Traffic Strategy

[Tony Hogan]

What do you think is the best Internet traffic Strategy?

[Money 4 Jam]

There are many ways to drive traffic to your site, though you have to be sure that the traffic is targeted to what you are providing. I would recommend that you leave superior comments on sites that relate to yours with links to your site, and also participate in relevant forums. (The key being quality comments and advice.)
Social networking is probably the most popular source of driving internet traffic – Facebook and Twitter are extremely popular, as is YouTube. Twitter is terrific if you follow members of similar niche then they will want to see who is following them and in turn check out your site.
Of course you could pay for advertising, either online or through different types of media, though I love things that save money, hence the reason I started my blog Money 4 Jam

[Tips for Website Design]

There is a very big discussion at Webmaster World about a Google ranking experiment that was conducted if you are interested. Maybe a little off topic but relevant if you want to make money from your website.

http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/3889779.htm

It has generated a lot of discussion there.

[Tony Hogan]

nteresting article. I've had a dig around and I can't find much about either of the sites. I question whether they have just spammed the discussion board trying to flog widgets, I'm wondering if you have any more info.

Here is a site that belongs to the person who posted

http://www.nakedcompensation.org/

Tips for Website Design said:

There is a very big discussion at Webmaster World about a Google ranking experiment that was conducted if you are interested. Maybe a little off topic but relevant if you want to make money from your website.

http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/3889779.htm

It has generated a lot of discussion there.

It has generated a lot of discussion there.

[Pip Cleary]

The million dollar question Internet Net traffic. We all want it but how do we get it? The idea of designing a fancy website is all well and good but if nobody sees it, it is of little value.
To tap into traffic l think it is vital to start with your research. Is anybody interested in what you are doing/promoting? Do you have a market? If there is no market obviously you'll have no traffic!
Once you have established your target market, you can then ponder where they "hang out" on the internet. If you can begin to answer this question you can begin to pin point where to target in order to entice your audience to your site.
Do your target audience hang out at the Byron Bay Markets? Quite possibly Byron Bay MarketsCome and take a look around!

[Fiona J Munro]

I know as much about internet traffic as any novice, but I wanted to say "Good on you Pip, for getting out there in the community and making a name for yourself. You're an inspiration to commitment and having a go". I was excited to see that you are helping to promote the Byron Markets. My husband and I have had a stall there for 21 years and we have seen it grow from strength to strength. It has many unique items and a great atmosphere for a family day out.
We have seen a lot of traffic hanging out at the Byron Markets for years.
Good luck with the research and hopefully you'll make millions
Fiona J

[Kier]

I have avoided to much networking and socialising in the past as I thought it was taking away time from me posting content. Initially I found I recieved a few visits from my networking efforts but never really kept it up. Now my blog is getting to a reasonable size, I can relax a bit and am going to spend more time on the networks. It will be interesting to see if it makes a substantial difference to my traffic. It's a definate for me that content = traffic. Socialising is much more fun, but is it as productive. I'll soon find out.

[Vanessa Bonnette]

Gain Maximum Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimisation (SEM/SEO) exposure for your Business.
Research is consistently revealing that the fastest and most efficient way to increase exposure for your business is linking to websites that implement SEM and SEO services in various facets.

The main role of B2B connections is to link for information exchange and networking, yet it’s also a very cost effective and valuable method of increasing traffic flow and generating business. However, B2B transactions differ from consumer transactions because they are relationship based, not product based. In this way customer service and website features are an important focus for the potential ‘connection.’ The process of connecting can take more time due to assessing the benefits and features offered – it is rarely a rush decision.

While researching this topic I found a free report - “The Role of Search in Business to Business Buying Decisions” in which 1500 US participants responded to a 40 question survey. The survey findings were then pre-tested and implemented. You can download the entire report. Some of the finds were -

• When making purchases 93.2 percent said they would research online.

• 95.5 percent of participants indicated that they would use a search engine for research.

• 63.9 percent chose search engines over consumer review sites, e-commerce sites, manufacturer’s sites, and industry portals.

• 86.9 percent of participants said they would visit sites after visiting initial host sites.
The study identified several conclusions:
• SEO/SEM plays a dominant role in purchases.

• Search engines are used as the primary tool for researching products and services.

• Google is the preferred search engine.

