5 Quick Tips To Get Website Traffic Fast!
Online, one of the most significant keys to success is getting website traffic. The more visitors you have, the better your sales and profits. Presumably you have a niche and you know your keywords, and regularly conduct keyword research to stay on top of what’s popular. Based on those assumptions here are five quick and easy tips to get website traffic fast!
Tip #1 Make sure you’re actually tagging your keywords.
Do you spend a lot of time optimizing your content and then neglect to tag them on your webpage? Tags are where search engines look and if there are no tags they’ll pass right by your web pages. Here’s a quick brief on tags.
There are a number of tag types including,
* Title tags. Title tags are quite possibly the most important place to situate your keywords. Here’s what they look like - <title>Primary keyword phrase here. </title>
Your title tag is where you place your primary keyword or keyword phrase. The sentence will describe your business in less than 90 characters.
* Header Tags. Header tags are next in order of importance to search engines. They’re ranked in order of importance and look like this - <h1>Primary and/or Secondary keywords here</h1>
The “1” designates this header as the most important header on the page.
* Meta Tags. Meta tags provide the small descriptive text found underneath the title tag on the search engine results page. Like title tags these should be kept brief, informative and up to date.
* Alt Tags. Alt tags are used to provide a text description of a graphic. Each graphic on your site should have a description and an alt tag.
Tip #2 Add content to your site regularly
Content is essential for traffic and a top search engine ranking. Content is what search engine spiders look for and index - without it there’s nothing to index or rank. Give visitors and search engines a reason to visit and index your site. Make a commitment to provide regular, optimized content and your traffic will soar.
Tip #3 Procure valuable and relevant incoming links
The more websites which link to your webpages the more valuable search engines perceive you to be, though not all links are created equal. Search engines give more leverage to links from sites which are popular and credible and from sites which are relevant to your website topic.
There are different types of links.
- A direct link looks like a basic website address, for example, www.yourwebsite.com
- A text link occurs when the webpage address is embedded in the text. Readers simply click on the link and are redirected to a new website page.
- If the link is to an internal web page, for example an article published on a website, rather than the home page, it is called a “deep link.”
You can encourage linking to your website by:
* Adding content to your site.
* Submitting to article directories.
* Publishing press releases.
* Blogging and participating in social networking forums, chat rooms and social networking sites.
Tip #4 Be Social!
Now more than ever before, internet marketing is about building a community. Whether you offer a forum on your website or you participate in social networking sites, social networking is a valuable traffic generating tactic. Sites like Facebook and Twitter can be powerful tools for generating links and traffic to your site – create a profile and then post comments, links to your site and ideas which generate conversation.
Get involved - many groups and forums are industry specific, find those which cater to your industry, and begin participating. Speak to and connect with a highly targeted audience.
Tip #5 Advertise for more exposure and traffic
Advertising, when handled strategically, can be used to promote your content and products or services. PPC advertising is often the tool of choice because you control the advertising budget on a daily basis and have the tools to test and track your advertising efforts. Once you’ve honed your PPC ads the return on investment can be phenomenal in terms of traffic and purchases.
For maximum results, create a traffic and SEO strategy. Outline your plan and your goals and then take the necessary action. Take advantage of these five traffic and search engine tips to boost your business.
Who Do You Send Press Releases To? Creating Your Media List
Create and Build a Media List
You need to build a media list and it will likely take some time to get a really good list going. If you’ve just begun building your media list, start locally and small. And start online so you can build traffic to your website.
Local and/or small media are most likely to be interested in your story and it's the perfect way to hone your press release writing skills. Besides, a lot of the larger media outlets scan the smaller outlets to find stories to pick up. Also, as you gain experience and build-up your portfolio, you can work your way up to bigger media outlets.
Try newspapers, trade journals, topic specific magazines, websites, radio shows, television show ~ whoever would be interested in your topic.
Always remember to get specific contact information for your press release when possible. A release addressed to a particular person will receive a lot more attention than a general release sent to the media outlet. You’ll also want to update your list frequently as staff may often change.
Familiarize yourself with the editor or reporter's work. Find out the method she prefers to receive press releases in. Don't automatically send them by email – some will prefer mail or fax. Find out their deadlines.
If you are sending your release by email, never send an attachment. Copy and paste your release into the body of the email. Never send a bulk email. Address emails individually.
How to Build Your Distribution List:
- For your local media, check the publication or their website for information on how to submit a release. Find out the precise editor or reporter you should be addressing your release to. You may have to pick up your phone to get this information or hire an assistant to do the calling and information gathering for you.
- Do a search on your favorite search engine for websites in your industry that might just be interested in running your story.
