Boost your website traffic with marketing & SEO
Get more enquiries and sales with these 6 steps that you can implement for FREE.
Welcome to the SEO Series #3, where I walk small business owners and website DIY-ers through the basics of SEO.
We’ve got into the nitty gritty of SEO, but that’s not the only thing that’s going to get people coming back to your website….
You’re going to need to consistently market your products and services. Driving people to visit your website will be on your weekly to-do list.
But, not to worry, I’ve broken down some easy, quick-to-implement tips that Google and your audience will love you for.
We’ll cover:
Link directly through to your website on Instagram stories
Use a website page instead of Link in Bio
Diversify your marketing with Pinterest
Make the most of your Google Business Profile
Ask businesses that you've worked with to link through to your website (aka backlinks)
Start your blog! Using Answer the Public to generate ideas
Let’s jump into the details of these free ways to boost your website traffic and online presence.
#1: Using Instagram stories for direct website links
Boost traffic to targeted pages on your website
Let’s talk about reality of the algorithm on Meta: most followers aren’t going to see all of your content, and with our short attention spans and goldfish memories, you’re going to need to remind your community that you’re here and ready to make sales!
Use the Instagram link function to add a direct link to pages on your website.
This could be a reminder that you’re taking bookings for next month (service providers), or user generated content of your product in the wild (product businesses).
What to do:
Think of where and why you want to drive people through to your website - is it to get bookings, sell products, or provide educational value?
At least once a week, provide a link through to your website on stories.
Bonus points if you save these as ‘Highlights’ for your community to access later.
#2: Ditch the Linkinbio and make a custom links page
Drive brand awareness and clicks on your website
If you have a website and run a service-based or small product-based business*, it’s time to ditch the external bio link services, including LinkTree and Later’s Linkin.bio. Why? I’m glad you asked.
You are missing out on some seriously good website traffic that will come straight through to your website. Because free versions (and sometimes even paid ones) don’t allow you to fully customise your site, you end up with your audience spending time on a random non-branded page instead of your website.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Above is an example of what mine looks like, and I update the ‘featured blogs and case studies’ section when I have something new to share.
*If you're operating a large product-based business, particularly in fashion or beauty, the paid versions of these bio link services can be handy to link directly to products from a version of your Instagram feed.
What to do:
Set up a simple page on your website with buttons through to other useful pages you want to feature.
Optimise the page for mobile view - this is how it will mostly be accessed.
Don’t forget to keep it up to date with relevant and helpful links.
Use ‘click the bio link’ as a call to action to drive your Insta audience to your website.
#3: Diversify your marketing with Pinterest
Get clicks through to your site with evergreen content
This ones for the Pinterest queens! I’ve been a long-time pinner, but have recently started my business account and am loving driving traffic through to my website. This is especially great for lifestyle or aesthetic brands. Think art, design, skincare, styling, flowers, coffee, you name it!
As we should all know by now, diversifying your marketing is extremely important. It isn’t good to rely on just one way to reach your audience, just in case anything were to happen, but also because you might stumble across something even better!
Pinterest can be a slow burn, but content is evergreen - meaning it doesn’t have the short lifespan of Meta, and the work that you put into it will last for years to come.
Each pin can also be directly linked from a pin to any page on your website, boosting your website traffic by getting outbound links. Make sure you use your keywords in the title and description too!
What to do:
Set up a business account on Pinterest, and make sure to optimise your profile with keywords and a catchy description.
You don’t need much to start, simply pin a few high-quality images up, including keywords in the title, related tags, and a link to your website.
If the photo is of a specific product or service, make sure to link directly to that page (and don’t change the link later down the line!)
Check out my Pinterest here. Give me a follow and I’ll follow you back 😘
#4: Optimising your Google Business Profile
Build trust with a verified business, and through customer reviews.
If you don’t have a Google Business profile yet, you are seriously missing out on some SEO goodness. If you have a physical store and don’t have one yet, please put me out of my misery and get this up and running stat. But even if you’re a service provider or an online store, you should have one too.
