You probably realize that if you hope to turn your website into a lead generating machine, you’ll need to focus on two things: (1) getting high-quality, targeted traffic to your website and (2) getting those visitors who are interested in your services to raise their hands in some way (such as calling you, filling out a web form, or joining your mailing list) to let you know they are interested. Here are nine ways you can get more traffic to your website.

1. Pay-Per-Click Advertising – Pay-per-click advertising is the quickest way to get targeted traffic to your website. Google Adwords allows you to bid on keywords that you want to be listed for and place ads in search results. Signing up for Adwords is a quick and easy process and it’s fully customizable – so if you only want people searching within your geographical area to see your ads, that’s not a problem. And, you only pay when people click on your ad so you don’t need a huge up-front budget to get started.
2. On-site Website Optimization – If you want your website to show up in search engines for specific keywords, you’ll need to include those keywords on pages within your website. Take some time to research specific keywords through tools like Google’s Search-Based Keyword Tool to learn what people are actually searching for or Google’s Adwords Keyword Research Tool to learn what keywords advertisers are bidding on. Then, write (or hire someone to write) website content that includes those keywords in your titles and body text. Learn more about search engine optimization.
3. Submit Articles to Directories and Real Estate Related Blogs – Write 400-700 word articles and submit to article directories like EzineArticles.com, which allow you to include a brief author bio and a link back to your website at the end of your article. Or offer to guest blog on real estate related blogs if they include a link back to your website.
4. Submit Online Press Releases – Sites like PRWeb.com offer an affordable way for you to get the word out about new reports you offer, events you are holding, or even your opinion on changes in your local real estate market.
5. Link Exchanges – Link exchanges still have their place in online marketing, regardless of what you hear. The key is to trade links with other sites where both of you will benefit from enhancing your sites’ traffic. For instance, you can exchange links with other real estate companies, mortgage companies, home inspectors, lawn care professionals, staging companies, and other businesses that your visitors might benefit from. 
6. Viral Marketing – Viral marketing allows you to get the word out about your services at a low cost to you. To successfully get people talking about your services, you must offer either something of value (like a special report, audio program, or video) or something entertaining (like a funny or interesting video that people would share with friends) and promote it throughout your website and in your advertising. Learn how you can use social media to market your website.
7. Video Blog On YouTube – Create a local real estate channel on YouTube and film yourself talking about your local real estate market, homes you are listing, interesting places in the neighborhood, and quick interviews with other real estate professionals. You can buy a Flip Video Camcorder for about $100 and record short videos on-the-go. Then, plug the camcorder into your computer and upload directly to YouTube using its built-in software.
8. Join Forums and Online Communities – Look for websites, blogs, and forums where your target market is actively participating and join in the conversation. With sites like this, you can’t actively promote your services. Instead, demonstrate your expertise and credibility by answering questions and talking about your personal experiences. Many forums and blogs do allow you to post your website url with your comments.
9. Offer a Newsletter – By offering an email newsletter, you can stay in touch with your website visitors and get them to return to your site. You can also encourage them to forward your newsletter to any friends and family members who might also benefit, and thus get new subscribers. Aweber is a great email service provider that allows you to virtually automate your email subscriber list, send out newsletters, and track who reads them.

Getting more traffic to your website isn’t rocket science, but it does take focused effort. By putting just a few of these strategies into place, you’ll start to see your visitor traffic rise dramatically.

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