- Here's a few websites to help you build your list:
- Media Post http://www.mediapost.com - extensive directory for US media
- NewsLink.org http://www.newslink.org - directory for a number of countries
- ABYZ News Links http://www.abyznewslinks.com - directory for a number of countries
Please note: If you choose a free resource to build your list, realize that the information may not always be completely up-to-date. A paid resource will often provide more current information and if they don’t, ask them for a refund!
4. Submit your site to a few online newswires and news websites. A number of them require payment, but here are some, both free and paid.
- PR Web http://www.prweb.com - They do a great job, but no longer offer a free service.
- PressMethod.com http://www.pressmethod.com - free press release distribution center.
- PRFree.com http://www.prfree.com - free press release distribution
- 24-7PressRelease.com http://www.24-7pressrelease.com - free service. You can also contribute funds to receive better placement for your release.
Please note: Don’t spend a lot of time submitting to a bunch of free online places. The exposure will be limited, so it’s not something you should focus solely on.
Extra Exposure from Google & About.com with Your Press Releases
Google.com often takes press releases from PRWeb.com. You may be buried in their news section, BUT if someone searches for keywords on Google related to your press release topic…your release may be featured at the top of the results.
About.com also scours press releases to add to its various sections and you might just find yourself listed without submitting to them. If you're not familiar with About.com, they are a huge website with information on just about every topic there could possibly be. If you think your press release should be listed, contact the editor of the appropriate section and suggest your press release for inclusion...or you can even just ask them to list your website as a resource.
More Potential Resources to Get Media Outlet Ideas
Magazines, Newspapers & Radio Programs: You can also search places like magazines.com and newspapers.com for ideas on target publications. The focus of these websites is not to build a media list, so you'll have to do some digging for the appropriate contact information. Still, you might find publications you won't find in the other resources.
http://www.radio-locator.com (radio stations with websites)
http://www.npr.org/stations (radio stations in the U.S.)
Internet Radio: Although, the distribution is probably not as great as with mainstream radio, you may want to search targeted programs on Internet radio. Here are a few places to look:
Websites: Do a Google search for websites listed for your target keywords. Find websites that tend to be informational and like to deliver content to their visitors. You can also search directories like:
Next week find out what to do when a reporter calls!
Step by Step – Using Press Releases To Attract Free (or close) Publicity
Welcome to a short series about using press releases to increase your website traffic! What is a press release?
A press release is a concise, informative announcement distributed to the press. Getting mentioned in the press is often seen as one of the most valuable forms of attention and a great marketing strategy if you can manage it.
A press release is how we try to make the journalist’s job easier by giving them a ready-made story. If they can pick it up and run with it without too much difficulty and produce an interesting, informative story, then they just might do that. Note: This is in no way a guarantee of free press.
Proper Press Release Format
Your press release should follow a specific format and include a few key components. We’ll post a few sample press releases and a template at the end of this series. Reporters and editors receive many releases each and every day. You only have a few seconds to grab their attention, so write a succinct and interesting story. The headline and first paragraph are often your only chance to get attention before your press release ends up in the shredder.
And Never Forget! This story is for your readers (the editor/reporter and ultimately, their audience) ~ tell them why it would interest them. You are not important.
Here’s what your press release should include:
- Date Instructions
"For Immediate Release";
"For Release Before [date]" or
"For Release After [date]"
Use one of the latter two if your press release is of a time sensitive nature. For example, if you are holding a public speaking event, you will want to use the "For Release Before [date]" and make sure you input the final date for registrations. If you are using the "For Release Before [date]" ensure you are sensitive to media deadlines. Send your release out well in advance.
- Headline
Use an attention-grabbing headline. There’s a fine line between a promotional headline and a headline that gets attention, but don’t be too mundane and factual in your headline. That’s boring. Here are a few headline ideas:
A Headline for a Nutritionist:
76% of People Surveyed Eat at Fast Food Restaurants More Than 3 Times Per Week, Contributing to a Growing Obesity Program in US
A Headline for a Night Club:
Single Richmond Residents are Invited to Find Their Soul Mate at Valentine’s Day Dating Game Fundraiser
A Headline for a Florist:
Local Residents to Be Awarded in an Upcoming Rose-Growing Challenge
- Contact Information
Include as much information as possible here. Make it easy for the media to contact you. Include your phone number, address, company name, fax number, email and URL. Include the hours you are available at the listed phone number and add an after hours phone number, if applicable.
- Summary
Before you get into the body of the release, write a sentence or two to summarize your press release. Make it interesting, you want the recipient to keep reading. Also, include the area to which this release is relevant.
- Content
This is the meat of your press release. Again, write a benefits-oriented story. Think of the target audience as you are writing and ask yourself if you came across this story in the paper would you be compelled to keep reading? Your target audience is partly the editor or reporter who will be reading the release. Ultimately, however, your target audience is that editor or reporter's readers or audience. You need to write a story that will be of interest to them.
