How to Turn, “I’m Not Getting Traffic to My Online Store”, Into, “I Wish I Could Keep Up With All the Orders!”

You were all excited when you first opened your e-commerce store.

Every pixel was in place, your product photos looked like something out of a Neiman Marcus catalog, and your product descriptions had the sweet warbly tones of a bluebird that swallowed a Jeff Buckley album.

When you swung open the doors, you expected it to be like the release of a new iPhone; people would line around the block to get their sweaty palms on your stock.

Instead, you were greeted by two drunk crickets and a wandering cockroach doing a rendition of Death Is Not The End.

It’s now a few months down the line, you’re sick of the crickets, and the two humans who interacted with your site were close family members who complained about your color scheme.

All is not lost. Don’t give up just yet.

Here are some practical tips you can employ to ensure you get more of the right people visiting your store. And buying!

Two Crucial Reminders

Stick these two tips to your brain with superglue!

1. It’s a numbers game. Not everyone who visits your store will buy, but the more people visit, the higher your number of buyers will be.
   1. There’s something called a conversion rate. The conversion rate rarely changes, so your game-plan is not to increase your conversion rate, necessarily; it’s to increase your traffic. That said, you need some basics in place to ensure your conversion rate is optimal.
2. Be a solution to a need. Your website visitors have a need. They’re not visiting your store to be awed by your graphics or catchy copy; they want to know what you’ve got for them.

I’ll be using WordPress as the basis for this article, but any good CMS (e-commerce or non-e-commerce) should enable you to achieve what WordPress offers.

Keyword Research and Optimization

Before we dive into WordPress, let’s look at an important aspect of online marketing: keyword research.

On the internet, where millions vie for attention, one key element stands as one of the cornerstone of online visibility: keywords.

These seemingly humble strings of text hold immense power, acting as the linchpin between what users search for and what your website offers.

Let’s delve into why keyword research is a quintessential component of any successful online strategy.

Imagine a conversation where you and your audience speak entirely different languages.

It would be a cacophony of misunderstandings.

In the digital realm, keywords are the language of your audience.

Through comprehensive research, you gain insights into the exact words and phrases potential customers use when searching for products or services in your niche.

This understanding is the bedrock of effective communication.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, trends and preferences shift like sand dunes in the wind.

Through meticulous keyword research, you unearth hidden gems – those specific terms and phrases that might not have the highest search volume but indicate a highly engaged and potentially lucrative niche.

This knowledge empowers you to tailor your offerings to precisely match the demands of these specialized markets.

As an example, say you sell fishing rods through your online store. You set up your products using the keyword, fishing rods.

But you decide to do a little keyword research. This includes using a keyword research tool, as well as your Google Search Console data.

You notice that people are looking for fishing poles.

That’s a great find!

You can now start adding content using the keywords, fishing poles, too, and so ensure that your website aligns with what the market wants.

In the digital arena, it’s not just about having a presence; it’s about standing out amidst a sea of competitors.

Strategic keyword research provides you with a competitive edge.

By identifying high-value keywords with moderate competition, you can position your website for optimal visibility.

This means more eyes on your content, products, and services.

The content on your website is the canvas on which keywords are painted.

With the right keywords in hand, you can create content that resonates with your target audience.

This relevancy not only satisfies user intent but also impresses search engines, resulting in higher rankings and increased organic traffic.

The digital landscape is akin to a dynamic ecosystem, constantly evolving and shifting.

Keyword research is not a one-and-done affair; it’s an ongoing process that allows you to adapt to changing trends, consumer behavior, and emerging niches.

By staying attuned to the pulse of your audience, you can maintain a competitive edge in an ever-fluctuating market.

Armed with this knowledge, it’s time to put it into practice.

You’ll be amazed at how good keyword research, and creating content based on your keyword research, can turn your ghost-town website into a pumping digital highway filled with relevant traffic.

When you get Appstrax to build you a website, you can rest assured that your website speaks the language of your target audience. Through proper keyword research we ensure that your message aligns with your market’s wants and needs.

Next up: your website.

WordPress

WordPress lets you set up a website quickly.

But there’s more to the system than simply giving you a website in record speed.

The system comes with ways to categorize and taxonomize data in a sensible way.

When you install WordPress it comes with the ability to add pages (static content) and blog posts (flow content).

But using a handful of plugins and the right theme grants you access to incredible customization options.

For instance, you could set up a website for your restaurant, add a food post type, add food items to that post type and expand on each food type entry with custom fields.

Furthermore, you could create a special menu page with updatable prices. That’ll allow you to ditch the PDF upload methodology that’s a pain to manage and brings no joy to users of your website.

And that’s just in the restaurant niche. You could translate this to any niche, whether you’re selling car parts or dog collars.

Let’s dive into a little more about WordPress.

Content Structure

WordPress makes it easy to structure content sensibly.

Whether you choose to run a full e-commerce system on your WordPress website, or run a website without e-commerce that you simply want people to contact you through, WordPress allows you to optimize accordingly.

One of the most important aspects of getting your e-commerce store going is to set up your content structures correctly.

Your categories and tags need to be sorted. This is something many e-commerce store owners get way wrong. They think that by creating more categories and more tags they’ll get more traffic.

Not only could this lead to Google seeing your online store as spammy, it could be confusing to your site visitors.

Make sure your categories and tags are set up correctly for your niche.

Do not, I repeat, do not create a tag for every single keyword you can come up with.

WordPress creates an archive for every category, tag, product category and product tag.

If you use a sitemap tool (you should; more on why, later), you’ll notice that those archives are accessible to search spiders and website visitors.

When you use too many tags, you’re creating a content structure with many thinly populated archives.

For instance, say you’ve created a product category called hamburgers.

You start adding three types of hamburgers to that product category (Cheese Burgers, Bacon Burgers, and Vegan Burgers), and for the sake of taxonomizing your content further, you decide to employ tags based on the types of hamburgers.

But instead of creating three tags, one for each of those burger types: Cheese Burgers, Bacon Burgers, and Vegan Burgers, you create the following: Cheeseburgers, Cheese Burgers, Cheeseburger, Cheeseburgers, Burgers, Bacon, Baconburger, Baconburgers, Vegan, Vegan Burgers, Vegan Burger, Veganburger, Veganburgers.

