Attracting Targeted Visitors

The Importance of Targeted Visitors

A client once asked me why my own website wasn't set as my browser's default page. He believed that by doing so, I would generate more hits for my site. However, I explained that a high number of hits doesn't necessarily equate to a successful online business. What truly matters is attracting visitors who can benefit from my services and potentially become clients.

Many new website owners are overly concerned with increasing their site's hit count. They want to see their numbers grow exponentially, but they often become disheartened when these hits don't translate into sales. The truth is, random visits are only beneficial for websites that rely on advertisement revenue. Even then, these hits need to be targeted. Accidental visitors hold little to no value.

In contrast, 50 targeted hits are more valuable than 5,000 untargeted ones. Targeted visitors are those who are actively seeking a site like yours. They are more likely to engage with your site, potentially leading to business transactions. Even if they don't make a purchase on their first visit, they may bookmark your page or subscribe to your newsletter.

Defining Your Website's Goal

The first step in attracting a targeted audience is defining your website's goal. Are you aiming to provide information for existing clients or attract new ones? Once you've determined this, try to view your website from the perspective of a potential user. Gather feedback from friends and existing clients to improve your site's user experience.

Before designing your website, consider the following:

• Who is your target audience? What is their socio-economic background, gender, age range, and educational level?
• What are their internet habits? Are they frequent online shoppers or first-time buyers?
• What hardware and software will they use to access your site? What is their internet connection speed? Are they located in regions where internet usage is costly?

While it may not be feasible to accommodate all these factors, they can guide your website's design and functionality.

Attracting Your Preferred Traffic

Once your website is designed and live, you can take the following steps to attract your preferred audience:

• Define your keywords accurately for search engines. Narrowing down your keywords can help you attract a more focused audience.
• Create a concise description of your index page that includes searchable words.
• When submitting your URL to directories like Yahoo!, choose the most specific heading possible.
• Include major searchable words in the first paragraph of your website content.
• Use compelling page titles. While some experts recommend using your company name as the title, search engines like Google use the title to index pages.
• Include a compelling signature in your email messages. This should include a brief description of your business and a link to your URL.
• Participate in online discussions and debates on message boards and bulletin boards. This can help spread the word about your business.

By following these steps, you can attract targeted visitors to your website, leading to more meaningful engagement and potential business transactions.