• Research often takes place one month before the purchase.

60 percent click on the first 3 sites listed.

• Users decide in seconds which listings to click on.

With the majority of traffic originating from search engines, it is more important than ever for business owners, marketers and wholesalers to ensure that their websites are listed broadly for maximum exposure. Priority positioning equals excellent results!

7 Benefits of Linking to SEO/SEM optimised Websites -

1. The traffic is highly targeted. Any potential buyers who find you via B2B search engines are looking for your specific products and services - they are ‘open’ to your marketing message.

2. It’s non-intrusive. Online searching offers a user-friendly tool for the consumer. Compared to watching TV or reading magazines, newspapers etc where ads dominate the mind and force their attention on you - online searching assists the user. Consumers are actively seeking your products, services or information and are happy to be directed to your site.

3. Directory Use. Most visitors use Directories to make decisions – they’ll compare and click on a listing rather than search the net endlessly. Since they are often motivated to buy, they will click your site and explore your products and services.

4. Free and special offers are great attention grabbers for consumers. Listing free offers and specials in your Directory Listing generates an immediate click response.

5. List multiple products to attract attention. Presentation can play a part in the decision making process. Showcase your best products and services with attractive images and logos.

6. Editorials and articles can be ‘spidered’ by search engines. Websites which utilise SEO/SEM optimisation submit the authors’ details to generate traffic to the site.

7. List your business in multiple SEO/SEM Directories to give you maximum exposure for minimum cost.


Vanessa J. Bonnette - Business Promotion & Advertising Expert - www.new.net.au

[Administrator]

Thanks for your detailed response Vanessa

Tony

Vanessa Bonnette said:

Gain Maximum Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimisation (SEM/SEO) exposure for your Business.
Research is consistently revealing that the fastest and most efficient way to increase exposure for your business is linking to websites that implement SEM and SEO services in various facets.

The main role of B2B connections is to link for information exchange and networking, yet it’s also a very cost effective and valuable method of increasing traffic flow and generating business. However, B2B transactions differ from consumer transactions because they are relationship based, not product based. In this way customer service and website features are an important focus for the potential ‘connection.’ The process of connecting can take more time due to assessing the benefits and features offered – it is rarely a rush decision.

While researching this topic I found a free report - “The Role of Search in Business to Business Buying Decisions” in which 1500 US participants responded to a 40 question survey. The survey findings were then pre-tested and implemented. You can download the entire report. Some of the finds were -

• When making purchases 93.2 percent said they would research online.

• 95.5 percent of participants indicated that they would use a search engine for research.

• 63.9 percent chose search engines over consumer review sites, e-commerce sites, manufacturer’s sites, and industry portals.

• 86.9 percent of participants said they would visit sites after visiting initial host sites.
The study identified several conclusions:
• SEO/SEM plays a dominant role in purchases.

• Search engines are used as the primary tool for researching products and services.

• Google is the preferred search engine.

• Research often takes place one month before the purchase.

60 percent click on the first 3 sites listed.

• Users decide in seconds which listings to click on.

With the majority of traffic originating from search engines, it is more important than ever for business owners, marketers and wholesalers to ensure that their websites are listed broadly for maximum exposure. Priority positioning equals excellent results!

7 Benefits of Linking to SEO/SEM optimised Websites -

1. The traffic is highly targeted. Any potential buyers who find you via B2B search engines are looking for your specific products and services - they are ‘open’ to your marketing message.

2. It’s non-intrusive. Online searching offers a user-friendly tool for the consumer. Compared to watching TV or reading magazines, newspapers etc where ads dominate the mind and force their attention on you - online searching assists the user. Consumers are actively seeking your products, services or information and are happy to be directed to your site.

3. Directory Use. Most visitors use Directories to make decisions – they’ll compare and click on a listing rather than search the net endlessly. Since they are often motivated to buy, they will click your site and explore your products and services.

4. Free and special offers are great attention grabbers for consumers. Listing free offers and specials in your Directory Listing generates an immediate click response.

5. List multiple products to attract attention. Presentation can play a part in the decision making process. Showcase your best products and services with attractive images and logos.

6. Editorials and articles can be ‘spidered’ by search engines. Websites which utilise SEO/SEM optimisation submit the authors’ details to generate traffic to the site.

