Are You Getting Enough Traffic?
Is Your Traffic Jammed?
Have you tried to drive traffic to your blog or website and for some reason the only result is just a sprinkle of visitors or perhaps even worse?
Does it seem like all your efforts look like your traffic is jammed up somewhere..as it’s not getting to your site?
For this post I want to keep things simple because I like simple things as there is more chance you will actually do some of the things I recommend here.
The other day I read that most successful online marketers know and only expect <10% of the people who actually buy their products, will ever properly implement them.
Most do not put any effort into applying what they have just purchased, irrespective of the price, as all too soon they are infatuated by the next “Big Thing or shiny object” that grabs their opportunistic attention.
Getting Traffic is SIMPLE but…..
There is an endless supply of traffic just waiting to be discovered! Yet for so many people their hopes and dreams of success online perish when it comes to traffic. You may have the most beautiful and stunning website but if no one finds it the whole project collapses and your dreams of success turn into pain, anger, frustration and finally failure.
This post will give you a guaranteed solution to any pain and frustration you have about traffic generation…so read on.
So in the spirit of simplicity (Hint: don’t just read this post, do something with the info you get) traffic can be broken down into three main categories.
Traffic you Buy
This is all about what is referred to as PPC (pay per click) where you buy traffic at a cost per click. This form of paid advertising is a very fast way to drive traffic to a relatively new site. And if you do it properly, you’ll earn more than you spend and generate lots of visitors to your site.
The key is using the right key words in your advertising AND to calculate the “lifetime value of your visitors.” Getting traffic or visitors in one thing but converting them in a completely different story.
The biggest factors that impact on how many of your visitors you can convert into customers is:
- Perceived value of what you are offering
- Scarcity or fear of loss if no action is taken
- Trust and the associated feelings of security present before taking an action
So if you are just starting up with little or no reputation or market credibility then let’s assume we use a $1 value per visitor. I calculated this based on 1% conversion rate on a $100 product or two $50 products.
So, as long as the money you are spending on pay per click campaigns to acquire visitors is less than the lifetime value of your visitors, you will make a profit.
BUT be careful to closely monitor your data as things change quickly and especially if you do not know exactly what you are doing – and if this is the case it can also be VERY expensive!
Traffic you Borrow
If you have researched your particular niche then you will now know the major competitors in your market place. Hopefully you did find competitors because if there aren’t any then it most likely there are no buyers there either.
These competitors are going to become your best mates when it comes to driving traffic to your website or blog. For example, by simply interviewing one or two of them you can create your own product and have them promote your product to their lists.
Other ways to “borrow” traffic is to create an affiliate program for your product on Clickbank. There are thousands of affiliates on Clickbank who are always looking for new products to promote to their lists. The same applies to the Warrior Forum – look in the Warrior Special Offers segment to see how others are promoting their products.
Another type of very powerful “borrowed” traffic is Integration Marketing. You can do this when two people agree to be partners in agreeing to add links/banners to each others sites, especially on their “thank you” pages.
What about writing a guest post for someone’s blog? A lot of webmasters are always looking for good content for their site, so offer to write a post for them for free on the condition that they give you a link back to your site.
Partners can also agree to email out to their lists an offer from the other partner and in so doing actually they both build their list sizes – this is called Adswaps.
Traffic you Create
This mainly refers to getting free traffic from adding valuable comments on other peoples’ blogs which not only result in the blog owner reciprocating but also all the readers of that particular blog see the value you added and they will come and check out what you have to offer on your blog. Now that’s pretty simple isn’t it. But it does take time and effort to build these back links and create traffic.
However, if you have a website then the search engines like Google and other online sites are the ways for you to create lots of free, continuous traffic.
Search Engine Traffic Basics
By using targeted keywords and getting as many quality back links as possible from other highly ranked web sites the objective is to get your site “seen” by having it on the first page of Google. To do this you need to optimize your web pages.
I am not going to cover the topic of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in this post but if you would like more information on this important, yet complex topic, let me know in your comments below.
The key is to target specific “long tail key words” (e.g. “handmade Thai silk fabric”) that are not as competitive (<20,000 competing pages) as the more generic keyword (e.g. “Thai silk”) but still have good search volumes (at least 250 per month).
Then to write a web page or blog post on each of your long tail key words ensuring that you use the key phrase in your title, in the first and last paragraph of your content as well as sprinkling them throughout your content being careful not to exceed using them more than once per 100
words.
Traffic comes in all sizes, makes, models and forms so you cannot be all things to all people. Remember that you are talking to a particular niche of people who have particular needs and problems. So make sure you write content for the reader and not just for the Search Engines.
