Top 10 Easy Ways To Increase Web Traffic and Search Engine Ranking

Did you know that 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine? That’s right! And with 75% of users never going beyond the first page of results – getting on that first page is of paramount importance for any business.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is usually the way to go here, but with the changes that Google is making to its algorithm – the search engine giant is placing more importance on quality content. What this means is that while tweaking your HTML was routine to achieving that all elusive number one spot – blogging and social media now plays an equally (if not more) important role in SEO.

We talked about the SEO benefits of being on Google+ in an earlier post, but what else can you do? Here are some ideas to help you rank higher and attract more traffic to your site.

10 Ways To Rank Highly On Search Engines And Increase Web Traffic

1. Write compelling content

Arguably the most important thing you can do to drive traffic to your site is write compelling content. If it’s entertaining, educational or informational, you’ll attract more links back to your site and build credibility on Google.

For more information on creating content check out: The Anatomy Of Remarkable Content

2. Identify keywords your target audience use

Most online experiences begin with a search query that’s made up of specific keywords. Those keywords are what your target use to find you. Make sure you know what keywords your prospects are using to find your products or services for greater visibility online.

For more information on keywords visit: Four Ways To Find Out What Keywords Your Customers Use For Greater Visibility Online

3. Put your keywords in your title and headers

Following up from your keyword search, make sure to include them in page titles and headers using the h1, h2 & h3 tags. Doing so, not only breaks up your content into more manageable parts for visitors – but also helps search engine identify relevant pages for search queries.

4. Also place them in the first paragraph of your content

The higher up those keywords are in the body of your content, the more relevant they are for search engines. The first paragraph is typically your intro into the topic, and for search engines, it provides context to what the page is all about.

5. Don’t overcomplicate your site; keep it simple and easy to use

A major reason why people don’t return or spend too much on your site is down to the design of your site. It could be the colors, navigation or the lack of information. In any case it can make for a horrible experience, leading to a loss of traffic and credibility.

And we all know how important credibility is for acquiring new customers. Here are some things you can do to make your website more credible, courtesy of the folks at usability.gov:

  • Provide a useful set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and answers
  • Ensure the Web site is arranged in a logical way
  • Provide articles containing citations and references
  • Show author’s credentials
  • Ensure the site looks professionally designed
  • Provide an archive of past content (where appropriate)
  • Ensure the site is as up-to-date as possible
  • Provide links to outside sources and materials
  • Ensure the site is frequently linked to by other credible sites

6. Identify your competition and research what they’re doing right

Obviously we’re not suggesting that you plagiarize or out right copy what your competition is doing. Instead we’re suggesting you analyze how your site compares to theirs e.g. in relation to search engine rankings to make improvements accordingly.

You can use Cuutio for monitoring your web presence and comparing keywords, click here to sign up for your free plan

7. Use Google analytics to find out where your visitors are coming from

You won’t be able to determine the traffic of your website unless you’re measuring it. And to get a better understanding of how your website is performing, and how many visitors you’re attracting, I recommend using Google Analytics.

It’s a free tool that allows you to view where your traffic is coming from and what keywords people are using to find your website. It also lets you discover which pages are the most popular by measuring what attracted the most views and the average time spent on the pages.

8. Use RSS, social media, and email newsletters

Make it easy for new visitors to come back to you. Always have an RSS feed on hand, which makes reading your content more convenient and easier to remember. Let them follow you on social media and you can also use email newsletter subscriptions to touch base with your visitors.

Here are some tools to help you out:

9. Thought leadership

Related to building credibility and writing compelling content. Thought leadership helps establish trust with your audience by delivering content that’s useful, and meets the needs of your audience.

Essentially you want to create content that’s insightful and also covers the happenings of your industry to help position yourself as a leader in your field. And by doing so you’ll attract more social media shares, links and returning visitors

For more information on thought leadership check out: How To Become A Thought Leader In Your Field

10. Keep your site updated

At the heart of achieving a high search engine ranking and increasing web traffic is regularly publishing content. What this usually involves is having a blog serving as a hub for all your content. Google feeds off quality content, and if you keep up the pace, you’ll soon see traffic flooding your way.

So there you have it, ten things you can do to rank higher on search engines and increase web traffic. To get a leg up on your competition, sign up for your free Cuutio account today!

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