Why is my updated website still not attracting traffic?

[UnicornMagic1]

I have had a shopify store for a few years but let it sit for the last 18 months.

I have just returned to my business and I have been working on updating my website for about 8 weeks now.

Why do I still have no traffic?

Can you please tell me what I need to do to my site to get customer visits?

Thankyou

[namitjindal]

Hey @UnicornMagic1 ,

There are two parts to making sale on Shopify:

1) Getting the visitor to your store
2) Convincing that visitor to purchase from you

You have been working on Number 2 (AKA Improving your website)

Website traffic has nothing to do with how your store looks and has everything to do with who knows about your store / how people find you. 

Here are some short term / long-term strategies you can use:

Strategies for Instant Traffic:

1. Paid Advertising: Using Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or other paid advertising platforms can quickly drive traffic to your store. Ensure that your targeting is well-optimized to attract relevant visitors.

2. Flash Sales and Promotions: Announce a time-limited sale or promotion on social media and through email newsletters to create a sense of urgency and draw in customers quickly.

3. Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers for a shoutout or a product review. The followers of these influencers can quickly flood to your site.

4. Social Media Posts: Engaging posts or stories on social media platforms, particularly if they have a call-to-action, can drive immediate traffic.

5. Email Blasts: If you have an existing email list, sending out an email with an enticing offer can bring in traffic almost instantly.

6. Coupon and Deal Sites: List your discounts or special promotions on coupon and deal sites to attract bargain hunters.

Strategies for Gradual, Long-term Traffic:

1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) takes time but yields long-lasting results.

2. Content Marketing: Regularly publishing blog posts, articles, and other content can slowly build an audience and drive organic traffic over time.

3. Building a Community: Creating and nurturing a community around your brand on platforms like Facebook Groups can take time, but it’s an excellent way to generate consistent, long-term traffic.

4. Customer Referral Programs: Implementing a referral program can slowly grow your customer base as your existing customers refer friends and family.

5. Brand Building and Public Relations: Building a strong brand through public relations efforts and collaborations can take time but creates a lasting presence that drives traffic over time.

6. Organic Social Media Growth: Consistently posting valuable content and engaging with your audience on social media can gradually build a following, which can translate into steady traffic.

7. Building Backlinks: Actively working to get other websites to link back to your store can enhance your SEO and gradually increase your organic traffic.

Remember that while the first set of strategies can get you immediate traffic, they might not always result in sustainable growth or the highest return on investment. The long-term strategies usually require more effort and patience but can be more cost-effective and result in a more loyal customer base in the long run. Combining both short-term and long-term strategies can be the key to sustained growth for your Shopify store.

[UnicornMagic1]

Thankyou for your detailed reply. I am trying a lot of your recommendations already. I guess I am just impatient for results. I will persevere thankyou. 🙂

[flareAI]

Hello @UnicornMagic1,

Greetings! I am Gina from the flareAI app helping Shopify merchants get $6Million+ in sales from Google Search, on autopilot.

Can you share your store URL for review?

If you're experiencing a lack of traffic to your Shopify store after returning to your business and updating your website, there are several factors to consider and actions you can take to increase customer visits.

* Search engine optimization (SEO)
Ensure your website is optimized for search engines. Conduct keyword research and incorporate relevant keywords into your website's content, titles, meta tags, and descriptions. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Consider optimizing your website's structure, URLs, and image alt tags for better visibility in search engine results.

* Content marketing
Create a content marketing strategy to attract and engage your target audience. Publish blog posts, articles, videos, or other forms of content that provide value and establish your expertise in your industry. Share your content on social media platforms, relevant forums, and communities to drive traffic back to your website.

* Social media marketing
Leverage social media platforms to promote your store and drive traffic. Identify the platforms most popular among your target audience and create engaging content tailored to each platform. Utilize social media advertising, engage with your audience, and collaborate with influencers or complementary brands to expand your reach.

* Email marketing
Build an email list of interested customers and engage with them through regular newsletters, promotions, or personalized offers. Encourage website visitors to subscribe to your mailing list by providing incentives or exclusive content. Send targeted emails to drive traffic back to your website.

* Influencer marketing and collaborations
Partner with influencers or relevant brands in your industry to tap into their existing audience and gain exposure. Collaborate on content, giveaways, or co-branded campaigns that drive traffic to your website. Choose influencers or partners who align with your target audience and brand values.

* Paid advertising
Consider investing in paid advertising to generate initial traffic and awareness. Platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or Instagram Ads allow you to target specific demographics and interests. Set a budget, define your target audience, and create compelling ad campaigns to drive traffic to your website.

* Referral programs and customer incentives
Implement referral programs or customer incentives to encourage your existing customers to refer your store to their friends and family. Offer discounts, rewards, or exclusive offers for successful referrals. Word-of-mouth marketing can help drive organic traffic and boost customer visits.

* Website performance and user experience
Ensure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and provides a seamless user experience. Optimize your website's navigation, layout, and product presentation to make it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for. Provide clear calls-to-action and simplify the checkout process to minimize cart abandonment.

Remember, building traffic takes time and consistency. Continuously analyze your data, monitor customer behavior, and adapt your strategies based on insights. Experiment with different marketing channels and tactics to find what works best for your specific business and target audience.

Read this Shopify blog on 21 Real Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website (2023)

Let me know if you have any questions.

Gina

[UnicornMagic1]

Thankyou. Website is portraitsthatbite.com

[Alecberr]

Firstly, ensure your website is well-optimized for search engines. This includes keyword research, meta tags, and high-quality content. Make it easy for potential customers to find you when they search online.

[Lawky]

It sounds like you've put in a lot of effort into updating your Shopify store, which is great! Getting traffic to a revamped website can take time.