The content should be relevant and give people EXACTLY what they are looking for.
Content is information in a packaged format so it could be an article, audio,
slide show, video, blog post, web page, eBook or even a classified advertisement.
Leverage for Success
The smart thing to do is to leverage these things. For example, if your content is a video then you can strip out the audio for an MP3 and/or have the video transcribed into an article or series of article or a report or an EBook; use as a blog post or a forum post or package the articles into a pdf file as a free giveaway.
Or if all this sounds too much why not simply convert your articles into audio files and upload them to podcast directories?
One of the very best ways to research what may be your best long tail key words for your particular niche is to use Micro Niche Finder and Market Samurai – used together you will easily be able to laser target high-traffic, high-profit, low-competition niche markets with unbelievable accuracy.
By using these tools we got our Thai silk website on page one of Google for five of our main key word phrases – resulting free traffic in excess of 420
visits per day.
Avoid All This Traffic Pain and Stress
These are the three main categories of traffic BUT there is so much more you need to know about this topic. This post just scratched the surface and hopefully gave you some ideas and incentive to pursue the critical issue of “Traffic Generation” further.
If this all sounds too much and you are still stressed out about just how in the heck can I get my share of the traffic pie…..then I can totally understand.
So if you feel that way, then let me help you right now.
A Guaranteed Solution to All Your Traffic Woes
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These tutorials are broken down into monthly modules to ensure you avoid the dreaded confusion resulting from information overload. Each module contains a video that teaches you step-by-step every little nuance of a specific traffic strategy PLUS and MP3 audio from the video AND a pdf transcript.
There is absolutely nothing left out about traffic and your training is quite simply (there’s that word again) ethically stealing the little known traffic strategies of the best internet marketers in the world.
I can hold my hand on my heart and vouch for this incredible program because I was lucky enough to completed this very same training.
So do not leave this post without checking out this superb Internet Traffic Coaching program – it will turn your business and life around.
Now It’s Your Turn
As always I appreciate your feedback. When you discuss traffic in a blog post it’s a bit like trying to squeeze the Constitution onto a postage stamp! I will cover other traffic sources like forum, article and video marketing, community and bookmarked traffic in my next post but to me they are part of the three main categories of traffic.
So for sure there will be items I have overlooked so please add it to my post in your comments. Do you agree with these three traffic categories? What success and difficulties have you had with driving traffic?
In my next post I want to share with you a simple yet very effective “7 day traffic plan”
But for now do yourself a VERY BIG FAVOR and click Your Internet Traffic Coaching link to your guaranteed traffic success
Related posts:
Hi Peter,
I actually stay away from PPC but have tried PPV instead as the only means of paid traffic. Lead Impact PPV traffic is real cheap to date. I rely on them to test a niche to see if I can get a sale. If so then I focus on it the organic way after.
Guest posting is definitely something I plan to look at. I have read about many bloggers who have had good success with this and helped them build a list faster.
With a steady natural growth of inbound contextual linking on “handmade Thai silk fabric”, you will eventually get traffic on “Thai silk”.
Well done in using your contextual linking on this post. Very well balanced with the content. I remember an old post you had about video software resources where you had way too many such links. You are putting your SEO back on track.
Louis
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Peter Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Hi Louis,
Many thanks for the very constructive feedback. Slowly, slowly I am coming to grips with the issue of SEO for my blog.
Actually we are ranking on page 2 of G for the precise term “thai silk” and that’s against all the big players in the industry who have a significant advantage over us re website longevity – most are more than 10 years and we are just entering our 2nd year – so we aim to catch them using other SEO techniques.
Wish I knew just how to do the same with my blog but slowly, slowly!!
Thanks again Louis
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LOUIS Reply:
July 15th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Hi Peter,
Wow. Congrats on this achievement for “Thai Silk”. With some extra inbound linking from the right sources, you should able to go on page 1. I have not looked at the top 10 when saying this. But something you can consider doing to go that next step on this phrase. Just apply the same principles at this blog and it will get there in terms of natural traffic.
Louis
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Peter Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Hi Louis,
Thanks mate but it’s not that easy to apply to my blog just yet.
I need to focus on exactly what my blog key words should be and that will be determined when I finish my research re exactly what niche I want to focus my blog on. But this all takes time and I now understand that with Google any rapid link building exercises may not be viewed as “natural growth” and could be penalized – so slowly, slowly goes my little blog train!
I think that you have done a good job of covering the basics of traffic. But the way that I get most of the traffic for my business is from forums that relate to my products. Just something that you might want to add. I also am getting more organic traffic from Google, as my product is getting high ranking for its terms.
