All Traffic is Not Created Equal

[David Jackson]

In the movie "Sling Blade," Billy Bob Thornton plays a mentally impaired man who works at a small engine repair shop. One day, after successfully repairing a lawnmower that no one else could fix, the owner of the repair shop asked Thornton what had been the problem with the lawn mower. Thornton deadpanned, "It ain't got no gas in it."

Even though he was mentally impaired, Thornton had the common sense to check the gas tank first. That same logic applies to website traffic. If your traffic isn't converting, you have to check the most obvious cause first - the traffic itself.

Or, more specifically, the origin of the traffic. If your traffic is originating from traffic exchanges or guaranteed traffic programs, it's garbage traffic, and it's not going to convert - or will convert very poorly. If you're advertising on websites or in publications that have nothing at all in common with your website, that traffic is not going to convert. And if you're exchanging links with websites that have zero relevance to your website, that traffic is not going to convert.

All traffic is not created equal - and when it comes to traffic, quality trumps quantity every time. If you want higher conversions and more sales, focus your energy on attracting quality, targeted traffic to your website.

I promise, it will make all the difference in the world!

David Jackson

[StephenT]

Thanks David! That's something I think we all need to remember!

[David Jackson]

Thanks David! That's something I think we all need to remember!

No problem, Steve. Thanks!

David Jackson

[jkgourmet]

David, thank you for this. It's a valuable reminder.

Based on what little I've learned, I'm thinking that this philosophy also needs to be part of the selection of a niche and looking at potential keywords - especially looking for those long tail key word searches.

Would you agree with that?

If so, I can definately see where I went off track on the site I have just started. I can get it back on track, I know, but since I'm just about to begin working on a more targeted, product oriented site (versus the blog format in www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com), it would be good to start the new one RIGHT.

[Lynn Terry]

I don't think you're off track with this site at all, Jeanette. What did you mean by that, exactly? All you have to do is use longtail keyword phrases in the post titles for your posts on that domain...

See: Choosing Keywords & Phrases (http://www.clicknewz.com/2077/seo-content-choosing-keywords-phrases/)

[jkgourmet]

I don't think you're off track with this site at all, Jeanette. What did you mean by that, exactly? All you have to do is use longtail keyword phrases in the post titles for your posts on that domain...

See: Choosing Keywords & Phrases (http://www.clicknewz.com/2077/seo-content-choosing-keywords-phrases/)

That's part of what I'm referring to, Lynn. As I've been writing my posts and the titles, I've found myself concentrating almost entirely on making them interesting, or cute, or funny, or helpful. I have NOT been making attempts to use those keywords much at all.

(Blog writing is a new skill for me. I'm used to formal business writing, and to some degree, writing sales copy. But I AM very good at marketing, selling, relationship building on the telephone, so I find that I write blog posts kind of with that voice. And that's comfortable for me and a little fun, too.)

I'm thinking I have to be a little more cognizant of using those LTKW in the blog posts and titles. Write around them rather than just write. Does that make any sense at all?

[Lynn Terry]

Yes it does - but all is not lost. You can just pick up from here and start including keyword phrases as you go. ;) I have plenty of "fun posts" at ClickNewz that were intended for my readers since I have a regular readership, in addition to the posts that are meant for good positioning to attract even more visitors. A good mix is great!

[David Jackson]

I've been writing my posts and the titles, I've found myself concentrating almost entirely on making them interesting, or cute, or funny, or helpful. I have NOT been making attempts to use those keywords much at all.

Jeanette, it's never too late to start doing things the right way. Obviously, you're aware that you could be doing things better, and that's the first step to improving. With your attitude, desire and willingness to learn, you'll be just fine!

David Jackson

[jkgourmet]

Never thought about quitting - just want to do it better on this one, and right from the start of the NEXT one.

(but it's nice to hear the positive feedback. Thanks)

[PpcJen]

David - thanks for taking the time to write this. It's really good advice.

I have a range of different sites, and each one has its strong points and it's weak points. I've always (until now) thought the problem with the non-converting sites was my adcopy. Perhaps it is the traffic. Most likely it is a combination of the two.

But it's nice to know I can work on improving it either way.
Thx!

[David Jackson]

David - thanks for taking the time to write this. It's really good advice.

I have a range of different sites, and each one has its strong points and it's weak points. I've always (until now) thought the problem with the non-converting sites was my adcopy. Perhaps it is the traffic. Most likely it is a combination of the two.

My pleasure, thank you! Jen, if you don't mind me asking, how are you generating traffic to your sites? Let's see if we can figure out what the problem is.

David Jackson

[David Jackson]

I've always (until now) thought the problem with the non-converting sites was my adcopy. Perhaps it is the traffic. Most likely it is a combination of the two.

Jen, or anyone else reading this - when tweaking your website, only tweak one item at a time. Why? Because if you tweak multiple items at the same time and see an improvement, you won't know for certain which tweak caused the improvement.

David Jackson