subject: How To Build Targeted Web Traffic [print this page] Targeted web traffic has always been and will continue to be the most important part of internet marketing. The ability to effectively drive targeted traffic is a skill set that any internet marketer, blogger or webmaster would do well to learn from the very beginning.
One thing however, that should be noted is the fact that driving traffic is an art as well as a skill and if one is to drive targeted traffic, a certain logical order can be followed so as to maximize the time used. Whenever browsing blogs and forums, you will run across several key ways to drive targeted web traffic to your blog or website. Some of these are more effective than others, but in the end, you will have to focus on what works for you and your site.
Among some of the most popular methods of driving targeted web traffic are PPC, article marketing, SEO, social bookmarking, list marketing and social media, but not necessarily in that order.
This article discusses a logical progression of which of methods of driving targeted traffic to your website you can focus on first so as to maximize your time and efforts.
The first method of driving traffic that should be focused on is SEO or search engine optimization. What will this include? SEO includes first and foremost the generation of original and informative content. Research will be required on two fronts.
The first area research will be required in is the actual subject of interest and second area of research that will be required will be finding out which keywords people type into search engines to find information about your subject specifically.
Subject research is essential because informative copy is a must if you are going to attract repeat visitors to your site. Quality matters. Informative copy also increases the average time a unique visitor spends on your site and this is one of several pieces of data that search engines use to gauge relevancy.
Keyword research is essential because your content has to be placed where your targeted traffic is traveling. Using the wrong keywords is similar to placing a traditional advertisement on a billboard on the side of a road that literally gets no traffic. That would simply make no sense. Keyword research shows you where the traffic is and how many competing advertisements or web pages your content will be competing with.
The next form of targeted web traffic falls in spot number two only because of the fact that it can be automated, not because of the quality of the traffic it brings you. That form of driving traffic is social media and social bookmarking. Platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are two of the most popular social media sites that are used. Services such as Twitterfeed can be set up to automatically read your RSS feed and post links with small excerpts pointing to your latest article.
Social bookmarking sites such as Digg, Mixx and Propeller serve an almost identical function but may require the use of an aggregator as a means of automation. Again, social media is not the highest source of targeted traffic because it serves browsers who are generally just browsing instead of actively searching to buy. But, as stated earlier, this can be automated so it essentially works in conjunction with SEO. Additionally, it also helps get you content indexed which is an essential part of SEO.
The next form of traffic to be focused on is article marketing. Article marketing is a great way to reuse your original content and squeeze some additional traffic out of it. People frequently visit article directories searching for information and search engines are also frequent visitors to article directories. In some instances, search engines will serve articles from article directories to individuals requesting queries from them. If your content is original, informative and unique, you can submit it to article directories and e-zines.
Article marketing is a great source of targeted traffic for two reasons. One reason is because of the fact that their layout is in a logical directory-like order. This allows for logical navigation by individuals browsing the directory for subjects of interest thus increasing how targeted your web visitors are. The second reason is the fact that article directories allow resource links pointing to your site. Back-links are of great SEO benefit.
The next form of traffic is one that should be used with caution and that is PPC marketing or advertising. PPC is a acronym for Pay Per Click and it means just what it says. You pay every time somebody clicks on your link. The advantage of PPC is that you can get your ad and link listed at the top of the search results without the effort required to have them listed in the organic results. One thing you want to avoid is designing an ad that does not accurately describe your offer. All PPC does is drive targeted web traffic to your web page. Just because somebody clicks on your ad does not mean that they will convert, opt in or purchase your product. PPC can be a form of highly targeted traffic if used properly. Remember to keep a close eye on your budget and accounts. If a campaign is not working, pause it and make the necessary changes before you spend any more money on traffic!
The final method of driving targeted web traffic is list marketing. All of the aforementioned methods (except PPC...do not send PPC traffic to a squeeze page as this may get your account banned) of driving traffic can be used to build a list of subscribers. If an internet marketer, blogger or webmaster is able to convince unique visitors to give up their email address, then any updates, ads or special offers that are written can be sent to the opt-in visitor via email. List marketing is a great way to capture and maintain targeted web traffic. Just remember, if your subscribers are to remain on you list, you will have to continually provide quality and informative content on a regular basis.
These are the basics of driving targeted web traffic. In review you want to write original, unique, keyword optimized articles. Next, post them to your site and them submit them to social media and social bookmarking sites. Recycle your articles by submitting them to e-zines and article directories which will also help with SEO. Launch a PPC campaign and drive targeted web traffic using targeted ads. Remember to split test. Finally, capture your targeted web traffic using an opt in offer. Continue to rinse and repeat these methods and stay in contact with your list weekly. This will help drive targeted traffic to your website.