Blessings, Raven.
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Peter Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 11:49 pm
Hi Raven,
You are absolutely correct – forums are a really great source of traffic but in this post I was just trying to generalize all the various traffic sources into 3 simple groups. Forum traffic for me fits into “Traffic you Create” and I will give some more details on this in my next post.
The key question is for any form of traffic is HOW TO DO IT! So I will be covering, using forums for example, how to find the ones you need, what to do when you get there and more importantly, what not to do in any forum if you want to eventually use that venue to drive traffic to your blog or website.
Many thanks Raven for the comment and a reminder for me to make sure I cover this important traffic supply
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Peter,
I like the way that you have broken down the methods of getting traffic. Very easy to follow and understand. I see you’ve added more pictures too in your posts and I like that addition as well.
Thank you for your recommendations on the products and best wishes as you are moving forward really nicely. You will have that list built in no time at all!
Anna
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Peter Reply:
July 14th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Hi Anna,
This post was just trying to simply group or categorize traffic sources.
I wanted to do this before adding any further posts on traffic as I have found so many people totally fazed out with info overload on this topic.
Sure there’s lot to know ( and hundreds of books written on this topic) but the secret is to keep it simple, do one traffic source at a time and get that one moving BEFORE you move on to the next traffic source.
So many do not give themselves a chance as they just spend a minute period of time on one traffic source, don’t get an immediate response so they go and try another one. This just defeats the purpose as the secret is to have all sources of traffic (or the ones you prefer) working together in synergy to get the real explosions of traffic everyone is looking for.
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Hey Peter,
Awesome Post. Those are some great tips.
Images are great addition.
Looking forward to reading your “7 day traffic plan” Post.
Thanks for sharing this brilliant post.
~Dev
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Peter Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Hi Devesh,
I love the images too mate.
They all come from Flickr and that is a great resource for all types of images.
My “7 day traffic plan” post is coming soon!
Thanks for the great feedback
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Peter,
Mate this post is E P I C!
A lot of work went into this and I really appreciate the resource you have provided here.
I really liked the way you linked in your traffic course without it feeling pushy, and I am really looking forward to your 7 day traffic post too!
Thanks again for an awesome post Peter, all that from a small Thai Village hey, not bad.
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Peter Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 12:10 am
Hi Alex,
To get feedback like that from you has just made my day.
Actually my night as it’s just past midnight here and it’s time I hit the sack.
Whatever, it’s always nice to get an affirmation like that from someone like you mate.
Many thanks again, do check out my 7 day traffic post and coming soon, my new “Profitable List Secrets” ebook.
Cheers mate!
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Hi Peter,
Great post, kept it simple whilst still providing great content.
Same as Louis, guest blogging something I am definitely going to be looking at over the next few weeks. Just need to get my post count up a bit first.
Cheers
Simon
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Peter Reply:
July 18th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Hi Simon,
I have only done 2 guest blog posts before.
But the feedback from this post shows me that I better get my skates on and do a lot more to maximise the opportunities of this traffic strategy.
You raise and interesting point re “post count” – to me it’s not the number of posts you make but more the value you can give.
I also think that “blog hopping” or visiting other blogs and providing as much added value should NOT be for traffic driving purposes but more to encourage others to read your post and leave comments.
A busy post is an attractive post and will encourage more visitors and even more comments.
Having lots of feedback to a post for me means that you are providing value and at this stage of my online career path that’s exactly what my priority is – if I can establish a blog that is recognised for quality value content then the traffic and sales issues will take care of themselves. Well that’s my approach anyway!
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Simon Croft Reply:
July 20th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Hi Peter,
I meant more in the fact that if I was to guest blog, I wanted more material up so they had a better idea to the type of writer that I was and the value I could produce. I am the same, I will always go for quality over quantity. I am certainly not the type like over at problogger or shoemoney who seem to have ideas for everyday. Sorry if what I said was ambiguous. Reading it back, it certainly could appear that way.
I actually enjoy blog hopping, driving traffic this way is a secondary concern. You can learn so much from the styles of other blogs, the styles of writing etc as well as build up good rapports with the blog owners and readers. It is not a fast game afterall, it is all about building our online reputations, which is not going to happen overnight. As they say, slow and steady wins the race.
By the way, thanks for telling me about my Rss feed, got it fixed now.
Many thanks
Simon
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Peter Reply:
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Hi Simon,
Totally agree with you. There is just so much we can learn from visiting and adding value to others’ blogs.
The whole blogging community seems to have a real feeling of support for people who just make the effort to communicate and share.