In location-based searches (like, ‘Rule Design NZ’) Google Business profiles will often be displayed on the right-hand side of a search results pages on desktop, or at the top of the page on mobile. This is prime real estate!
If your website domain is new, then this is a great way to get some visibility on local search results while Google lists your website. By keeping your profile up to date with your opening hours and recent photos, as well as including keywords in your business name, you’ll increase the likelihood of coming up in searches.
It’s also a great place to collect reviews from existing customers that prove how trustworthy you are!
What to do:
Start by making sure you have a Google My Business Profile set up. You can head to www.google.com/business if not (just follow the prompts).
Include keywords in your business name and description, related to your product/service.
Ask nicely for reviews from past customers - an incentive usually works best! Build asking for reviews into your process by setting up and automated email X amount of days after a product is purchased, or into your off-boarding process as a service provider.
#5: Start your own blog
Show off niche expertise and keep your site fresh
If you haven’t started blogging yet, you’re missing a huge opportunity to establish authority in your field and keep your website fresh. Blogs are a powerhouse when it comes to SEO because they allow you to incorporate keywords naturally, provide answers to common customer questions, and show your expertise.
Using tools like Answer the Public, you can discover what potential customers are searching for and tailor your content to meet those needs. Each blog post should provide valuable information that addresses specific queries or offers unique insights into your industry.
It’s not just your website that blogging is great for, blogging seriously changed my marketing mindset, shifting from an Instagram-first approach, to a holistic content marketing strategy. Read the full post here.
What to do:
Start planning your blog strategy by listing topics that you are knowledgeable about or that align with your business goals. Is it the process of manufacturing your product, your special technique you use for your service, or something else? If you’ve had any customer questions lately, this is a great start.
Head to Answer the Public and dive into your niche to see what your audience might be searching for.
Aim to publish at least one blog post per month to keep your content fresh and engaging. Make sure to include keywords in your meta titles and descriptions.
Bonus: Split up the content of your blog post and use snippets across all your marketing channels! Share the full blog post too.
#6: Get backlinks from other businesses
Prove to Google that you’re super duper trustworthy.
If you’re up-to-date with what google ranks your website on, you’ll know that backlinks are one of the top ranking factors that Google takes into consideration for your website.
Gaining backlinks can seem daunting, but it's an amazing way to build your website's credibility and improve your SEO. Start by reaching out to businesses you've collaborated with or that align with your brand values.
Offer to write case studies, blog posts, look into promotional opportunities that benefit both parties. Remember, the quality of the backlink matters more than quantity, so aim for reputable sites within your industry.
Make the most of any speaking engagements, podcasts, or public appearances by requesting the host to include a link to your website. This not only benefits SEO but also gets eyes on your website from new audiences.
What to do:
Identify at least three businesses or platforms where you can contribute content or collaborate in a way that includes a link back to your site.
Make the most of your network - it could be related businesses in your industry or someone you’ve worked with in the past. Reach out with a personalised proposal for each.
Remember consistency is key
The tips I've shared are designed to be actionable and straightforward, but the real magic happens when you apply them consistently. Digital marketing is not a one-time task but a continual process of adjustment and improvement. By setting aside time each week to update your online presence and interact with your audience, you'll not only boost traffic but also build a loyal community around your brand.
While SEO and backlinks are essential, they are just part of the puzzle. Your ultimate goal should be to create a vibrant, engaging online presence that captivates and converts your audience. Whether it's through Instagram stories, a well-maintained Google Business profile, or compelling blog content, each element should work together to showcase the best of what your business has to offer.
Your final task: keep up the good work
Set a monthly goal to try one new tactic from this list and track its impact on your traffic and engagement.
Remember, the most successful marketing strategies are those that evolve with your business and your audience's needs. Keep it up busi bee!
Need to go back to basics? Check out the SEO Series #1 & 2
Meet Ruth - your freelance designer.
Good things come to those who wait have bold and beautiful branding and websites.
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