8 DIY Ways to Get More Visits to Your Website
Every business needs a website to survive, but is your website getting as many visitors as you’d like? What business wouldn’t want to increase visits? After all, when potential customers visit your website, you can increase brand awareness, educate consumers and drive revenue.
However, you might be stumped on how to get more people to visit your website. Not to worry! Here are 8 ways to increase visits to your business website. This list of actionable, do-it-yourself ideas is aimed at busy businesses just like yours.
1. Register your business with online directories
There are dozens of online directories that you can take advantage of. Think of them like electronic telephone books, but better. With online directories you can create a business profile, which includes a link to your website.
There are several benefits to online directories like this. First, you can make them as detailed as you’d like. From business hours to a profile picture, you decide how much information to put in. Second, they’re free. Any opportunity to increase your audience through a free service is worth looking into.
2. List your business website in your email signature
You’re constantly writing and sending emails, right? Well, every email you send is an opportunity to get your website out there. So make sure your business website is listed and “clickable” in your email signature.
3. Facebook ads
When it comes to social media advertising, you have a lot of options. However, one of the easiest ways to bump your website visits is through Facebook ads. When you set up an ad, Facebook asks you to pick an advertising goal. In this case, you can select “increase website traffic”as your objective.
Once your objective is set, you have several ad options. A lot of small businesses choose to set up an ad that appears in the News Feed. This ad typically offers a discount on a product or service, which gives customers enough incentive to click on the ad and land on your website to place an order.
4. Leverage your LinkedIn audience
Many businesses don’t have time to write and manage a blog. Instead, you can use your LinkedIn page as a mini blog. LinkedIn has a popular publishing feature that allows you to post articles right to your page. Your connections can see the post in their feeds.
Not sure what to write about? Share your thoughts on recent industry changes, write a post about a news story that involves your line of work or talk about a new tool that’s helped your business grow. You want to write something that’s thought-provoking, not promotional.
This idea is especially helpful for service-based businesses. When you’re selling a service, you want to show your authority in the niche.
Of course, to send visitors back to your website, you have to include links. Make sure you link several spots within your post to lead people to your website.
5. Send visit-boosting emails
With so many websites out there, you need to remind your audience to visit yours. How? Emails.
Your email list is one of the most valuable marketing tools you have in your arsenal. By sending targetted messages to your customers or clients, you can funnel them to your website to schedule an appointment or make a purchase.
So, which emails offer the visitor influx you’re looking for? While every email has the potential to boost your visit numbers, here are 3 emails that we suggest sending:
Promotional email
Get your customers to visit your website by emailing a promotion or an incentive. If you sell a product, offer a discount or free shipping. If you don’t sell a product, you can still use promotional emails, you just have to be more creative.
An insurance business can offer free consultations, a cleaning service can offer 10 per cent off services, a software company can offer free demonstrations to any company that sets up an appointment and a furnace repair company can offer homeowners a free energy audit. There are no limits to promotional ideas. Offer free webinars, small gifts or e-books.
Email invitation
Hosting an event? Send invitations via email. First, make sure you have a landing page dedicated to your upcoming event on your website. Make sure that page has all of the event details on it, including a way to RSVP for the event.
Now, head over to your email account and prepare an invitation. The call-to-action in this email will take the reader right to your landing page.
In addition, the email should contain at least one link to your website’s main page.Announcement emails
When you have a new product or service, share it with your email subscribers. Describe what’s new, how the item benefits them, the cost and how they can get it. Your call-to-action should direct customers to your website, where they can sign up for the service or buy the new product.
6. Invest in affordable marketing materials
Headed to a conference? Is your business exhibiting at a local trade show? Anytime you’re meeting-and-greeting people, you should be able to offer some sort of “takeaway”.
Of course, you have to be careful. You can spend a lot of money on business swag, so you’ll want to come up with a plan. Have something like a brochure or postcard. Offer an educational reference that allows customers to recall your business or service later on.
We also suggest a trinket or fun giveaway. Whether you opt for branded pens or key chains, it’s up to you.
7. Go old school
Handing out marketing materials might seem a little old school, but there are plenty of offline ways to promote your business that you should consider. Here are a few ideas:
Put your website on your business card
Every time you hand out a business card, you’re introducing a prospective customer or client to your business. If they want to learn more later on, they’ll look to your business card to get more information.
Become a public speaker
Offer to speak at your local chamber of commerce meeting and be sure to include your website in your presentation.
Hang flyers in local establishments
Ready to launch a new product? Hosting an upcoming sale? Create a quick flyer with tear-off website information and hang them at local hotspots, like notice boards and community centres.
Sponsor an event
When local charities are looking for sponsors, consider contributing. Look for possibilities where your name, logo and website are placed in front of an audience. For example, a local theatre company could highlight your business and website in its programs.
Use your vehicle to advertise
Every business owner travels around town. Why not advertise while you’re headed to the bank or post office? Consider purchasing a sticker for your back window or a magnet for the side of your car that has your business name and website on it.
8. Try something out of the ordinary
When you’re trying to promote your website, it’s good to get creative. Here are a few out-of-the-box ideas to turn heads and drive website visits at the same time.
Chalk art advertising
Know an artist? Several brands have had success with chalk art advertising.
Flash mob
Ready to get your groove on? Try a flash mob to promote your website. What’s a flash mob? It’s a group of people who meet in a public place and break out into a choreographed dance. Leave your website address in chalk on the sidewalk behind you or hand out flyers to the audience after.
Project your website on your building
Turn heads with a projection of your business name and website on your building. Projection advertising is a popular way to drum up attention, so why not give it a try for your business? You can go all out and hire a company to do something like this or you can buy a small projector and project your website address in your window at night.
SOURCE: Vertical Response
