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Here's how to get lots of traffic and good conversions

by John Romaine
29 replies
DIVERSIFY YOUR TRAFFIC SOURCES!

I'm not here to preach, I'm just here to show evidence that Google is NOT the only source of good converting traffic, and that not only is it dangerous to focus your entire business just on SEO and Google, but if you ignore all other potential traffic sources - you are missing out BIG TIME.

Have a look at this graphic. This is taken from my Google Analytics account. This is for one of my own sites (data is captured for this entire year Jan til now) and as you can see, Google comes in 15th.

Sure Google has the potential to bring in a lot of traffic, but as many of you know, if you build your business JUST on Google (as Alexa always says) you're just one algorithm change away from total disaster.

(the section in shaded grey are conversions)

#conversions #good #lots #traffic
  • Profile picture of the author gbengustic
    Well said. So where is the evidence ?
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  • Profile picture of the author Antonio J.
    The evidence is the screenshot obviously. I know I have seen similar statistics on some of my sites and I was pretty surprised that, while I thought that I was just getting traffic form Google, there were so much more traffic sources.
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  • Profile picture of the author gbengustic
    So what other sources does your traffic come from.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by gbengustic View Post

      So what other sources does your traffic come from.
      Read this.
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  • Profile picture of the author brentb
    Yeah, don't rely on Google....
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  • Profile picture of the author icoachu
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by icoachu View Post

      Google is still your #2 source of traffic - #1 is direct traffic.
      It's his #15th source of traffic. It's even less than that on many of my own

      Just goes to show you how POWERFUL SEO is.
      Does it? He shows evidence that it's his #15th source of traffic and you make a statement that it's the #2 source.

      How does that show how "POWERFUL" SEO is
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      • Profile picture of the author AllanWard
        Originally Posted by Richard Van View Post

        It's his #15th source of traffic. It's even less than that on many of my own



        Does it? He shows evidence that it's his #15th source of traffic and you make a statement that it's the #2 source.

        How does that show how "POWERFUL" SEO is
        I think when you look at his figures you'll see that Google is his 2nd best source of traffic, but the 15th in terms of conversions.

        I'm assuming that conversions relates to the sale of a product? So could it be that traffic from Google is less likely to buy a product straight away?
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        • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
          Originally Posted by AllanWard View Post

          I think when you look at his figures you'll see that Google is his 2nd best source of traffic, but the 15th in terms of conversions.

          I'm assuming that conversions relates to the sale of a product? So could it be that traffic from Google is less likely to buy a product straight away?
          Ouch, well spotted, I stand corrected.

          I certainly don't think, however, as the conversions are so low, that it shows how "powerful" SEO is and Johns point about not relying on SEO and organic traffic is very much good advice.

          My point about SEO is more along the lines that it's not something you can possibly be 100% in control of. It's someone else's internet property and as we know, they do as they please.
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  • Profile picture of the author Daniel B
    I totally agree with you. You don't have to rely only on Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mr. Ken Russell
    Definitely agree with diversification.. relying on one traffic source is never a "reliable" idea.

    PS: We can still see what's blurred out =P
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    There are way too many people that think that Google is the only way that they should go with so they work their tail off to do SEO.

    OK, great.... So it is bringing you traffic and you are happy. Don't think that this will be the case for a long time. Your site may appear on page one but once Google takes it off, then what?

    You need to have a few places working for you at the same time. If not, you are setting yourself for total disaster.
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  • Profile picture of the author lastdual
    But a lot of that traffic is generated by contact lists, and where did those contacts come from? How many of those people who shared their email with you originally discovered your site via Google?
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  • Profile picture of the author himanuzo
    Don't depends on the Google as the only traffic source. Because Google always updates its algorithms and you have no control for it.

