10 things you can do to drive traffic to your website right now

Everyone needs more traffic to their website, so let’s talk about ways you can do it. My methods are the type of things you can do without spending a lot of money. I’m the type of person who would prefer to operate on a shoestring budget, rather than throw money at ineffective marketing plans.

1) Use search engine marketing to the fullest. Learn the basics of SEO and SEM and make sure you’re well represented in the search engines, particularily Google. Google delivers a ton of traffic.

2) Acquire links on tightly related websites. It’s not easy, and just might take some doing, but the best visitors you can get come from related websites. The highest conversions always come from visitors who are interested in the subject and already warmed up.

3) Go viral. The cheapest form of marketing is viral. It’s not always easy to come up with an idea that can spread virally, but once you find one, watch out. It could be the difference between sinking and swimming in the search engine rankings.

4) Build permanent links into your website. Always acquire permanent links through quality directories and other means. Don’t spend an arm and a leg, but don’t be afraid to invest in high quality

5) Contribute in the social networking space. It takes time, but it’s definitely worth it. Sites like Digg.com, Reddit, and Thumbd.net help your story spread.

6) Build credibility. Do not neglect something as obvious as a picture and a bio on your page. People need to trust your website in order to believe it. They trust the site when they trust you. Give them something to believe in.

7) Start a blog on your main website. It’s a great way to build credibility, initiate conversations with your visitors, and it’s the best way to drive fresh traffic to your website with a blog. I can think of 20 ways to build blog traffic, so if you don’t have one, you’re behind the curve.

Tell your friends and family and have them tell others. I know it’s corny but it works: you tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and so on and so on….

9) Use PPC programs like Google Adwords. Do this, but only with a very tight budget and a well-disciplined game plan. If you jump into Adwords without research, you will be screwed.

10) Get mentioned on the news or by a media source. Doing something newsworth is one way to do it, and building personal relations is another. Any mentions your website can get from off-line media sources are bound to build your readership fast.

If anyone has any questions about any of these methods, please feel free to post them up.