If you’re getting low traffic to your website, it’s simply because no one is seeing your content or your content isn’t relevant.
Google stipulates relevant content to be one that matches the same keyword as your search query, and one that other websites are linking to.
However, this is not the only way to bring exposure to your website. You can also share your website content on social media or promote your content via email newsletters.
Below, I’ve highlighted some of the reasons why your website may be getting low traffic and possible solutions to fix this issue.
#1: Your website isn’t mobile-friendly
In 2014, 20% of all search engine activity came from smartphones and another 9% came from tablets. This statistic shows the growing number of mobile phone users around the world.
A mobile-friendly website is essentially when your regular website shrinks down to be small enough to display on a mobile device. Share on XIs your website easy to navigate? There are four basic elements of a mobile-friendly website:
- Responsive page display
- Readable fonts
- Proper text formatting
- Optimized media display
A lot of people browse the internet with their smartphones and if your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you may be missing out on traffic and conversion.
Read also: How to boost sales using non-promotional content
#2: Your website is too slow
Closely tied to a mobile-friendly website is the page load time.
Years ago, this might not have been an issue – but in today’s fast paced world – website load time is as important as the content on your site.
Research shows that most internet users expect a website to load within 2 seconds or less. 53% of mobile website visitors will leave if a webpage doesn’t load within 3 seconds. Share on X
So, when your website takes time to load, you’re losing possible conversions and profit.
Page speed also influences how your content ranks on Google. The search engine giants announced in July 2018 that page speed will be a ranking factor for mobile searches.
According to Google, a slow page may still rank highly if it has great, relevant content. But it’s preferable to optimize for speed and also create relevant content.
The following tools can help you analyse your page load time and also offer relevant insights:
#3: Your website doesn’t have the “right” content
Does your website content address your audiences’ pain points? Is it entertaining or educational?
Firstly, for your website to rank high on Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERP), your content needs to be relevant to your audience.
According to Google, the most basic signal that information is relevant is when a webpage contains the same keywords as your search query.
The keywords should appear on your page, headings or body of text.
Similarly, Google also considers your content relevant if prominent websites are linking to your page. All these put together signals that your content is relevant to your target audience.
Unfortunately, you can do the above and still not appear on the first page if your website isn’t mobile-friendly.
Focus more on the quality of your content and ensure your website is mobile optimized.
Read also: 4 reasons why every content marketer needs to develop a content ideation process
#4: You don’t promote your website
While you’re waiting for SEO to work its magic, you also need to play your part.
Share your website content to various social networks and reading platforms such as Medium.
Chances are that you came across this content because it was shared via social networks.
According to statistics, the Washington Post’s newsletters average a 30% open rate, while PostUp client 1440 Media routinely earns a 50+% open rate.
These statistics don’t lie. Sharing your website content via email newsletters can help you get your content to those who have shown interest in your post.
Read also: How to use instagram stories for small businesses
Conclusion
If your content is high-quality and relevant, it has a good chance of showing up on search engine results pages.
In addition to creating relevant content, you also need to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate and loads pretty fast.
Getting traffic to your website takes time, hard work and patience. You need to promote your website, share it on various social networks and boost it with email newsletters.
Great article.
Thanks for the feedback Diana!
Much appreciated.