    Diversity many traffic sources (include Google) then build a list and so your business will be stable.
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  • Profile picture of the author zdan06
    That is one perfect issue that other marketers don't know about, they are only relying on what they know Google can bring them good chance, it is a good way to know more other options than the usual thing we rely on, but eventually it fails us.
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  • Profile picture of the author pusan
    No surprise at all.Definitely there are number of ways to drive traffic besides good ranked keywords in Google.I saw my conversion rate is good enough from my email marketing than getting ton of free traffic from Google.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    If you cant get traffic from Google, focus on indirect ways to get traffic to your site from it. There are a ton of ways to do this.
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  • Profile picture of the author Deeje
    Never put your eggs in one basket (wise old saying) diversify there are many many traffic alternative even if you have money for advertising. But hey John I'm blown away by your screen shot I didn't think google would come in at 15 but... even if it did your site screeny proves it pays to diversify. Traffic comes from all forms and many sizes.
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  • Profile picture of the author Surminga
    To those who are not yet really mixing it up in terms of where your traffic comes from and rely heavily on Google, do you want to wait until Google does its dance and shakes things up a bit leaving your site struggling.
    For some it may take the shock of this to start to use different sources but one way or another you are best to start using new sources such as social - which is incredibly easy and a lot more fun than creating backlinks on blogs and on google.
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  • Profile picture of the author hayfj2
    There are numerous channels online.

    There are many tactics we can use in each of these channels online.

    Google ironically has had excellent exposure with its branding, positioning and adoption....

    ...but that doesnt proclude other channels and tactics from working.

    Some people may just use the channel of social networking for 100% of their traffic.

    And that might just be using facebook. Others might use Linkedin.

    Others might using document sharing sites, and not do any SEO at all.

    Each to their own...

    ...and if the approach you're taking works - the good luck to you.

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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    nice johnny and agree.

    1) You only have to look around we are in 2012 now, nearly 2013 and there are 999 different ways to get traffic. Some of these are going to convert better than others, so its worth giving them a long hard test.

    2) Google is google and will always be google.... LOL. Ok let me explain. They think they have the monopoly and probably do, but dont let that take away from you and your business exploiting other ways, search engines and tactics that does not have to rely on google itself.

    3) Social media is quickly taking over, and videos for me are having such a massive success, and you do not have to rely on google much for this, maybe only titles and SEO a bit. But there is a viral aspect to these that can bring you a flood of traffic, optins and sales for you business. Too many people simply look past this thinking its only for friends, and to catch up with loves ones and family. No there are people killing it with YOUTUBE and FACEBOOK alone. So use them.
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  • Profile picture of the author troy23
    People may be killing it with YouTube, but enjoy it while you can.
    Big changes are on their way.
    Hopefully people have optimized their videos and kept within YouTube rules.
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  • Profile picture of the author KristofferIM
    By no means should you rely on Google traffic. They don't have anything invested in you.

    They don't care if your business goes dry over night.

    I prefer payed traffic every day of the week.
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  • Profile picture of the author MKCookins
    This is EXCELLENT advice!

    To maintain a long term business - you need multiple sources of traffic. This way if one fails - for example Google changing its algorithm, then you are not totally out of business.

    One of the fastest ways to get traffic though is have other people market for you! Build a list of raving fans - then they will promote your products or services.
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  • Profile picture of the author idigitalise
    This is excellent stuff. Yes, it is true. We should not only rely on Google to get traffic for the site. There are many source which are very useful. But, don't forget that most of the people come from Google only.
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    Sanjay Jadhav has been working with idigitalise for long time and handling social promotion activities. We are a London based digital agency London.

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    • Profile picture of the author connorbringas
      The only thing that analytics account is telling me is that the majority of your TRAFFIC is coming from google.

      What you should be learning from analytics is that you rank for keywords that dont apply to searchers. If you are getting that much traffic but barely any conversions, obviously something is wrong. Do your research and target a better audience to see better results.
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  • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
    So what's your problem? Are you not ranking well for any good search phrases?
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    :)

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    • Profile picture of the author SocialFansExpert
      Originally Posted by mojojuju View Post

      So what's your problem? Are you not ranking well for any good search phrases?
      No I get moderate traffic from various sources, I'm talking about buying traffic, sending traffic to my landing page and measuring conversions. Not sure if this exists actually.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dmarcotte
    I used to spend a lot of time working to make google like me - sometimes their changes would help me and sometimes they didn't - then I realized that less than 1% of my traffic comes from google searches. Most of it is from social media and other sources. Guess what? I don't worry about it anymore.
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