You now have a bazillion tags for products that need only three!

The problem is, you now have an archive page for each of those tags. And each tag archive page might only contain a single product.

This could be interpreted as spam.

Furthermore, it’s just plain confusing. There’s no need to create similar tags for something that could be succinctly taxonomized using a single product tag.

Categories should be approached more or less the same.

Create only as many categories as makes sense for your e-commerce store and news section.

In the case of hamburgers, you’d create a category called Hamburgers, and ensure all your burgers are placed under that category.

Will tag and category archives sometimes overlap?

Yes.

Sometimes, a product or news item can be categorized into more than one archive (tag or category).

But the tags or categories would be different enough to warrant this move.

So your category for hamburgers would be named Hamburgers, while each product in that category will receive a tag corresponding to that product.

Can you see the power of a properly constructed tag structure?

You can now add those product tag archives to any sensible place on your website, including the main menu.

Sitemap

Someone once told me, in order to increase traffic, I should add a sitemap to my website.

That’s back in the day when I was clueless about SEO.

The truth is, a sitemap won’t do one bit for increasing traffic.

It simply helps direct traffic better.

It’s like a road sign on a highway.

The highway might be jam packed, or it might be deserted.

The road sign is simply doing its job of showing the traffic where it should go.

Is it necessary?

Because it’s so simple to set up a sitemap, there’s no reason to not have it.

And since you can add your sitemaps to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools, it should tell you that those search engines value them.

When you get a website from Appstrax, you know that your website’s sitemaps will be set up correctly. We ensure that only the necessary information is added to your sitemap, giving Google and other search engines a good indication of your website’s structure.

The Product Page Setup

Your individual product pages can really help drive traffic in a big way.

But you must take care to set them up correctly.

Here’s how…

Headings

I’ve written elsewhere on how not to create product page headings.

Don’t stuff your product headings with keywords, like Amazon sellers do.

I think Google will soon start frowning upon keyword stuffed headings, and Amazon sellers will suffer for it.

The better way is to use succinct headings for products, while employing other marketing tactics to ensure your product pages are seen.

Click here to read my article about product headings, and how to drive traffic to single products in your store.

Product Categories

How you set up categories is entirely up to your niche, but here’s a hint: check out what the major e-commerce stores are doing.

Amazon is worth copying, but so might any other e-commerce store be, especially ones in your niche.

What you need to be careful of is tampering with your structure too much.

When you create a category, you’re creating a URL for that category.

That URL is eventually indexed by search engines.

If you delete it, and someone clicks on the link in Google, they’ll land on a page that doesn’t exist on your website anymore (marked by a 404 error).

That’s bad for business.

You never want anyone to land on a 404 error page.

Now, there are ways to handle 404 errors so they at least offer the person who lands on it something of value, but that’s for another post.

Product Descriptions

You might be tempted to copy and paste the description for your products from the site of the supplier of the product.

Although this is a common practice, you’re missing out on making your product pages stand out.

A better way is to add your own voice to the product description.

With some keyword research you should know what language your target market uses.

By using language suited to your target market, you can stand out from anyone else selling the same product.

This approach is better for ranking, too. You’re giving search engines fresh content, rather than last month’s rotten mash potato.

Product Tags

The product tags you use for your site hinges entirely on the niche you find yourself in.

Do a search on hashtags to find product tags that make sense for your e-commerce store.

As mentioned earlier, don’t overdo product tags. Use only what you need.

Product Images

Some business owners think it’s okay to add just any ol’ product image.

What you get are badly shot, grainy product images in low light that looks horrendous.

Unless you’re selling your used laptop computer on Facebook’s Marketplace, it’s advisable to use product images that look gorgeous.

This might mean you need to invest in a little hardware, but it’ll make your product images pop. It’ll show website visitors you’re into quality. You don’t splash in the shallows.

If you can afford it, get a professional product photographer onboard to shoot images of your products. You’ll be shocked to see the difference a professional eye makes to your product images.

Checkout

Checkout carts are cheap.

You don’t have to pay thousands every month to have a solid checkout system.

Some people still prefer to offer only bank payments, but having a payment system in place that allows someone to check out using their favorite card (debit or credit), removes a barrier that might be causing you loss of sales, if you don’t have it in place.

The checkout system can also be set up to upsell other items.

If you’re selling burgers, you might as well upsell fries, right? And a Coke too.

If you’re selling fishing rods and reels, you can upsell fishing lures and terminal tackle.

With a WordPress e-commerce package from Appstrax, you’ll have an optimized checkout cart ready to (legally) snag more dollars out of your website visitor’s wallet.

Content Marketing

This is my preferred method for driving traffic over the long-term.

If you’re an expert in your field, write content that reflects that fact.

Become the go-to source for everything related to your niche.

Of course, content pages (blog posts, articles, whatever you want to call them) can be set up with CTAs that point to your online store.

For instance, you could have a sticky button at the top of the page that never goes away. This button haunts the reader of the article. (The Appstrax website is a shining example of using a sticky CTA; and it works, by the way.)

Here’s why content marketing works.

You add blog posts or articles to your website.

Those posts are indexed by Google, if they’re good enough.

Someone searches Google for something you mentioned in one of your posts.

Your post shows up in Google for their search.

They click on your search result and land on your site, where they can read the article.

But instead of it merely being an article, your page has this sticky button that allows the website visitor to take an action of your choosing. This button could lead them to your online store, or a specific section of your online store.

You’ve now created a slick sales funnel that should work well in the long-term:

1. Prospect searches.
2. Prospect clicks on your search result.
3. Prospect lands on your post.
4. Prospect clicks on button that leads to e-commerce store.
5. Prospect likes your product.
6. Prospect buys and becomes a client.

Content Strategy

For content marketing, you need a strategy.

I’ll go out on a limb and profess that the strategy is easy to formulate, but harder to execute.

The thing is, you know your niche. You could probably come up with at least a 100 articles for it, along with related content (white papers, infographics, et al).

In fact, you could use ChatGPT to create you an index of article titles which you could turn into articles.

The key to content marketing success is sticking it out.

If you’re low on cash and can’t spend on paid ads, content marketing is your only reasonable option.

But it takes time to build a nice blog section filled with juicy content.

Some website owners don’t have the patience to stick it out.

They want results, and they want it now.

