According to GE Capital Retail Bank’s recent study, 81% of consumers research online before making a purchase. That means if you want your small business to succeed, you need to make sure potential customers can find your website.
A website is the official online face of your company, and it’s where potential customers can learn about what you do, find out how to contact you, and even purchase your products or services. It’s important for any business, whether it’s a small mom-and-pop shop or a large corporation.
The more people who visit your site, the more likely they will buy something from you. But it’s not just about making sales; driving traffic to your site can also help you build brand awareness and generate leads. And, of course, if you have a brick-and-mortar store, driving traffic to your website can also help increase foot traffic.
Now, let’s say you’ve got a small business website. You’ve put in lots of time and effort to make it look great, and you’re proud of what you’ve created. But how can you attract visitors to your website? And once they’re there, how can you keep them coming back?
This article will go through some of the best ways to drive traffic to your small business website. So read on for some helpful advice!
#1 Optimize your website for search engines
One of the preferable ways to generate traffic to your website is to make sure it’s optimized for search engines. Most people use search engines such as Yahoo, Google, and Bing to learn more about the products and services they’re interested in.
- If you want your small business website to be one of the first results people see when searching online for something related to your business, you need to make sure it’s properly optimized. Here are a few tips:
- Use keywords throughout your site. When people search for something, they enter keywords or phrases (also called “search queries”). You want to make sure your website includes these keywords to come up in search results.
- Include alt text with images. When you publish an image to your website, be sure to include alt text. This short description of the image helps search engines understand what it’s about.
- Make sure your site is mobile-friendly. A lot of people use their phones and tablets to search the internet. Make sure you’re using responsive web design so that all different devices will be able to read and use this content as intended.
- Get high-quality backlinks. Google and other search engines view these links as “votes” for the linked-to website. The more votes (i.e., backlinks) a website has, the higher it will rank in search results. You can get backlinks by guest blogging, writing press releases, or being active on social media.
There are other ways to optimize your website for search engines, but these are some of the basics. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting more traffic from search engines.
#2 Create a strong social media presence
Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide businesses with an easy way to connect with potential customers. By regularly posting engaging content, you can build brand awareness and drive traffic to your website.
But if you’re reckless, you could end up wasting a lot of time and effort with very little to show for it. The key is to create a strong social media presence. That means having a well-designed profile, posting interesting and relevant content regularly, and engaging with your followers in a way that encourages them to visit your website.
#3 Take advantage of live streaming
If you’re looking for a way to drive more traffic to your website, a live stream is a great option. Live streaming is a type of video content that is broadcast in real-time, and it’s a growing trend on the internet. All you need is a working webcam and a stable internet connection. Be sure to run a webcam test before you start streaming to ensure everything is working properly.
You can use many different platforms for live streaming, but some of the most popular ones are Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and Twitter Live. You can give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at what you’re doing, show them how you make products, or host an interactive Q&A session.
Don’t forget to promote your website during your live stream. You can do this by including your website URL in your live stream’s description and verbally promoting it during the live stream itself.
#4 Create interesting and informative blog posts
Another excellent way to drive traffic to your website is by creating interesting and informative blog posts. People are constantly searching online for information, and if you can provide them with what they’re looking for, they’re more likely to visit your website.
When writing a blog post, be sure to include a catchy headline and carefully chosen keywords so that people can easily find your post. The body of your post should be well-written and informative and include a call-to-action (CTA) at the end. A CTA is a statement or button that encourages the reader to do something, such as visit your website.
For example, if you’re a florist, you could write a blog post titled “10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Flowers for Your Wedding” and include a CTA at the end that says, “Visit our website to discover more of our wedding services.”
#5 Participate in online directories and review sites
Many online directories and review sites list businesses in specific industries. These can be a great way to get your business in front of potential customers who are looking for what you have to offer.
Some popular online directories and review sites include Yelp, Google My Business, and TripAdvisor. Be sure to create a profile for your business on each of these sites and make sure all of your information is up-to-date and accurate. You should also take the time to respond to any positive and negative reviews.
#6 Advertise your business both online and offline
While it’s important to focus on driving traffic to your website from online sources, don’t forget about offline marketing techniques as well. That’s right – even in the age of the internet, offline advertising can still be a powerful tool for drawing attention to your website.
Traditional media such as print, radio, and television can effectively reach potential customers, and there are some creative ways to incorporate your website URL into your offline marketing efforts. For example, you can include your URL on business cards, flyers, and brochures.
And don’t forget about word-of-mouth marketing; make sure you tell your friends, family, and acquaintances about your website and encourage them to spread the word.
Well, that’s it! These are just a few of the many ways you can drive traffic to your small business website. Of course, experimentation is key – try out a few different techniques and see what works best for you. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your analytics so you can track your progress and fine-tune your approach over time. Thanks for reading, and good luck!
