Off-site traffic generation is a concern for many Amazon sellers or newcomers to independent websites, but they often don't know how to do it. Naiba here shares his views on off-site traffic generation and how to drive traffic through Google SEO.
What is external traffic?
Literally, it means attracting traffic from places outside your own website.
This 'site' can be your Amazon store, your own independent website, or your accounts on other platforms.
My Understanding of Some Off-Site Traffic Generation Methods
Naiba has over 10 years of experience in website building. Although I haven't personally implemented every traffic generation method, I am familiar with most of them. I'll share them below.Some of my understanding of off-site traffic generation.
Currently common off-site traffic generation methods:
1. Google SEO Traffic Generation
Google SEO should be the preferred method for off-site traffic generation for most websites, but it requires the most time and effort. (In reality, many business owners choose to directly invest in advertising to drive traffic, but advertising costs will eventually increase. It is recommended to use other methods alongside advertising.)
Many people may not understand whatGoogle SEOSimply put, it means when you search for something related to your product on Google, you can see your website's content in the search results. If your website ranks in the top three, then the SEO effect can be considered good.
2. Video Website Traffic Generation (e.g., YouTube)
YouTube, TikTok, etc., can also be used for traffic generation. The image above shows the Google search results forbuilding your own websiteIn the search results, you can see that Naibabiji's ranking also has video results above it.
However, video traffic generation may not be suitable for all business websites; it depends on your website's products and services and whether there is a demand for video traffic.
For example, if hardly anyone searches for your product on video sites, then making videos for traffic is likely a waste of effort (though it's possible that one day searches will appear, and then you'll get traffic).
3. Traffic Generation from Other Platform Websites
In the search results for the term 'build your own website', the first is Zhihu, the second is a video, and the third is Naibabiji's article.
So in fact, Zhihu has higher authority than videos and other websites. Click to view the answer on Zhihu, as shown below:
You can see that the top answer quietly leaves a link to its own website and advertises.
Don't underestimate platforms like Zhihu; they have a lot of traffic themselves, plus traffic from search engines. If you can get a popular answer on a question that users are interested in, you can get a lot of traffic.
For foreign trade websites, you can drive traffic from overseas platforms such as Quora, LinkedIn, and industry forums. As long as you can leave your company information or contact details, it counts as off-site traffic generation.
For example, some websites are strict and don„t allow links, but you can leave a comment saying, “I read a tutorial on how to build a website on Naibabiji, it„s very good, you should check it out.“
People interested in building their own website will naturally search for Naibabiji, thus indirectly driving traffic to your site.
4. Social Media Traffic Generation
Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram can all be used for traffic generation. I can't give specific advice on how to operate them because I rarely do this type of traffic generation. One person's energy is limited, and Naiba is too lazy to manage these. However,if your product is suitable for these platformsfor traffic generation, and you put effort into it, the traffic can be very good.
5. Other Traffic Generation Methods
I've seen other traffic generation methods online, such as mass emailing, finding influencers to promote products, posting on classified sites, etc. Essentially, they all leverage other platforms for traffic.
Therefore,Naiba personally believes that off-site traffic generation methods can be summarized into two types: using search engine SEO for traffic generation or leveraging other platforms for promotional traffic generation.
If you have the energy, you can do both types of traffic generation simultaneously. Persistence will eventually yield results.
How to Use Google SEO for Traffic Generation
Naibabiji's current main traffic generation method relies on SEO, primarily targeting Google. Baidu SEO and Google SEO are two different approaches, with Google SEO being relatively easier.
For example, the article '2020 VPS Recommendation' in the image above. Naiba didn't initially intend it for ranking, but Google still gave it some ranking, and it gets a few visitors each month.
The top-ranked sites are those that earn affiliate commissions by recommending hosting. They basically get traffic through SEO (the first is Zhihu, which leverages a third-party platform but also uses SEO optimization techniques).
So, how can business websites or industry websites use Google SEO for traffic generation?
First, you need to understand the basic principles of Google SEO. Refer to:Before Doing Google SEO, Understand Google's Web Crawling Process and Search Algorithm
Next, you need to knowThe most basic Google SEO optimization workThen execute and output content.
Of course, when creating SEO-friendly content, there are differences between B2B and B2C websites; otherwise, the traffic may not be targeted and is less meaningful.
For example, selling LED lights. A B2B website could write „Top 10 LED companies in China“ or „Where in China produces the best quality LED lights“, and then insert your factory information and contact details.
For a B2C website, you could write „Recommended LED lights worth buying“ or „LED lights suitable for European and American styles“, and then insert product purchase links from your Amazon or independent store to complete sales.
Summary
Although there are many methods for off-site traffic generation, they generally fall into two categories: SEO optimization and leveraging other platforms.
Using SEO for traffic is the most effort-intensive but most enduring method, but many beginners find it hard to start.
Leveraging other platforms, as long as you are active on that platform, follow the rules, and share valuable content, you can get some traffic. It may be relatively easier.
Using other platforms for off-site traffic generation, if you follow basic SEO rules and rely on the platform's own authority, some keyword rankings can be achieved easily, and the results are quite good.
For a website to achieve sales, traffic generation is only the first step. After traffic comes conversion. To truly succeed, you need to continuously analyze and optimize your website content. This is why many people give up. Once you succeed, you will experience the benefits of having a website.