So they get despondent and stop posting articles. They go back to the safety of posting to Facebook, where they know they’ll get likes and shares. Those likes and shares might not translate to sales, but at least they feel like they’re getting value.

That’s a sad way to do online marketing if you have a website.

If you have a website with an e-commerce shop, and you keep at adding content to your website, you’ll see results.

Play the long game, like a good investor, and keep posting articles, and you’ll eventually pick the fruit of your patience.

But before you start your long game journey, write down as many topics as you can, related to your niche.

Just stick them in a spreadsheet.

Create columns for categories and tags too, so you know which core issues each article touches on.

It’s a simple, free way to ensure you’ve got structure for your content marketing, and you’re not flying by the seat of your pants.

If the idea of creating your own content fills you with dread, get Appstrax to create you a content strategy. And while we’re at it, let us add the content to your website. It’s an investment strategy with handsome traffic returns.

Blog Posts

The Blog Post Layout

As mentioned earlier, an article, or blog post, offers a great way to drive traffic to your online store.

You pull in people from search engines with your articles, but when they land on your article, they can visit your e-commerce store easily if you have a good CTA set up, dressed up in something like a sticky button.

Featured Image

In the digital realm, where attention spans are fleeting and competition is fierce, first impressions matter.

This is where the role of a featured image comes into play.

A blog post without a captivating visual element is like a ship without a sail – it may be seaworthy, but it won’t go far.

Don’t get me wrong. The featured image doesn’t have to show inside the blog post. It’s used mainly to draw people in from outside of your website.

That’s why a good featured image is important.

The internet is a bustling marketplace of ideas, where countless blog posts clamor for attention.

A well-chosen featured image acts as your blog’s beacon, drawing the eye of a potential reader amidst the sea of content.

It serves as a visual invitation, enticing the viewer to explore further.

Humans are visual creatures.

A well-crafted image complements the textual content, providing context and aiding in comprehension.

Using images inside your blog post is another strategy that could lead to more conversions.

It breaks up the monotony of text, making the content more digestible and engaging.

This visual appeal encourages visitors to stay longer, absorbing your message with greater ease.

In the age of social sharing, a compelling featured image is your secret weapon.

When shared on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, it becomes the face of your content.

A striking image is more likely to catch the eye of potential readers scrolling through their feeds, increasing the likelihood of click-throughs and shares.

You know those ads you see on Facebook? Some of them might be boring and irrelevant, but sometimes you see an image of a product or service that’s irresistable. You have to click to learn more.

A featured image is an extension of your brand identity.

It conveys your style, values, and messaging at a glance.

Consistency in featured images across your blog posts reinforces your brand’s visual identity, fostering recognition and trust.

Search engines are becoming increasingly sophisticated in recognizing and valuing visual content.

A well-optimized featured image with relevant alt text and file name can contribute to improved SEO rankings.

Additionally, it may appear in image search results, expanding the avenues through which users can discover your content.

Images have the power to evoke emotions and tell stories in a way that words alone cannot.

A carefully selected featured image sets the tone for your content, resonating with your audience on a visceral level.

It establishes a connection, leaving a lasting impression that extends beyond the words on the page.

Incorporate the selection and creation of featured images into your content creation process.

Leverage your design expertise to craft visuals that not only complement your blog posts but also amplify their impact.

Consider the unique needs and preferences of your target audience, and let your featured images serve as a bridge between your content and their interests.

Remember, in the digital landscape, every element of your content plays a role in shaping the user experience.

A thoughtfully chosen featured image is not just an accessory – it’s a strategic tool that can transform a mere blog post into a compelling and memorable online experience.

So, embrace the power of visuals, and let your blog posts stand out amidst the digital noise.

Watch as your content captivates, engages, and ultimately converts visitors into loyal readers and clients.

Not keen on doing images yourself?

Let Appstrax take charge of your content and related images. We’ll ensure the images used on your blog not only looks good, but forms part of your brand, and grabs the attention of your target market.

Categories

A well-structured blog not only showcases expertise but also provides a seamless user experience.

At the heart of this organizational prowess lies the judicious use of categories.

Imagine wandering through a vast library with no clear sections or labels.

It would be a daunting task to find the book you seek.

Similarly, in the digital landscape, categories act as the sections in your virtual library.

They provide a clear roadmap for visitors, guiding them to the content most relevant to their interests.

A well-categorized blog is a user-friendly blog.

It allows visitors to quickly find the information they’re seeking.

By grouping related content under specific categories, you’re streamlining their journey, reducing frustration, and increasing the likelihood of prolonged engagement.

As a software development firm, your blog is a testament to your expertise.

Properly categorized content demonstrates a structured approach to knowledge sharing.

It highlights the depth and breadth of your proficiency, instilling confidence in your readers and potential clients.

Search engines are intelligent, but they rely on cues to understand the relevance of content.

Categories serve as these cues.

By categorizing your content thoughtfully, you’re providing clear signals to search engines about the topics you cover.

This can lead to improved rankings and visibility in search results.

Each category effectively becomes a mini-archive of related content.

This means that even older posts remain accessible and discoverable.

Categories are not just for your readers; they’re for you as well.

They serve as a roadmap for your content strategy, helping you identify gaps, prioritize topics, and maintain a balanced content portfolio.

This strategic approach ensures that your blog remains a dynamic and relevant resource.

Remember, a well-organized blog not only reflects professionalism but also serves as a valuable resource for your audience.

By mastering the art of categories, you’re creating a digital space that invites exploration, showcases expertise, and fosters lasting connections with your readers and potential clients.

So, embark on this journey of category mastery, and watch as your blog evolves into a dynamic hub of knowledge and insights, seamlessly guiding visitors through the rich tapestry of your expertise.

Tags

The ability to navigate a website with precision is invaluable.

Let’s explore why using tags correctly is an art that leads to a more engaging and organized user experience.

Think of tags as the index of a book.

They provide a quick, at-a-glance summary of what a piece of content encompasses.

When employed effectively, tags allow visitors to swiftly find the information most pertinent to their interests.

This refined accessibility ensures that your audience is presented with content that precisely matches their needs.

Tags serve as signposts within your content landscape.

They beckon readers to explore related topics and delve deeper into your expertise.

By offering this breadcrumb trail, you’re not only encouraging longer browsing sessions but also fostering a sense of discovery and satisfaction in your audience.

