Organic traffic means visitors are able to find your website that don’t require you to pay for it.
There are a few ways to get new site visitors through organic means. But before you start with any of the strategies, it’s important to first define:
- who your target market is
- what your brand positioning should be
- what your competitive advantage is
This initial planning lays a solid foundation for you to drive qualified traffic to your website.
Here are three online tactics:
1. Content Marketing
Content marketing is a term coined by web agencies to overcome the stigma a lot of business owners have with the term “blog”. The idea is for your blog to generate new content on a regular basis so that Google and Bing will start to recognize your website as an authority in your industry. The thinking is, if your content (blog posts, infographics or videos) appeals to your ideal target market, they will then get to know, like and trust you more – and ultimately convert into a paying customer. Basically, over time, your blog posts establish you or the team at your company as specialists.
To put it simply, the more people click on your site, the more the pages on your website, the higher you’ll rank in Google and Bing search result pages.
And, as your expertise grows, it’s very likely your content will be linked to by different sites (a.k.a. backlinks). These backlinks are a how Google determines if your site should rank for another on a similar topic. High quality content not only garners backlinks and traffic to your site, but it sends a positive message to Google that your site merits a higher position.
2. Local Business Listings
Local business listings like Google My Business, Bing Places and Yelp are an easy way to improve your organic search rankings. Rushminute has compiled this list of free directories.
Paid services like Yext will list your website in dozens of directories, but Rushminute does not recommend using a paid service.
Of the three DIY methods for improving your organic SEO, this is by far the most important one since it’s an easy process, saves you monthly fees and greatly improves your local search ranking.
And be sure that for each of your directory listings that your name, address and phone number (NAP) is identical. Google and Bing get very easily confused if your NAP isn’t identical. 
3. Social Media Marketing
The truth is, Social Media is the simplest method of driving traffic to your website. And, sadly, the one most done wrong.
Many business owners don’t realize the purpose of using social media for business marketing is to drive traffic back to their website.
Social media management without SEO strategy is simply a PR campaign. In other words, all social media posts have what are know as ‘nofollow’ links. No matter how often you post of Facebook or Twitter, they never factor into your SEO rank.
Social media with SEO in mind is when you to connect to your social audiences and Google. When you post on social media with a link back to your site and someone clicks on it, Google takes notice.
Let Rushminute Help
There’s a lot that goes into creating and managing your website, local directory listings and social media. We know. We’ve helped dozens of clients in the U.S. strengthen their brands with website makeovers, social media management and digital marketing. If you’re in the process of updating your site or need a “go to web guy” to help you manage your digital properties, Rushminute can help. Contact Rushminute or schedule a virtual cup of coffee and we’ll talk about your vision and how a great website can help you achieve your business goals.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robbie Moore is the founder of Rushminute, a digital marketing agency in Lincoln, Nebraska. With 20+ years of experience in digital marketing, Robbie has worked with dozens of companies and organizations, large and small, around the globe. He also writes extensively about design, development, and business in general.
