<h1>10 Tips: Increase Traffic and Convert Visitors</h1>

The goal of any website is to increase their traffic and convert their visitors to customers. The ratio of visitors to customers is known as the conversion rate, and really, increasing that is more important than actually increasing your visitors... but, they are often associated with one another, because, obviously, if you have more visitors, your chances of gaining customers is higher.

Having more traffic costs you more money, though. Whereas, conversion does not. Therefore, the following 10 tips are gonna focus more on the conversion aspect.

1. Have an Easy-to-Use Website

   This may seem like an obvious point, but many websites out there are far from easy to use. Make sure it's accessible, and viewable by most browsers. Ensure you have all the information your customers need, laid out in a clear and organised manner. If a visitor has difficulty finding what they need, they will leave. Make no mistake, you are not the only one online offering that product or service.

2. Target a Niche

   Whatever business you have or are starting up, it will do better if it targets a smaller audience looking for more specific things. You are not gonna compete with superstores who offer anything and everything, there's no point in trying, not to mention that it would be a lot more work and cost you a lot more money.
   
   If you specialise in a niche, you decrease your competition and increase your conversion rate. You may decrease your overall visitors, but the visitors you do get will be more likely to convert.

3. Advertise

   Advertising with Google's AdWords is a great way to get more clicks. Your site will be at the top of the user's search results when the keywords you choose are searched... and you pay what you want per click, so you can easily budget it. Also, advertise on facebook, which allows you to target people with specific interests or within a certain demographic.
   
   Also, be sure to have relevent ads on your site... perhaps even from independent or local businesses which you support.

4. Use Social Networking Sites

   Join social networking sites! Mingle with your potential customers. Word of mouth is a great way to gain customers, and it's free! By putting yourself in the various circles, you increase your chances of being come across. Offer special deals through your social network page to drive customers to your site. And have sharing icons on your site, too... encourage people to spread your name!

5. Use Google AdWords Keywords Tool

   Scope out which keywords would benefit your site the most. Choose keywords with low competition, but relatively high search volumes. Also, if you're going to advertise with AdWords, then choose those keywords carefully, too - if possible, find keywords whose search results don't currently have ads on the results page, or maybe one.

6. Content on your Site

   Search engines like content. So, make sure you've got it... properly structured and tagged. And by content I mean actual text, not ads and images.

7. Have a Clear Call-to-Action on Every Page

   It's important for your visitors to know what you want them to do. Why are they there? And where do they need to go next? You are more likely to lose them if you don't have your call-to-action in plain view on each page.

8. Gain Trust

   If your visitors trust you, they are more likely to become customers. Have an address for your business, and advertise your phone number. Show a privacy policy and explain shipping procedures. Don't hide information from your users cos you think it will help you. Be honest, and professional.

9. Know your USP (Unique Selling Point)

   ... and make sure your customers know it! Most businesses have a USP, whether they know it or not. It may be your customer service, homemade product, knowledge base... it could be any number of things. Whatever it is, advertise it, use it to your advantage! It's not only doing you a favour, but your customers as well, cos they may very well want whatever unique thing you have to offer!

10. Update you Website

    Lastly, keep your website up-to-date. Make sure all information is current, including prices, phone numbers, hours.... As well as the look! Outdated websites will appear so, and they will lose trust from your visitors. Make sure to visit your site often and review it, compare it to others, or get other people to review your site. Other people's perspectives and opinions do matter, as you have this site for them to use, not yourself. Also, by frequently visiting your site, you will be more likely to notice any bugs, errors or typos... or even get privy to a hacking that's taken place.