How to Get More Traffic to Your Website

Having a website is a brilliant start—it gives potential customers the confidence to reach out and engage with your business. But what if you’d like to take it further and attract even more visitors?

More Visitors = More Traffic = More Customers

A secure, well-structured website already reassures potential clients and can turn interest into sales. However, if you want to drive more traffic to your site, it’s time to consider two key strategies: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Social Media Marketing (SMM).

Let’s dive into these options and explore what you can do to boost your website’s visibility.

What Is SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)?

SEO involves improving your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means more people can find your site when searching for relevant keywords related to your business. SEO focuses on:

• Keywords: Words and phrases people use to search for your products or services.
• On-Site Optimisation: Structuring your site content and metadata for better search engine visibility.
• Off-Site Optimisation: Building high-quality backlinks to your site.

Free SEO Tips

1. Blogging: Write helpful, keyword-rich articles that answer your customers’ questions.
2. Keyword Research: Use free tools like Ahrefs Keyword Generator to find long-tail keywords with low competition.
3. Directory Listings: List your business on directories like Google Business, Yell, and Freeindex to boost visibility and gain backlinks.

What Are Long-Tail Keywords?

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases (e.g., “best coffee shop in Manchester”) that are easier to rank for than generic terms. Focus on these to improve your chances of appearing in search results.

Researching Keywords to Get Ahead

One of the best ways to stay ahead of the competition is to find out exactly what people are typing into search engines. These keywords—whether long-tail (e.g., “best vegan restaurants in Bristol”) or short-tail (e.g., “vegan restaurants”)—represent what potential customers are looking for. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can help you identify the most searched keywords in your niche.

Once you’ve found the keywords you’re interested in, take the next step: type them into a search engine to see which sites are ranking for them. Use tools like Moz Domain Authority Checker, Ahrefs Site Explorer, or Ubersuggest to check the domain authority (DA) of those sites. If the ranking sites have a DA of less than 30, you have a good chance of outranking them by creating high-quality blog posts or pages using those keywords. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently focus your content strategy on the keywords that matter most.

Using Yoast SEO to Implement Keywords on WordPress

For beginners with WordPress sites, the Yoast SEO plugin is an excellent tool to help you optimise your blog posts for specific keywords. Yoast works by analysing your content and providing actionable suggestions to improve your SEO. It’s beginner-friendly and makes implementing your keywords straightforward.

Here’s how to get started with Yoast SEO:

1. Install the Plugin:

   • Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for “Yoast SEO” and click Install Now, then activate it.

2. Set Up Your Focus Keyword:

   • When creating or editing a blog post, scroll down to the Yoast SEO section.
   • In the Focus Keyphrase field, enter your primary keyword for the post (e.g., “best vegan restaurants in Bristol”).

3. Follow Yoast’s Suggestions:

   • Yoast provides a colour-coded analysis of your post:
     • Green: Good to go!
     • Orange: Needs improvement.
     • Red: Requires significant attention.
   • Use the suggestions provided to improve your SEO score. These might include adding the keyword to your headings, meta description, and first paragraph.

4. Optimise Your Meta Description:

   • Yoast allows you to write a meta description, which is the short snippet displayed on search engine results pages. Make sure it includes your keyword and is compelling to readers.

5. Review the Readability Analysis:

   • Yoast also checks the readability of your post, ensuring it’s easy to read and engaging. Aim for shorter sentences, active voice, and well-structured paragraphs.

6. Update and Publish:

   • Once you’ve addressed Yoast’s suggestions and are happy with the content, save your changes and publish your post.

Using Yoast SEO ensures your content is keyword-optimised, helping search engines better understand and rank your posts. Over time, this can significantly improve your site’s visibility and traffic.

What Is SMM (Social Media Marketing)?

SMM uses social media platforms to promote your business, drive website traffic, and engage with customers. The most popular platforms include:

• Facebook: Great for brand awareness and generating leads.
• Instagram: Ideal for visual storytelling.
• Twitter: Perfect for quick updates and industry engagement.
• LinkedIn: Excellent for B2B connections.

Free SMM Tips

1. Create Engaging Content: Post relevant and shareable updates about your business.
2. Cross-Promote: Share links to your blog posts and website pages on your social media accounts.
3. Focus Your Efforts: Manage campaigns on two or three platforms where your audience is most active.

Organic Traffic vs Paid Traffic

Organic traffic comes from unpaid search engine results or natural social media engagement. It takes time to build but can deliver lasting results. Paid traffic, from ads or boosted posts, delivers quicker results but requires investment.

Free vs Paid Marketing

If you’re just starting out:

• Focus on free options like blogging and directory listings.
• Experiment with low-budget social media ads.

If you’re short on time or find this overwhelming, consider outsourcing to a professional SEO or SMM agency.

Why Outsourcing Can Be a Smart Move

Staying on top of SEO algorithms and managing social media campaigns can be time-consuming. A reputable professional can save you the hassle and deliver measurable results.

Recommended SEO Specialist

We highly recommend Carrie Ann Sudlow. Carrie has been helping small UK businesses since 2008, offering affordable, no-contract SEO services with a personal touch.

Final Thoughts: Work Smart, Not Hard

For small businesses, a mix of free strategies and targeted outsourcing is often the best approach. Whether you’re creating content yourself or working with a trusted professional, consistency is key.

Handy Hints

• After publishing a blog post, share it on your social media platforms to increase visibility.
• Monitor your website’s traffic using tools like Google Analytics to track what works best.

Need help getting started? At Vanilla Websites, we’re always here to guide you in the right direction. Whether you need a simple SEO boost or a comprehensive marketing campaign, let’s work together to grow your business.