to go out there and look for traffic!!
take care.
samuel recently posted..Who Said You Can’t Make It In Life
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Samuel,
Thank you for for stopping by!
A great reminder that we have the power to act on our traffic flow and not just wait for it to appear. If something isn’t working, change the focus but great googly moogly, do something!
Clearly Composed recently posted.. Tuesday’s Thought
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Clearly Composed,
Absolutely!!! You made me (lol) with the great googly moogly bit, because it brought back memories of childhood.
“Do something”
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Take care,
-Evelyn
Another great way to get more traffic to your blog is by writing more posts about getting traffic to your blog. (lol)
As it turns out, this topic is ultra-popular with, well, just about everyone who blogs.
Write about topics that your target audience wants to learn about. Good stuff.
Kathy recently posted..Does That Blogger Know That You Like Them
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi KB,
I hear you! (lol) You are absolutely right.
Thanks for sharing and stopping by!
Evelyn,
I would probably flunk on social media issues. I do not do twitter, SU, del, digg as I have limited time to blogging and comment on blogs. I believe I am writing unique and good content, my traffic is growing, albeit slowly.
I wish I had more time to do it all. Great tips.
Preeti recently posted..Wisdom gained from our camping trip
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hey Preeti,
I totally understand. I think you should consider twitter. Because you can feed your blog post over to Twitter automatically without ever visiting. You can visit whenever you have the time.
As long as you are writing quality content and growing that’s all that matters. I know you’ve heard this quote before, “Slow and steady wins the race,” well that’s what comes to mind.
There is not enough time to do it all. Sometimes things have to wait. I look at it this way, there’s always tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Take care,
Evelyn
Twitter: CarolynAkens
says:
Evelyn this is great information! Thank you for always sharing. It feels good to be able to post again…I have been busy and definitely missed reading your blog which is always chocked full of very good info.
Carolyn recently posted..Organic Coconut Flour
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks!
I’m glad to see you back. Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Take care,
Evelyn
All very solid tips to build a strong foundation for your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Wayne Howard recently posted..11 Things I’ve Learned as a Blogger
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hey Wayne,
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Hi Evelyn,
Thanks so much for the info. It’s really helpful. I want to do my own blog and I’m in the phase of figuring out all the little details. I want to learn as much as I can before I start, so I can be prepared. I appreciate you passing your advice onto me, so I won’t have to learn all my lessons the hard way!
Cheers, Dandy
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Dandy,
You’re welcome! That’s great to know!
I think you are doing the right thing by getting things in order before you start. My motto is “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” Planning is always a good thing before you start any venture.
If I can do anything to help you, just let me know!
Take care,
Evelyn
Can you be more specific about What kind of blogging directory that work for blog?
Dana recently posted..3 Steps To Be Ready Fast for Email Marketing Venture By Using MailChimp
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
HI Dana,
There are many blog directories out there. Here is an extensive list of blog directories.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Take care,
Evelyn
Great information. It is important to understand the metrics of what drives people to your site so that you know the ways you can improve.
I particularly liked your linking of the way to block your own IP address. This is something that I did not know how to do, thanks!
Steve recently posted..Stupid Guest Post Authors Need Not Apply
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Steve,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
It really opened my eyes to what I should spend more time doing.
I’m glad you found the video helpful. I didn’t know about this either. When I found this video, I logged into GA while viewing the video and did what I had to do.
You’re welcome and take care!
-Evelyn
Excellent info. Evelyn. This is important because if we know what the options are, then we can test out different things and pay attention to the results via analytics, as well as our hearts. Some things will resonate with us and others will feel like a drag. Over time, we know which route is ‘our’ route and which roads are better left to other travelers.
I get my best traffic from StumbleUpon (even though I have no clue how it works!), Twitter, and various guest posting gigs. My search engine traffic is still only 7% of my overall traffic, but I haven’t done anything to improve things there. There is never any end of things to do, is there!?!?
Jean Sarauer recently posted..Making Your Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Jean,
Yeah, I realized that some social media and bookmarking sites are a waste of time. So, I have learned to spend my time promoting on the sites work and letting the others be. I’m playing around with delicious now and will see how that works. I haven’t the slightest clue!
I have no clue how Stumbleupon works either, but it is working well. I will be learning more about how it works.
Yep, there is always things to do!
Thanks for stopping by!
Take care,
Evelyn
very helpful information…thanks for sharing!
)
Michelle recently posted..Tomato Bruschetta & Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Twitter: evelyn_parham
says:
Hi Michelle!
Good to see you and thanks for stopping by!
I’m glad you found it helpful!
Take care,
Evelyn