Increasing Traffic to Your Blog: Part One: Setting the Stage

One of the most common questions asked by online writers and bloggers is “How do I increase traffic to my blog or article?” There are many people out there eager to sell you this information or to sell you a program claiming it will increase traffic with little effort on your part. Although effortlessly gaining blog traffic is every writer’s dream, it is just that—a dream.

Increasing traffic to your blog or articles requires work—at least if you want to maintain that traffic. We have all experienced the occasional boon of web traffic that disappears as soon as it appears. This is often the result of a random link placed on a popular site. Unfortunately, spur-of-the-moment links disappear and people move on quickly. Depending on that rogue link is a bit like playing the lottery. When you hit, you may hit big--but if you hold out hoping to hit the jackpot, you are likely to be disappointed.

Building traffic to your blog begins long before promoting your blog. It begins with your blog design and content.

Until you have designed an attractive and effective blog that contains valuable content for the reader, getting blog traffic really shouldn’t be your major concern. Sure, it feels great to know you have readers, but without good content to keep them coming back—it really doesn’t matter.

Let me walk you through the process of designing and building your blog so you will soon be in the position to focus your attention of gaining traffic to your blog.

I won’t pretend to be an expert in web design. I’m not. But, I do know a thing or two about what makes a blog look good. You do too, if you stop and think for a moment. For many bloggers failing to stop and think is their biggest obstacle. Instead of thinking like a reader, they get bogged down thinking about making money from adsense and end up with a blog that screams, “Click me! Click me!” but offers very little valuable information for the reader.

Determine the Focus of your Blog.

Ideally, the topic is something you feel passionate about and can write about comfortably on a regular basis. If you intend to monetize your blog, and I assume you do, the topic should have a good search volume, too. If readers do not search for the information you provide, there will be no traffic to worry about. For tips on using the Google Adwords Tool to determine search volume, see Finding Keywords.

Blog Layout and Templates

Choose a clean, professional template that complements the content of your blog. Although those darling puppies or cute fluttering butterflies may appeal to your senses, if you want to be taken seriously, lose the cute images. Readers form opinions about your blog before they begin to read the content. An attractive blog grabs the reader’s attention and directs them to the page.

Choose a layout for you blog that is easy for readers to navigate. Complicated blogs that require several clicks to access information often frustrate readers and send them elsewhere for the information they seek. Take advantage of page tabs and post archives to direct your reader to the appropriate information.

Color and Font

Select a color scheme that enhances your blog. Loud, bright colors may be your style, but softer colors that are easy on the eye often appeal to readers. Remember the focus of your blog is your content—not your creative flair--unless of course, that is the focus of your blog. Get feedback from other bloggers, view your blog on multiple browsers and take the time to view it objectively. How your blog looks is an important step in creating a blog that will draw traffic.

Content

Before you begin to create content for your blog, jot down ideas for your blog posts. If you can’t come up with ten to 20 topics that pertain to the focus of your blog, consider whether you have chosen the right topic for your blog.

Create content with your reader in mind. Consider what your reader wants and needs and provide it. This is the time to use the best SEO practices, such as choosing the appropriate keywords for your article, creating titles and customizing your urls.

Adsense

Although it may seem like using more ads will increase your chances of earning money from your blog, this is rarely the case. Two or three well-placed ads that provide a service to the read are more effective than a lot of ads your reader really isn’t interested in. If your blog looks like one big advertisement, readers will see you as out to make money, compromising your credibility.

Once you have set up an attractive blog, created a solid base of content and used the best SEO practices to make that content searchable, you are ready to begin the task of gaining traffic to your blog. Part two of this article will address ways to promote your blog and gain traffic. In the meantime, take the time to tweak your existing blogs, or design new blogs, with your readers in mind, so you will be in a position to promote your blog.

Starting an Adsense Blog to Make Money Blogging Can be Profitable and Fun, Too!

Blogging isn't for everyone. It requires attention and the willingness to change directions, but you can make money blogging and blogging is a great way to build your writing skills in a "non-threatening environment" where you call the shots.

In the beginning, blogging can feel a bit like yelling at the moon and listening for your echo. You know your voice is out is out there, but you are the only one who can hear it. But, that is precisely when you need to cultivate patience and continue blogging whether you see immediate results or not. I think of my blogs as a garden. Planting the seeds is only the beginning. It may be exciting to see it as it begins to sprout and the first readers arrive, but without plenty of TLC, it will soon wither away.

By following a few simple techniques, you can build a solid reader base and healthy blog traffic.

Choosing Your Blog Topic

Choose your blog topic wisely before setting up a blog, especially if you intend to use adsense to monetize it to make money blogging. Although you may find rambling on about the escapades of Aunt Bertha entertaining, unless you are well known, its unlikely to attract the attention of a wide range of readers and may not attract the best ads from adsense. Choose a topic you are passionate about and can write about regularly.

Keyword Research when Setting Up a Blog

Before setting up a blog, research your intended blog topic to determine how many readers actually search for information similar to yours. The Google keyword adwords tool is quick and easy to use and returns valuable information about the popularity of your topic. See my post Finding Keywords for more information on using this tool.

SEO for Adsense Blogs

Optimizing your blog posts may seem counter intuitive—especially if you are looking for a place to simply write from the heart. But, if you want readers to find what you have written, using good SEO techniques is just as important on adsense blog as it is publishing on other sites.

Some bloggers are very successful by researching an assortment of keywords related to their blog topic and tailoring blog posts around those keywords. I personally prefer to research keywords once an idea strikes me.  Instead of looking for the high paying keywords, I use the keyword tool to find a variety of related words that have a good search volume to use in the content of my blog post. Because I’ve already researched the main topic of my blog, I already know what is likely to be successful. Using the keyword tool simply helps me refine my blog posts to appeal to a wide range of readers.

Setting up a Blog

The quality of your blog does matter and should be considered before setting up a blog. Choosing the first template you find and throwing a few words together in the hopes to make money from adsense isn’t enough. Take the time to consider your blog topic and choose a template that complements it. Adding content that directly relates to the blog topic may seem like a no brainer, but you might be surprised by the number of bloggers who jump on the “make money with adsense” band wagon thinking they will make money by slapping a blog together and targeting high paying keywords. It doesn’t work that way. I won’t bore you with the typical chastisements to use proper grammar and spelling as I’ve already covered that in Characteristics of Quality Writing.

Blog Posting

Online writers often ask, “How often do I need to post to my blog.” Although there are no hard and fast rules, most bloggers agree that regular blog posting keeps your readers coming back to see what you have to offer them. How often you post to your blog depends on your topic, reader expectations and your schedule—but three to four times a week appears to be the accepted norm. Some blogs require more frequent posts. My blog “In the Direction of Dreams” does best with daily posts, as it provides an inspirational quote, some reflection on the topic and expressions of gratitude. Other blogs may do well with several posts a week.

Blog Promotion

Don’t be afraid to promote your blog, but use caution. If others see you as simply trying to promote yourself without providing value, they will soon turn away. Join forums or communities centered around your topic. As you interact with members, provide a link to your blog, if it provides more information that may be of interest. Twitter, Facebook and other social promotion sites are a great way to get started, but shouldn’t be a substitute for promoting your blog to others who share your interests.