Best wishes mate and thanks for the valuable feedback
Peter,
Nice post! You sure made a great points here. I’m sure almost all of us here can related ourselves to the traffic jammed you mentioned above. Generating traffic can be stressful in the beginning when you start out something new, I keep telling myself to take one step at at a time and focus on doing what I’m doing best. I agree, quality value content is the right approach to play with traffic.
Looking forward to your 7 days traffic plan. It’s sure been raining a lot here in Thailand!
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Peter Reply:
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Hi Justin,
Apologies for not replying earlier. Your original comment was in my spam area for some strange reason.
Anyway I found it and thanks for the great feedback. Yes we will all feel “traffic jammed” at one time or another.
Where in Thailand are you? Anywhere near the Cambodian border where we live?
You know the whole traffic thing is sometimes more in our heads than anywhere else.
All that is required is a little bit of success and then we build on that one step at a time – remember Alex mentioned to us many times that we build our lists one subscriber at a time.
Well I have accepted that and have re-planned my expectations re list building bench marks until I launch my new free ebook (which is called “Profitable List Secrets” by the way) next week.
Best wishes and again thanks
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Hey Peter,
There is great information in this post and you clearly brought out each point so there should be no confusion at all.
I think that one of the areas I will be addressing soon is more variety of advertising and perhaps forum posting to start off with.
Thanks,
Mike
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Peter Reply:
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Hi Mike,
I agree with you. I need to do more forum posting in the future but I want to focus on only 3 or 4 forums.
By keeping to a smaller number it will be easier to manage and keep up with posts and questions arising from our comments.
By best wishes mate and I’m on my way over to check out your latest post as the title fascinated me!
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Wow juicy informatin peter great stuff man thank you =D
This has covered some great know how about the diffent ways to get traffic and was very informative =]
must admit i really love your writting style it flows very well and makes somewhat difficult topics easier to understand ^_^
My favorite part of this whole article was leveraging your success to get this done quickly and efficiently i would highly reccommend traffic geyser whick automatically strips vidio to audio and markets it for you to popular site (Ex. Youtube metacafe etc)
wat do you think peter?
|Ashawndra Michelle|
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Hey Peter,
This is probably the biggest problem that most marketers face. I don’t think it’s the fact of traffic but more the targeting aspect. Anyone can run around all day getting traffic that is untargeted and then wondering why they are not making money.
At the end of the day it’s all about the keywords you target on how targeted the traffic you get.
Great post on traffic
Glyn
[Reply]
Peter Reply:
August 14th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Hi Glyn. Many thanks for your feedback. Actually the very best traffic are those who are not only targeted in our niche but they are already pre-deposed to our offer by the use of “buying” keywords. i learned this from experience with our Thai silk website. We were ranked high on page one of Google for the term “Thai silk” – make us all excited only to find that the vast majority of visitors were students looking for project material! By focusing more on keywords like “buy Thai silk” we have significantly improved the number of realistic buyers visiting our site. Interesting eh!
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Hi, have you had chance to check out market samurai yet? I bought it and I have to admit all I take advantage of it for is the rank checker
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Peter Reply:
August 14th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Thank you for your feedback and visiting my blog. I hope my future posts are also of real interest to you.
Best regards
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Hi Peter,
Hows Thailand.
This is a great post. Traffic is something we all struggle with. For me having a traffic plan, and sticking to it, is the way to go.
I totally agree in one of your answers here about blog hopping, build conversation, not just looking for traffic.
Pete
[Reply]
Peter Reply:
August 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Hi Pete. Planning is the key but it’s not always easy to implement unless we have the big picture correct.
This is what I addressed in my latest post. Have a look and tell me what you think. the link is:
http://www.peterbeckenham.com/internetmarketing/traffic-explosion-you-can-do-this.html
My best wishes Pete and thanks for the great feedback
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Great article, thanks for sharing this. I have subscribed to your RSS feed and am looking forward to reading more from you.
Keep up the good work and don’t stop posting please.
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Hey peter how have you been man,
Wildest thing! Tell me how i loved this entry so much that i had this pull to drop everything i was doing just to RE-READ that brilliant paragraph where you talked about leveraging your success
Gives me chills just thinking about how great a bit of info that really was for me n felt i had to let you and your readers know that your the real deal my friend
Talk to you soon man (Facebook all day!)lol
Ashawndra Michelle
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Peter Reply:
September 10th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Hi Ashawndra,
Thanks so much for the fabulous supportive comment – I am lost for words!!!
Leverage is the name of the game but to tell you the truth I still have to work on it every day – I have to make sure that I always remember to get others to help and grow with me.
My best wishes and thanks again
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~-: I am very thankful to this topic because it really gives great information .`-
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