Tags enable you to zero in on specific aspects of your products or services.

This granularity ensures that each piece of content is precisely labeled, allowing it to shine in the context of its related topics.

Search engines, like avid readers, appreciate well-organized content.

Tags provide search engines with valuable context about the content of a page.

When harnessed effectively, they contribute to improved SEO rankings and increased discoverability in search results.

It’s like providing search engines with a roadmap to the heart of your expertise.

Tags also play a vital role in content curation.

They enable you to create thematic collections or series of content.

For instance, if you’re a restaurant, using a tag for ‘Hamburgers’ could encompass blog posts related to this delicious item.

This approach not only adds value for your readers but also showcases your expertise in providing them with the best burger they’ll ever have.

Tags are not just a navigational aid for your readers; they’re a strategic tool for you.

They help identify trends in the topics that resonate most with your audience.

By analyzing which tags receive the most engagement, you gain insights into what matters most to your readers, informing your future content strategy.

By mastering the art of tags, you’re not only facilitating a more engaging and organized user experience but also honing a powerful tool for content discovery and strategy refinement.

Embrace the precision, and watch as your content landscape transforms into a dynamic and navigable terrain, inviting readers to embark on a journey through the depths of your expertise.

Article Images

When you upload images to your article, use image names that correspond to whatever the image portrays.

This does a few things.

Firstly, it makes it easier to find images in the WordPress media library. Secondly, it comes with a better chance at being indexed by Google, which could lead to more traffic.

Image sizing is also important.

We ensure that, when we build a site for a client, their image uploads don’t kill their hosting space and bandwidth. Using images that are too large makes for slow page load speeds, which people hate.

Alt Tags

Accessibility and inclusivity are not just buzzwords – they’re essential components of a user-friendly web experience.

Every element on a webpage plays a role in conveying information.

Alt tags, or alternative text, are the unsung heroes that ensure your content is accessible to all.

Let’s explore why using alt tags correctly is a vital aspect of web design.

Imagine a user with visual impairments navigating a webpage.

Without alt tags, images would be a silent void, leaving them disconnected from the content.

Alt tags are their lifeline – concise descriptions that convey the essence of an image.

By using them correctly, you’re extending a hand of inclusivity to all users, regardless of their abilities.

Search engines are incredibly sophisticated, but they rely on text to understand and index content.

Alt tags provide context to images, enabling search engines to comprehend their relevance to the surrounding content.

When implemented correctly, alt tags contribute to improved SEO rankings, making your content more discoverable in search results.

Not all images are purely decorative.

In the world of software development, functional images, such as buttons or icons, play a crucial role in user interaction.

Alt tags for these elements serve as concise instructions, informing users about their purpose.

This is especially vital for screen reader users who rely on these descriptions to navigate and interact with your site.

Technology isn’t infallible; sometimes images fail to load.

In such cases, alt tags step in as a fail-safe.

They become placeholders, ensuring that users still receive meaningful information even in the absence of visual content.

This is a key aspect of providing a consistent and reliable user experience.

Web accessibility isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a legal requirement in many regions.

By using alt tags correctly, you’re not only adhering to these standards but also demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and user-centric design.

This not only avoids potential legal complications but also helps to build a positive reputation for your brand.

In the realm of digital marketing, conveying the right message is paramount.

Alt tags provide an additional layer of context to your images, aligning them with your content’s messaging and goals.

This ensures that every visual element supports and enhances the overall narrative, creating a more cohesive and impactful user experience.

When you add images to your site, cultivate the practice of including descriptive and concise alt tags for your images.

Consider the context, purpose, and message of each image, and encapsulate it in a few words.

This small but crucial step ensures that your websites are not only visually appealing but also universally accessible.

By recognizing the importance of alt tags and implementing them correctly, you’re not only adhering to best practices in web design but also fostering a more inclusive and user-friendly digital environment.

Embrace the power of alt tags, and let your website offer accessibility and user experience excellence.

Image Optimization Plug-ins

There are several popular WordPress image optimization plugins that can significantly improve website performance by reducing the size of images without compromising quality.

Here are a few well-regarded options:

Smush

Smush is a user-friendly, all-in-one image optimization plugin.

It automatically compresses, resizes, and optimizes images as you upload them to your WordPress site.

It also has a bulk optimization feature for existing images.

Smush helps enhance page load times, improve SEO rankings, and reduce server storage space usage, all of which contribute to a better user experience.

Imagify

Imagify is a popular image optimization plugin developed by the team behind WP Rocket.

It offers three levels of compression, allowing you to choose the balance between image quality and file size that suits your needs.

By reducing image sizes, Imagify helps improve website performance, decrease loading times, and potentially boost SEO rankings.

ShortPixel

ShortPixel is a versatile image optimization plugin that offers various compression options, including lossy, glossy, and lossless compression.

It also supports PDF optimization.

ShortPixel helps you achieve a good balance between image quality and file size, leading to faster load times and a smoother user experience.

WP Smush Pro

WP Smush Pro is the premium version of the Smush plugin.

It provides additional features like Super Smush for more aggressive compression, automatic image resizing, and the ability to optimize images in other directories.

WP Smush Pro offers advanced optimization options for those seeking more granular control over their image compression settings.

EWWW Image Optimizer

EWWW Image Optimizer is a comprehensive image optimization plugin that offers both lossy and lossless compression.

It also supports optimization of PDF files.

By reducing image sizes, EWWW Image Optimizer helps improve website performance, leading to faster load times and a better user experience.

These tools will not only enhance the performance of your website but also contribute to a better user experience, potentially leading to higher user engagement and conversion rates.

Long-form Copy

The idea of long-form copy might seem counterintuitive.

However, depth and detail are what truly capture the reader’s interest. This does not mean that every person who comes across your long-form copy post will be reading it. But those who are truly interested will be happy to at least scan your content, if it gives them value.

Let’s explore why long-form copy is not just a content strategy but a traffic-generating powerhouse.

Imagine a potential client seeking comprehensive insights into a complex solution.

A brief blurb won’t suffice; they crave depth and detail.

Long-form copy provides the canvas to paint a vivid picture, delving deep into concepts, benefits, and nuances.

It doesn’t just capture attention; it holds it, providing a thorough education on the subject.

