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To increase website traffic, you must first make sure you’re leading them to a destination that looks professional, pleasing-to-the-eye and offers them some type of value. You want to create a thorough strategy to ensure people visit your website and stay there long enough to lead to sales and conversions. Below is a roadmap from your friends at .biz domains, complete with what to consider if you want to build a site that attracts visitors and entices them to stay.
SEO:
Following the basics of keywords and search engine optimization is critical. Conduct keyword research to determine what types of words and search terms to include in your URLs, page titles, product descriptions and blogs. Learn more about SEO for small businesses here.
UX:
A simple strategy to guide your web design and content is to think about user experience (UX), so factor in things like fast-loading websites. How fast your pages load affects their ranking on search engines. Run your website through PageSpeed Insights to get a recommended list of changes you can make to your online store’s performance.
Mobile UX:
All pages should be just as readable on mobile as they are on desktop. Try this Mobile-Friendly Test to check how easily a visitor can use your page on a mobile site.
Trending and relevant blogs:
Clear, concise content is valuable, but there’s usually a minimum length needed to fully answer a question and have a chance at appearing in search results. This is Google’s way of making sure it’s delivering blogs that offer depth and value. Therefore, most blogs should offer at least 500 words.
Social media:
Establish a business page or profile on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. When you’re just creating your brand, establishing a social media presence will help you protect your identity, create a forum for connecting with customers and like-minded brands, and most importantly, give people a place to find you. Every social media account should link to your business website so that new followers can discover more about your business and products or services.
Setting up these accounts is a free way to expand your online presence. But don’t let these online profiles sit idle. Set aside time each day or week to engage with customers by posting specials, sales, contests and giveaways. Also, engage with customers if they comment and ask questions. Never ignore a comment, good or bad.
Get some press:
Never underestimate the power of a good press mention. Engage with the press, be it digital, print or broadcast, to reach a larger audience. You don’t need to hire a global public relations agency. Dedicate time each week or month to connect with the local press. If you’re a neighborhood restaurant launching an initiative to give back to the community, contact your local newspaper or news station about it. Think about timely holidays. If you’re a local florist, and it’s Mother’s Day, pitch a live news segment or op-ed on how to pick the perfect bouquet or make the perfect arrangement for mom. Brainstorm! You’ll be surprised how often reporters need a feel-good story.
Friends and family:
Press and social media are important, but relying on friends and family can help drive awareness and lead to your first sales. Instead of asking them to buy from you, just ask them to support your business by spreading the word about your new business. (Best etiquette is to offer them a free sample or a major discount). People are eager to support small and local businesses more than ever, and personal referrals can help drive early momentum for your newfound venture.
Remember:
Making sure your business website ranks high in search results is only part of the job. You also need to convince visitors to stay, peruse and purchase from your site. Focus on compelling content and copy, as well as great web design that aligns with your brand.
Ready to launch your site? A .biz domain is that next step you’ve been looking for. Bring your business online now. Find a .biz today.