The first paragraph should answer all the important questions - Who, What, Where, When, Why & How? You only have a few seconds to keep an editor's or reporter's interest. Here's your chance.
- Signify the End of Your Press Release
The end of your press release is shown by a few simple characters. Place ### at the end of your release.
Other Important Formatting Tips
- Keep your release to about 1 page (or 2 pages maximum).
- Number your pages 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc. Remember, it’s all about making it EASY to chose, verify and print your story.
- Avoid the hype. Don't use big words and adjectives. Stick to the facts in plain English, ma’am.
- Focus on benefits: What problems do you solve for your customers or website visitors?
- Use bold headlines to get attention.
- Break up your paragraphs for easy reading.
- Tweak your release when sending to different media outlets. If you are sending it to the local paper, your content may be slightly different than if you are sending it to a trade journal.
- If you are sending your release by mail, use 8 1/2" x 11" letterhead. Use only one side of the paper. If your release is more than one page long, write "more" at the bottom.
- If you are sending your release by email, never send an attachment. Copy and paste your release into the body of the email.
- Back up your claims with facts and statistics. Often the media will publish your press release without interviewing you or making substantial changes. They may not even have time to check your facts, so if they are dubious, then they may just toss out your release.
- Send samples. If it’s cost effective, send out a few samples with your release. If you are an author, send a copy of your book. Just remember, if you send these things unsolicited, the goodies may be appreciated, but your press release may get tossed. Carefully evaluate your expenses and the results of sending freebies.
- If you’re snail mailing your press release, don’t send it in a white or manila envelope with typed labels. This is a great tip from Alex Carroll of RadioPublicity.com. They don’t stand out and look like all the other mail editors receive every day. Use a brightly colored envelope, handwrite the address and add a unique marker like a sticker or rubber stamp. Make your envelope get attention and beg for attention.
- Consider sending out a Press Release Kit, instead of just a simple press release. Here's what you can include:
- Cover Letter
- Press Release(s)
- Business Fact Sheet
- Your Biography
- Samples, Photos, etc.
- Company Literature
- Your Business Card
You need to evaluate the cost of sending a full press release kit. You may want to indicate that you will send samples upon request as an alternative.
However you decide to send your release, you need to stand out from the crowd. You need to create a press release that would interest the editor and her target audience.
Next week, learn How Your Website Comes into Your PR Marketing Plan
SEO Mistake #6 – Obsessing Over PageRank
If you’re new to this search engine optimization business, you probably have no idea what PageRank is.
PageRank: This is Google’s link analysis algorithm that measures the importance, relevance and value of a web page based on the quality of the pages linking to it.
Basically, PageRank will tell you, on a scale of 0 to 10, how important your site is in the overall scheme of the Internet. It will not tell you how well your page will rank for the keyword phrases your customers are going to use to find your page.
What does this mean?
In a nutshell, this means that you’re wasting your time if you spend more than two minutes on your page’s meta tags or looking at your PageRank.
Meta tags are not going to ensure that your page ranks in the top 10 for your keyword phrases. And PageRank is not an accurate measure of where your page appears in the SERPs for your keyword phrases.
You’re better off spending your time writing quality content, developing relationships with the owners of high ranking sites in your industry or relevant industries and making sure your site is search engine friendly.
Even better, spend time getting to know your customers or site visitors and find out what terms they use to search, what they are looking for when they arrive at your site and what they think you can do to improve their experiences while browsing your site.
This information will be more valuable to you than your PageRank and the content you put on your site in response to your customers experiences will go much further in advancing the goals of your website than a meta tag or twenty hastily tossed on your pages.
SEO Mistake #5: Obsessing Over Meta Tags
"Meta tags are so 1995."
Even so, you’ll still find a few web designers, programmers and unscrupulous SEO “professionals” who’ll insist that, in order to optimize your site for the search engines, all you need to do is fill your keyword and description meta tags with all your relevant keywords (and then some) – and keep an eye on your PageRank.
If you’re new to this search engine optimization business, you probably have no idea what a meta tag or PageRank is. Here are a couple of definitions, just for you:
Meta Tag: These are tags placed in the head of your HTML pages that give the visitor’s browser, or the search engine spider, information about the page. Two mid-90s search engines, Infoseek (now defunct) and AltaVista (now owned by Yahoo!), first popularized the keywords tag, which they used to determine what each page on a website was about.
However, by 1997, search engines realized that spammers were misusing the tag to make pages rank for terms that were completely irrelevant to the page’s content. Search engines completely stopped giving so much weight to the keyword meta tag information by 2002.
That said, the description tag is still important. It does not affect how your page is ranked, or what keyword phrases your page will appear in the search engine results pages (SERPs) for, but the meta description tag is displayed under your page’s title in some of the SERPs.
We'll cover page rank in the next article. In the meantime, stop on by the new Volition website and get a jump with your own personalized site review.
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