In most businesses, trust is paramount.

Long-form content allows you to demonstrate your expertise in a way that short snippets simply can’t.

By thoroughly exploring topics, addressing potential concerns, and offering in-depth solutions, you establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.

This builds credibility and fosters a sense of confidence in your brand.

Search engines are voracious consumers of content.

They thrive on comprehensive, informative material.

Long-form copy provides the substance that search algorithms crave.

By producing content-rich pages, you’re essentially rolling out a red carpet for search engine crawlers.

This can lead to improved rankings and increased organic traffic.

When readers encounter content that truly engages and informs, they’re more likely to stay on the page longer.

Long-form copy encourages deeper dives, reducing bounce rates and signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant.

This positive user behavior can have a positive impact on your site’s overall SEO performance.

Long-form copy allows you to cater to your audience by providing detailed insights tailored to their specific needs.

Whether it’s explaining the intricacies of creating the perfect burger (if you’re a passionate restaurant owner), or offering in-depth guides to the inner workings of a fantastic fishing reel (if you have a fishing e-commerce store) long-form content ensures you’re addressing a broad range of interests and concerns.

Contrary to popular belief, in-depth content can be highly shareable.

When readers find comprehensive, well-researched information, they’re more likely to share it with their networks.

This social engagement not only expands your reach but also brings in new traffic streams.

Consider incorporating long-form copy into your content strategy.

Whatever type of e-commerce store you run, leveraging your expertise in your niche allows you to create long-form content that people might find irresistable.

Depending on your niche, your type of long-form copy might be presented as a blog post, a white paper or a case study.

By embracing the power of long-form copy, you’re not only enriching your content portfolio but also opening the floodgates to a surge in website traffic.

So, dive deep, provide value, and watch as your long-form content attract and engage a broader audience hungry for knowledge and insights.

Social Media Marketing

Driving traffic to your e-commerce store is paramount.

Social media, in all its dynamic glory, stands as a potent vehicle for this endeavor.

Let’s explore why it’s a highway you can’t afford to ignore.

Social media platforms are bustling metropolises of digital activity, with millions of users actively engaging with content every day.

By establishing a presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, you tap into a vast pool of potential visitors.

Sharing your expertise, insights, and content on these platforms is akin to putting up billboards on the busiest highways of the internet.

In the realm of digital marketing, brand visibility is paramount.

Social media provides a direct channel to showcase your expertise, services, and unique value proposition.

Consistent and strategic posting on social platforms ensures that your brand remains top-of-mind for your audience, increasing the likelihood of them seeking out your website for more information.

Social media isn’t a one-way street; it’s a dynamic conversation.

Engaging with your audience through comments, likes, shares, and direct messages fosters a sense of community.

By actively participating in discussions and addressing questions or concerns, you’re building trust and rapport.

This engagement can lead to higher click-through rates to your website.

The content you create, be it blog posts, case studies, or video tutorials, deserves to be seen by as many eyes as possible.

Social media serves as a powerful distribution channel for your content.

Sharing your expertise on these platforms not only attracts immediate attention but also has the potential for content to go viral, significantly boosting traffic to your website.

Through advanced targeting options, social media platforms allow you to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors.

This means you can tailor your content and messages to resonate with your ideal audience.

By directing this targeted traffic to your website, you’re ensuring that the visitors are not just numerous, but also highly relevant and potentially valuable.

Visual content is a cornerstone of effective digital marketing.

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest thrive on visual appeal.

As a software development firm, showcasing your portfolio, UI/UX designs, and custom solutions through visually engaging posts can be a compelling way to draw in potential clients and drive them to your website for more detailed information.

Integrate social media into your digital marketing strategy.

Share valuable insights, engaging content, and updates about your services or products.

Leverage your expertise to create visually appealing posts that resonate with your audience.

Remember to maintain consistency and authenticity in your social media presence.

By actively engaging in social media, you’re not just creating a presence; you’re constructing a highway that leads directly to your website.

So, rev up your engines, join the flow of conversations, and watch as the traffic surges, bringing in a steady stream of engaged visitors eager to explore the depth of your expertise.

Search Engine Optimization

Millions of websites compete for attention.

The art and science of SEO stands as the guiding star in this sea of competition.

Without a solid SEO strategy, even the most exceptional website can remain in obscurity.

Let’s uncover why getting SEO right is the linchpin for driving more traffic to your website.

Search engines like Google are the compasses of the digital age.

They’re the first stop for users seeking information, solutions, or services.

Effective SEO techniques ensure that your website appears prominently in relevant search results.

This increased visibility translates directly into higher traffic volumes.

SEO is not just about attracting any traffic; it’s about attracting the right traffic – users who are actively seeking what you offer.

Through keyword optimization and other SEO tactics, you can align your website with the specific queries and interests of your target audience.

This leads to more qualified leads and potential clients.

High-ranking search results are often perceived as more trustworthy and credible by users.

When your website consistently appears at the top of search results for relevant queries, it conveys a message of authority and expertise.

This builds trust with your audience and increases the likelihood of them visiting your website.

SEO isn’t just about pleasing search engines; it’s also about creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for users.

Elements like fast page load times, mobile-friendliness, and clear site navigation are all crucial aspects of SEO.

When visitors have a positive experience on your website, they’re more likely to stay longer, explore further, and convert into leads or customers.

The digital landscape is in a constant state of evolution, and search engine algorithms are no exception.

What works today might not work tomorrow.

Staying on top of SEO best practices allows you to adapt to algorithm changes and ensure that your website remains visible and competitive in search results.

Effective SEO is one of the most cost-effective marketing strategies available.

Unlike paid advertising, organic traffic generated through SEO efforts is essentially free.

By investing in SEO, you’re not only driving traffic but also maximizing the return on your marketing investment.

Incorporate SEO best practices into your website development process.

Conduct thorough keyword research, optimize meta tags and descriptions, create high-quality, relevant content, and ensure technical aspects like site speed and mobile-friendliness are in top shape.

Regularly monitor and analyze your website’s performance to identify areas for improvement.

By mastering the art of SEO, you’re not just optimizing for search engines; you’re optimizing for your audience’s needs and preferences.

Watch as your website climbs the ranks, attracting a steady stream of engaged visitors eager to explore the depth of your expertise.

