Building quality Internet traffic is almost more of a creative art form than it is a hard science or a set list of specific steps; however the following seven steps will help guide in the creation of not just random traffic, but quality, interested web traffic.
Create an effective, informative website. Many web designers use all of the next following steps to get the traffic, but without a high quality, rich in content, frequently updated site the traffic never returns.
Submit the site to as many search engines as possible. Google, Yahoo, and several other search engines allow one to submit the URL of the web site for free. Paid and free online services exist that submit the URL to Google, Yahoo, Dogpile, Bing, and other search engines all at the same time. Submission to search engines does not put the web site at the top page, but it does guarantee that the search engines know that the website is out there on the Internet.
Create an SEO site. Search engine optimization is critical to generating web traffic. For example, a Google search using the term “kitchen cabinets” generates 9,280,000 results. If the website isn’t SEO engineered, it doesn’t stand a chance to get anywhere near the top of that list.
Exchange links with non-competing like-minded web sites. For example, if the web site centers on interior design, links could be exchanged with web sites that offer home furniture, pictures, and wall stencils to name just a few ideas.
Collect customer and potential customer emails by providing a sign up sheet. Use the email list to advertise the web site.
Find local web directories. The online version of the Yellow Pages, is a good start, but consider venues such as the city or county web sites, the visitor’s bureau web site, and even the online edition of the local newspaper. Find excuses to get on those more locally oriented sites.
Generate web traffic leads with old school advertising and marketing techniques. Put the site’s URL on business cards, bumper stickers, and brochures. Whenever speaking with someone, find an excuse to tell them about it!