I've just written an article of how to increase traffic to your blog. I really hope that it's ok for me to post this here, and hopefully it will be a helpful resource for some members. I won't bother linking to the original even, but I'm just interested to see what people think about these tips, and if they have any ideas of their own.
After being very pleased with my blogs traffic for the first few days I thought ‘why keep my techniques a secret?’ I’m always keen to learn promotion tips from other bloggers, especially if they are original and creative.
The difference between this post and most other ‘boost your traffic’ posts is that I’m going to be using this website as a real-life example, and go into some real detail. Far too many bloggers repeat the ‘post great content’ kind of tips over and over, when these kind of go without saying. So without further ado, here are my top tips for promoting my blog, and hopefully increasing YOUR traffic:
1. Post frequently. This may class as one of the obvious points, but it seems to be doing the trick for Push Standards so far, seeing growing return visitor rates. The great part is that I enjoy posting, and this is what’s key. Your visitors will know if you’re posting simply to get traffic, you should WANT to post quality, helpful content.
2. Join niche forums. As well as posting in larger webmaster forums consider joining forums specifically for bloggers. You will find that your visitors suddenly become much more targeted. (In a recent post I mentioned growing blogging community Blogussion.com)
3. Ask for website reviews. This is pretty standard, but always proves invaluable to me when launching my websites. Whilst the traffic is nice, the real value in doing this is to receive feedback from other webmasters. Don’t simply post a review in one forum though, try as many as possible. I’ve submitted reviews to forums such as: Sitepoint, Webmaster-Talk, Webmaster-Forums, Webmaster Forums and v7n forums to name a few.
4. Write articles. There is no better way to establish your credibility than to write expert articles on your niche. If nobody is visiting your blog then consider writing for somebody else in exchange for a review or link back to your website.
5. Post your tips/techniques on forums. Most forums will not mind you sharing your techniques with their members as this isn’t really spam. I will be submitting this list to a few forums as I really think that it could help people. Most established bloggers can also help others by posting a history of their blog’s development - perhaps showing how they went from nothing to achieving the high profile they have today.
6. Ask for link trades. Post on forums asking for link trades. If you are running a relatively new blog don’t be too picky, after all some traffic is better than no traffic. My one tip would be to link to sites that will interest your audience. If you run a technology related blog don’t get involved in link swaps with Myspace related sites. Keep it on topic!
7. Submit every article you write to social networking websites, and encourage your readers to support you. Include links to do this at the bottom of each of your posts.
8. Consider paid reviews or adverts with higher profile bloggers, this is an instant way to get some quality traffic driven to your blog. Important things to look out for are competitive rates, and long term value. Check various bloggers rates vs traffic to find the best deal. Use Alexa.com to see whether their blog looks likely to increase traffic or decline.
9. This tip is from a website who’s URL I cannot for the life of me remember, so please let me know if you know of it. Basically the article suggested not only digging your own posts, but the posts of any blogger who links to you. This technique seems genius, as you will be expanding your own personal network and reach far more than people just focusing on your own blog.
10. Use a pinging service such as Pingoat.com to submit your blog to many websites using one easy form. I have yet to monitor the benefits of this service, but will update you when I have the results.
11. Leave QUALITY comments on other larger blogs. This is a great way to get some backlinks to your blog, but make sure that you aren’t spamming. Giving quality feedback to other bloggers may lead to your blog catching their attention, or at very least should show you as knowledgeable and reputable.
12. Post frequently on forums including a link in your signature. This method takes time to make a serious impact, but if you show yourself as an expert in your field the members will trust you and see more value in your signature link.
13. Submit to every good Css Gallery you can. I just wrote an article about the pros/cons of this kind of traffic, but seeing as there are some definite pros it’s certainly worth doing.
14. Include a link to your blog in your email signature. You would be surprised how much impact this has, as often emailing people is an unconscious, effortless form of marketing. It takes seconds to do, but could show great results.
15. Run contests to promote your blog. I’m currently running two contests to promote Push Standards, and as a result several articles have been written about the site. This method is obviously more effective the better your prize is, so provide the very best prize you can afford and generate some viral buzz!
16. (Addition): I didn’t think that I could leave this tip out when I remembered it. Pour any revenue that you make from your blog back into promoting it. Honestly, how much will you be able to do offline with $25 or $50 ad revenue? Instead, consider if you take your revenue from four $25 adverts and invest in a $100 advert on a much larger blog than your own. If you keep repeating this technique then you will increase traffic, be able to raise your ad prices, and then advertise on even larger blogs. I will definitely be trying this technique with Push Standards.
I would love to know if you found any of the above tips helpful or if you have any additions to my list (I’ll add them to the original post). What’s worked for you?