Email Marketing

In the dynamic realm of digital marketing, there’s a tool that remains as effective as ever, standing the test of time – email marketing.

Email is not just a communication channel; it’s a potent driver of traffic to your website.

Let’s uncover the key reasons why mastering email marketing is pivotal for a robust online presence.

Email marketing provides a direct line of communication with your audience.

Unlike social media or search engines, where algorithms can limit your reach, email lands directly in your subscriber’s inbox.

This enables you to engage with them on a personal level, fostering a stronger connection and encouraging them to visit your website.

With email marketing, you have the ability to segment your audience based on various factors like interests, behavior, or demographics.

This allows you to tailor your messages to specific segments, ensuring that each subscriber receives content that is relevant and valuable to them.

Targeted emails drive higher click-through rates and, consequently, more traffic to your website.

Building trust is paramount in the digital landscape.

Email marketing allows you to nurture relationships with your audience over time.

By consistently providing value, whether through informative content, exclusive offers, or personalized recommendations, you establish your brand as a trusted authority.

This trust translates directly into higher traffic as subscribers are more likely to visit your website for further information or solutions.

When you have a new blog post, a product launch, or a special promotion, email marketing is the perfect vehicle to drive targeted traffic to these specific pages on your website.

By crafting compelling emails that highlight the value of what’s on offer, you guide subscribers to take action and visit your website.

Email marketing platforms offer powerful automation capabilities.

This means you can set up automated email sequences based on subscriber behavior, preferences, or actions.

Whether it’s welcoming new subscribers, nurturing leads, or re-engaging inactive users, automation ensures that your audience receives timely and relevant messages, leading them back to your website.

One of the strengths of email marketing lies in its trackability.

You can measure open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and more.

By analyzing this data, you gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t.

This allows you to refine your email marketing strategy over time, driving even more effective traffic to your website.

Integrate email marketing into your overall digital strategy.

Build and segment your email list, create engaging content, and leverage automation to nurture leads and drive traffic.

Pay attention to analytics to understand what resonates with your audience and iterate on your approach for continuous improvement.

By mastering the art of email marketing, you’re not just sending messages; you’re crafting experiences that lead people to your expertise.

Watch as email brings in traffic that would surprise you.

Need an email marketing campaign?

Get Appstrax to integrate email into your WordPress e-commerce solution and enjoy growing your own list and seeing the fruit of this ancient, yet effective, marketing tool.

Search Engine Marketing

Visibility is one of the cornerstones of success.

In order to thrive, you need to meet your audience where they are – and often, that place is a search engine.

This is where Search Engine Marketing (SEM) takes center stage.

Let’s uncover the key reasons why embracing SEM is paramount for driving targeted traffic to your website.

SEM allows you to reach users actively searching for products or services related to your offerings.

Through keyword targeting, you can ensure that your ads are displayed to the most relevant audience.

This precision targeting ensures that the traffic driven to your website is highly qualified, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Unlike organic search efforts, which can take time to gain traction, SEM provides near-instant visibility.

Once your ads are set up, they can start appearing in search results almost immediately.

This means that you can quickly capture the attention of potential clients and direct them to your website.

With SEM, you have full control over your campaigns.

You can set budgets, adjust bids, and schedule ad placements based on your preferences and goals.

This level of control allows you to allocate resources where they’re most effective, ensuring you get the most out of your advertising budget.

SEM platforms provide robust analytics and reporting tools.

This means you can track key performance indicators like click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI).

With this data, you can accurately measure the effectiveness of your campaigns and make informed adjustments for even better results.

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and user behavior is no exception.

SEM platforms offer features like keyword research tools and audience targeting options that allow you to stay in tune with shifting trends and preferences.

This agility ensures that your campaigns remain relevant and effective.

SEM platforms allow you to conduct A/B tests on different ad elements, such as headlines, ad copy, and landing pages.

This iterative process of testing and refining enables you to continually optimize your campaigns for maximum performance.

By identifying what resonates best with your audience, you can drive even more targeted traffic to your website.

Integrate SEM into your digital marketing strategy.

Conduct thorough keyword research, create compelling ad copy, and set up tracking for conversions.

Continuously monitor and analyze performance metrics to identify opportunities for refinement and improvement.

By embracing the power of SEM, you’re not just running ads; you’re orchestrating a symphony of targeted messaging that guides potential clients directly to your expertise in your niche.

Watch as your SEM campaigns become beacons, lighting the way for a surge of high-quality traffic to your website.

Forum Marketing

Forums stand as bustling marketplaces of ideas and insights.

These forums aren’t just places for discussion; they’re fertile grounds for driving highly targeted traffic to your website.

Let’s uncover the significance of forum marketing and how it can be wielded effectively.

Forums are hubs of interaction and engagement within specific niches.

By actively participating in relevant forums, you have the opportunity to establish yourself and your brand as an authority in your field.

Offering valuable insights, answering questions, and providing solutions showcases your expertise, earning you trust and respect among forum members.

One of the key advantages of forum marketing is the ability to reach a highly targeted audience.

Forums are typically organized around specific topics or industries.

By choosing forums that align with your expertise, you ensure that you’re engaging with individuals who are genuinely interested in your services.

Most forums allow users to include a signature, which is a brief snippet of text or a link that appears at the end of their posts.

This is a valuable space to promote your website or a specific landing page.

Craft a compelling and concise message that encourages forum members to visit your site for more information.

The heart of successful forum marketing lies in providing genuine value to the community.

Focus on offering helpful and insightful contributions to discussions.

This could involve answering questions, offering solutions to problems, or sharing your expertise on specific topics.

By consistently delivering value, you’ll naturally attract interest and curiosity towards your website.

While it’s important to promote your website, it’s equally crucial to avoid coming across as overly promotional.

Forums are primarily spaces for discussion and mutual assistance, not blatant advertising.

Ensure that your contributions are balanced and genuine, with promotional elements woven in naturally.

In your forum signature, include a link to your website or a relevant landing page.

Make sure that the landing page is directly related to the topics being discussed in the forum.

This ensures that visitors who click through are directed to content that aligns with their interests, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Track the performance of your forum marketing efforts.

Keep an eye on metrics like website traffic originating from forum links, conversion rates, and user engagement on your site.

This data will help you refine your approach and identify the forums that deliver the best results.

