While the average online business focuses their efforts on building and increasing their traffic flow, the fact of the matter is that traffic is only one factor in determining the success of the business. For example, a site that receives 3500 views per day could very well bring in absolutely zero profit. But how is that possible? How could a site with so much traffic fail to capitalize?

Traffic is about both quality and quantity. The big success stories might be able to turn eight percent of their views into sales, while a novice probably won’t get much farther than half of a percent. The average developer can expect anywhere from three to four percent of their traffic to convert.

When it comes to traffic, the three most important factors in improving sales are:

• The total bounce rate needs to be as low as possible.
• Viewers need either quality engagement time or a great deal of trust.
• Healthy traffic needs to be effectively converted into buyers.

The following eight tips should make these factors easy to improve.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Everyone that’s developing an online presence can likely benefit from a strong SEO campaign. By simply tapping into traffic that search engines already have, businesses can often exponentially improve their results within a matter of months. A full analysis of both potential keywords and current standings is a great place to start, but as stated early, traffic alone is not enough. Simply succeeding at the goal of the higher view count is not always enough to improve profits.

Maximizing profit through search engine optimization is all about quality, consistency and availability. People love clear descriptions that lead them to exactly what they’re looking for. They love sites that load quickly and provide them with something that they already wanted. However, people are only half of the equation; search engines are also part of the picture. On-page and off-page SEO needs to be completed with this in mind. Proper use of anchor text, backlinks, meta and html tags are all as valuable as being clear and inviting to a potential buyer. Many people use deceptive tactics in their SEO efforts, but these people are typically one Google algorithm update away from losing everything that they’ve worked for. Long-term, quality content is the way to go.

Write About Your Site

Getting written content out there is a great decision. Develop content and promote it through as many relevant forms of social media as possible. This also includes forums, but the only real limit to promotion is that whatever is being promoted needs to find its way to the right people. The viewers must be interested, or the effort was largely in vain. However, even a relevant viewer might get the wrong impression without quality articles and press releases. Always aim for quality.

Link Strategies

Strategic link usage is the easiest way to a smooth ride through the typically difficult stages of web development. Quality links are the foundation of success with rankings, but building them can be tedious and confusing. Many businesses fail to realize that regular, everyday people will do most of their linking for them if those people feel that they have found a quality site. They will tell their peers, friends and family, and this effect will eventually lead to a higher Page Rank. It also increases the likelihood of receiving free, effortless links from other high PR, highly reputable sites. Link farm schemes can have some positive results, but they are like a house of cards that has no real security. Submitting links to directories and portals is the safe, ideal route to take. Additionally, feel free to use our site submitter tool to gain a few easy links.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is an excellent, low-cost way of building and maintaining a healthy following. Find a suitable free or paid newsletter tool and regularly send viewers updates, information and other valuable resources. Simply add a sign-up form somewhere to your site, promote the list and start sending emails. However, remember that everyone hates spam, so emails should always be sent with courtesy and intelligence. Mail lists that can be bought are impractical and often closer to a scam than a genuine business decision.

Paid Traffic (SEM)

Start a Pay Per Click campaign on the important keywords of your site. You can use the services of Google Adwords or Microsoft’s Adcenter. It’s also an excellent idea to bid on banner ads for advertising with high-traffic, relevant websites. Be sure to investigate the site that’s offering the ad, and remember to get advice from an online marketing agency in order to avoid losing money.

The Success Mix

The idea route for every business is bound to be slightly different. Combining all of the above tips intelligently, however, is recommended for all businesses looking to expand and grow. Some businesses might not make a penny from social media, while others might rely on it as their primary income source. Ultimately, it’s up to each business to find out what works best for them. Quality, freshness, innovation and communication are always in demand, so remember to think outside the box, be creative and focus on positive results.

Social Media

The use of social media is rapidly increasing worldwide, and there’s a reason for that. A Facebook page is the most basic of places to start. Think of each social media account as its own embassy for welcoming new viewers. They will serve as excellent forms of publicity. Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are all highly recommended as well. Social bookmarking is also a great strategy, and our bookmark tool can help you to check the number of bookmarks that your business earns.