7. List your business in multiple SEO/SEM Directories to give you maximum exposure for minimum cost.


Vanessa J. Bonnette - Business Promotion & Advertising Expert - www.new.net.au

[Mark Oliver]

I guess that depends on your website and the topic of your business.

I'm working with accommodation suppliers: motels, B&B's, backpackers, etc. through my business (Web Reservation Systems) These businesses have a locality that is the core product they sell. So, I am finding that the best options are to make sure the website is optimized with keywords related to the location and product (followed by Business Name and Branding). Hopefully, the website allows you to control your page titles, and upload new pages easily. Then, you can make a number of pages that micro focus on different keyword combinations.

You need to make sure you have a keyword strategy with your pages, which can be a very natural - but not something that can be neglected. Recently, someone told me they wanted to create a website called Byron something (won't mention names). Then you ask yourself, how much are they hurting themselves by not saying Byron Bay something? They assume that everyone just knows it is Byron Bay, so they shorten the name to just 'Byron'. I think that is a really big mistake.

Then to update details in Google's Local Business Centre, and some other locality search directories like www.Aussieweb.com.au, look for the local directories and services specific to that area and get listed, perhaps add listings to wiki sites like www.wikitravel.org.

Do all of that and you'll start to see in a relatively mid to low competitive market that you're on the first page of google - especially with the Local Business Centre update that affects Google Maps.

And then, just try to do a little bit from time to time. Perhaps make a YouTube video and link it to your website, join a group like Bling @ Ning and mention you're doing a new blog (http://motelwebsitedesign.com.au).

After you've done all the free stuff, you may still find that you need to do some paid advertising and even buy some links, but I tend to stick with the free stuff. I also do a bit of Pay Per Click, but find that it always just seems to break even between what I spend and what I make - so that has never been very encouraging.

[Tony Hogan]

Mark

Thanks for the feedback. Some great ideas there Byron Something, that idea can be extended a little. I have always recommended typos as a great way to pick up the dyslexics and fast typists. There are numerous left of center strategies , like optimising side bars and posting publicly at various social network shoutboxes, some ideas are hilarious. You might consider adding your blog to Australian Blogs. The link buying is a little bit of a no no these days.

Mark, you might consider importing your blog feed into to here and drag and drop the feed to the centre see Tony Hogan

There is also a Twitter feed app you can install and pull the feed of a twitter account. You can access it by clicking on the 'Add Profile App' link and install the app. then you add the feed and drag it to where you want. Recently I've bee n experimenting with Tweet Meme, useful, I've noticed that I've picked up some Twitter followers since adding it. The power of Twitter for me is more about feeding the RSS across various websites. If you do some simple posts on your ning profile and it will feed out through the feeds on various sites across the web.

Up until recently, I've limited sign up .here because we are still testing. I have about 30 or so people to bring in here in a few weeks and we'll target a few topics and look at ways of grouping skillsets under categories. .

Regards Tony

[Sarah Allan]

Tony - this is an area of huge interest to me and one that I am learning and researching myself.
I am experimenting with my husband's website Active Body Therapies - he is a sports massage therapist based at Miami on the Gold Coast. We have submitted his site to heaps of directories mainly (health related and location related). This coupled with basic keywords has helped him achieve a fairly good ranking on Google. I would recommend adding a Google map where appropriate also which also helps. As you can see, nothing fancy but still effective. We haven't paid for any online advertising at this stage. I will be working on this site in the future to improve traffic including looking at introducing social networking, increasing reciprocal links and reworking page content for keywords.

[Tony Hogan]

Sarah, Google Maps are great, probably the best LOCAL tool to use.

When you get a Blog submit to Australian blogs dot com / get your category right

Sarah Allan said:

Tony - this is an area of huge interest to me and one that I am learning and researching myself.
I am experimenting with my husband's website Active Body Therapies - he is a sports massage therapist based at Miami on the Gold Coast. We have submitted his site to heaps of directories mainly (health related and location related). This coupled with basic keywords has helped him achieve a fairly good ranking on Google. I would recommend adding a Google map where appropriate also which also helps. As you can see, nothing fancy but still effective. We haven't paid for any online advertising at this stage. I will be working on this site in the future to improve traffic including looking at introducing social networking, increasing reciprocal links and reworking page content for keywords.