Identify and join reputable forums within your industry or niche.

Engage with the community authentically, providing valuable insights and solutions.

Craft a compelling forum signature that leads interested members to your website.

Monitor the performance of your efforts and adjust your approach as needed.

By leveraging the power of forum marketing, you’re not just participating in discussions; you’re becoming an integral part of communities, offering genuine value, and guiding interested parties towards your expertise.

Watch as your forum contributions become catalysts for a surge of targeted traffic to your website, enriching your digital presence.

Backlinks?

Connections are the currency of credibility.

Backlinks are the bridges that lead users to your website.

But not all links are created equal.

Let’s uncover the critical importance of legitimate backlinks and how to acquire them in a way that benefits your website.

Search engines like Google consider backlinks as votes of confidence from other websites.

When reputable and relevant sites link to yours, it signals to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.

This, in turn, can lead to higher rankings in search results, driving more organic traffic to your website.

Backlinks act as pathways for potential visitors to discover your website.

When your content is referenced or linked on other reputable sites, it exposes your brand to a wider audience.

This extended reach can result in new, targeted traffic finding its way to your website.

Acquiring backlinks from websites within your niche or industry is particularly valuable.

It not only strengthens your website’s relevance to specific topics but also positions you as an authority in your field.

Visitors referred from these sources are more likely to be interested and engaged with your content.

Legitimate backlinks are often acquired organically, as a result of creating high-quality, valuable content.

This type of growth is sustainable and aligns with best practices in SEO.

By consistently producing excellent content, you naturally attract links from other websites seeking to reference or share your valuable insights.

Guest posting is a legitimate method of acquiring backlinks.

By contributing high-quality content to reputable websites within your industry, you not only showcase your expertise but also gain a valuable link back to your own site.

Ensure that the websites you contribute to are authoritative and relevant to your niche.

Engaging with industry-specific forums, communities, and social media groups can lead to valuable backlink opportunities.

By providing insightful comments, answers, or contributions, you may earn mentions or references back to your website.

This approach requires genuine participation and value-driven interactions.

Encourage satisfied clients or partners to provide reviews or testimonials on their own websites, with a link back to yours.

This not only builds trust with potential clients but also generates valuable backlinks from relevant and authoritative sources.

Crafting exceptional content is the cornerstone of any successful backlink strategy.

When you consistently produce content that is informative, unique, and engaging, you increase the likelihood of other websites wanting to reference or share it, leading to more backlinks.

Incorporate a backlink acquisition strategy into your content marketing efforts.

Focus on creating high-quality content that naturally attracts links.

Seek out guest posting opportunities on reputable websites within your industry.

Encourage satisfied clients to provide testimonials with backlinks.

Monitor and track your backlink profile to ensure quality and relevance.

By prioritizing legitimate backlinks, you’re not just acquiring connections; you’re building a network of trust and authority that leads visitors directly to your products or services.

Watch as your backlinks become the foundation for a steady stream of targeted traffic to your website, solidifying your online presence.

If you don’t want to spend time creating backlinks (which can be a tedious process), get in touch with Appstrax for a link-building strategy that aligns with best practices.

Website Speed

Website speed emerges as a pivotal factor in user satisfaction and search engine rankings.

A swift-loading website isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Let’s uncover why website speed is paramount for better rankings and how it can lead to a surge in traffic to your website.

Search engines prioritize user experience, and website speed is a critical component of that experience.

Google, for instance, factors in page loading speed when determining search rankings.

A faster website is more likely to be favored by search engines, potentially leading to higher rankings in search results.

A slow-loading website can be frustrating for users.

If visitors encounter sluggish performance, they’re more likely to abandon the page (a phenomenon known as a high bounce rate).

Search engines interpret high bounce rates as a signal that the content or experience is unsatisfactory, potentially leading to lower rankings.

A fast-loading website enhances user engagement.

Visitors are more likely to stay longer, explore more pages, and interact with your content when they have a seamless experience.

This increased engagement not only benefits user satisfaction but also signals to search engines that your content is valuable and relevant.

With the proliferation of mobile devices, website speed is even more critical.

Google, in particular, places a strong emphasis on mobile-friendliness and page speed in its mobile search rankings.

Ensuring that your website loads quickly on all devices is essential for maintaining high visibility in mobile search results.

Search engine crawlers are constantly scanning websites to index and rank their content.

A fast-loading website ensures that crawlers can efficiently navigate and index your pages.

This means that your content is more likely to be accurately and comprehensively represented in search results.

A fast-loading website contributes to positive user experience signals.

When users have a seamless and efficient experience on your site, they’re more likely to have a positive perception of your brand.

This can lead to increased trust, brand loyalty, and even referrals, all of which can indirectly contribute to higher rankings and more traffic.

Optimize your website for speed by minimizing unnecessary elements, optimizing images and media files, utilizing efficient coding practices, and leveraging caching and content delivery networks (CDNs). Regularly monitor your website’s speed performance and make adjustments as needed.

By prioritizing website speed, you’re not just enhancing loading times; you’re elevating user satisfaction, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable, and ultimately paving the way for better rankings and a surge in traffic to your website.

Watch as your swift-loading site becomes a beacon for engaged users seeking your products or services.

With an Appstrax WordPress e-commerce package, you know your website will be optimized for speed.

User Experience

User experience reigns supreme.

A well-crafted user experience isn’t just a luxury—it’s a conversion catalyst.

Let’s delve into why user experience matters and how it can be the cornerstone of driving more conversions on your website.

User experience is the first impression your website makes on a visitor.

A seamless, intuitive, and visually appealing design captivates attention and invites exploration. When users are engaged from the moment they land on your site, they’re more likely to stay longer, delve deeper, and ultimately convert.

A well-designed, user-friendly website communicates professionalism and trustworthiness.

When visitors encounter a site that is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and provides clear, concise information, they’re more likely to trust the brand behind it.

This trust is a crucial foundation for converting visitors into leads or customers.

A seamless user experience streamlines the conversion process.

Whether it’s filling out a contact form, making a purchase, or subscribing to a newsletter, a well-optimized UX ensures that the path to conversion is clear, intuitive, and free from unnecessary obstacles.

This reduces friction and encourages users to take the desired action.

User experience design involves understanding your audience’s needs, preferences, and pain points.

By identifying and addressing these pain points, you can create a website that caters to the specific interests and concerns of your target audience.

This tailored approach increases the likelihood of conversions from your ideal customer base.

In an increasingly mobile-centric world, ensuring a seamless experience across devices is paramount.

A mobile-friendly design not only improves accessibility but also directly impacts conversions.

Mobile users are more likely to take action on a website that is easy to navigate and interact with on their devices.

Testing is a critical component of optimizing user experience.

Techniques like A/B testing, heatmapping, and usability testing provide valuable insights into user behavior and preferences.

By analyzing the data from these tests, you can make informed adjustments to improve the UX and, consequently, increase conversions.

Regularly monitoring website analytics and gathering user feedback are invaluable practices.

Analytics tools can reveal key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user behavior, conversion rates, and more.

User feedback provides qualitative insights into their experiences, uncovering areas for improvement.

Prioritize user experience in your website design and development process.

Conduct thorough user research to understand your audience’s needs and preferences.

Implement testing methodologies to gather data on user behavior.

Continuously iterate and improve based on the insights gained from testing and analytics.

By placing user experience at the forefront of your website strategy, you’re not just creating a platform; you’re crafting an immersive and compelling environment that guides visitors towards conversions.

Watch as your optimized user experience becomes the driving force behind a surge in conversions.

If you require a user testing service, Appstrax can help. We’ll help identify what you’d like your website to accomplish, and perform split tests to that end.

Analytics & Tracking

Data is the compass that guides decision-making and strategy.

Analytics and tracking aren’t just tools—they’re essential assets for optimizing your website’s performance.

Let’s uncover why harnessing data through analytics is paramount for increasing traffic and conversions.

Analytics provide valuable insights into user behavior, preferences, and interactions on your website.

This data empowers you to make informed decisions about content, design, and marketing strategies.

By understanding what resonates with your audience, you can refine your approach to drive more traffic and conversions.

Analytics tools offer detailed information about where your website traffic is coming from.

Whether it’s organic search, social media, referrals, or direct traffic, knowing the sources allows you to allocate resources and focus on channels that are driving the most traffic and conversions.

Analyzing user behavior provides crucial insights into how visitors interact with your website.

You can track metrics like bounce rates, session duration, and click-through rates.

This data helps identify areas where the user experience can be enhanced, ultimately leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Analytics are central to the process of conversion rate optimization.

By tracking conversion events (e.g., form submissions, purchases, sign-ups), you can identify bottlenecks and optimize the conversion funnel.

This iterative process can lead to significant improvements in conversion rates over time.

Through advanced analytics, you can implement personalization strategies.

By understanding user preferences and behavior, you can tailor content and offers to specific segments of your audience.

Personalization enhances the user experience and increases the likelihood of conversions.

Analytics play a crucial role in A/B testing and experimentation.

By comparing different versions of content, design elements, or marketing strategies, you can determine which variations lead to higher traffic and conversion rates.

This data-driven approach allows you to refine your tactics for optimal results.

For digital marketing efforts such as pay-per-click (PPC) advertising or email campaigns, analytics are indispensable.

They provide insights into key metrics like click-through rates, conversion rates, and return on investment (ROI).

This data allows you to fine-tune your campaigns for maximum impact.

Implement robust analytics and tracking tools on your website.

Define key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your traffic and conversion goals.

Regularly analyze and interpret data to uncover insights and make data-driven decisions.

Use A/B testing and experimentation to optimize user experience and conversion rates.

By embracing analytics and tracking, you’re not just collecting data; you’re gaining a powerful toolset for optimizing your website’s performance.

Watch as data-driven insights lead to strategic refinements, resulting in increased traffic and conversions.

Not sure how to implement analytics?

With an e-commerce solution from Appstrax, you can opt for an analytics report that shows you where traffic is coming from, which keywords brought the traffic, which pages are visited, and which buttons and links are clicked.

We can also show you what people are searching for when they use the search function on your site, which adds another layer of valuable marketing data.

In Conclusion

In the dynamic world of online commerce, success hinges on a combination of finely-tuned strategies and seamless execution.

Let’s recap the key strategies that will be instrumental in achieving this goal.

A well-crafted SEO strategy serves as the bedrock of online visibility.

By conducting thorough keyword research, optimizing on-page elements, and consistently producing high-quality content, you’re positioning your online store to rank prominently in search results.

This targeted visibility translates directly into increased traffic.

Compelling content is the linchpin of user engagement.

Through informative blog posts, product descriptions, and multimedia elements, you’re not just informing, but captivating your audience.

This captivating content establishes trust and entices visitors to explore further, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates.

Email marketing is a direct line to your audience’s inbox.

By segmenting your list and delivering personalized, value-driven content, you’re nurturing relationships and driving traffic back to your online store.

This targeted approach leads to more engaged visitors who are more likely to convert.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) offers immediate visibility in search results.

With precise targeting, compelling ad copy, and strategic bidding, you’re not only capturing the attention of potential customers but directing them straight to your online store.

This immediacy can result in a surge of high-quality traffic.

Active participation in industry forums and communities positions you as a valuable resource.

By providing genuine insights and building relationships, you’re creating a network of trust.

This trust translates into more qualified traffic and potential customers visiting your online store.

A seamless user experience is the gateway to conversions.

Through intuitive navigation, fast loading times, and visually appealing design, you’re creating an environment where visitors feel comfortable and confident in making a purchase.

This user-centric approach leads to higher conversion rates.

Harnessing the power of analytics and tracking allows you to make informed decisions.

By understanding user behavior, optimizing your website, and refining your strategies based on data-driven insights, you’re constantly improving your approach to drive more traffic and increase sales.

In the grand synthesis of these strategies, you’re not just running a website; you’re orchestrating a symphony of user-centric, data-driven initiatives that guide potential customers towards your online store.

With each well-executed tactic, you’re inching closer to your goal of not only driving more traffic but also selling more, solidifying your position as a leader in online commerce.

Embrace these strategies, track your progress, and continue to refine your approach.

The online store you envision is not just attainable; it’s well within your grasp.

Watch as your combined efforts lead to a surge in traffic and sales.

Need an e-commerce solution that’ll bring more traffic and translate into more sales?

Get Appstrax to quote you on a WordPress website with e-commerce capabilities and see results.