There are many ways to increase website traffic. Some web developers are turning to SEO practices, link buying and even subscribing to pay-for-click programs just to encourage more visitors to their sites. One of the least expensive ways of increasing website traffic is through article marketing.
What Is Article Marketing?
Article marketing is a form on online advertising. Basically, you write short articles about anything related to what you are trying to promote. After completing the piece, you have to make it available for distribution and publication in article directories, in the company website and even on someone else’s site.
As a rule, each completed article contains a resource box which contains vital information like: the name of the author, a very brief background of the author, and contact information of the author, etc.
Essentials Of Article Marketing
1. Write Quality Articles
Quality content is still the best way to make article marketing work.
You should remember that more than a million people log on to the Internet daily; and a good percentage of them post article after article about almost any topic.
When you write an article, try to incorporate all the information your potential reader may need or want. Internet users usually seek out valuable information like the ones that can help them solve their problems. If you can, write and post articles that have the same theme or subject of interest; and write as many articles as you can. This is a way of building up your reputation among your readers. Given time, (and if your articles are interesting enough,) you just may develop a following of readers who are interested in reading what you have to say.
2. Craft The Perfect Resource Box
As mentioned earlier, when you market your article, you should always have a resource box. Now, this is really important. This is the one place that can literally point your readers to your website. Here is how you should craft a perfect resource box:
The first thing that your readers should find in your resource box is your name and title, but more often than not, its just the name that people scout around for.
Do not forget to type in correctly your website address after your name.
After this, there is the compulsory USP or unique selling proposition: this is comprised of 1 to 3 brief and concise sentences as to what more you can possibly offer your readers.
Finally, you lead your readers into a call of action. This means that you are asking them to do one specific action: particularly asking them to visit your website.
3. Submit Your Articles
Obviously, submitting your article for publication is important, but where do you send them? The easiest choice is to send them to article directories or acquire article distribution services. Submission to article directories is mostly free, and these directories will allow you to add links to your website. Article distribution services have varying fees, but they allow your piece to be posted in more sites than article directories.

Is your blog in need of a boost? Here are 6 ways to improve your blogs performance and promote its growth.

1) Visit and comment on other blogs within your niche

As a blogger it’s common to visit other blogs within your niche both for camaraderie and research. Participating actively by leaving comments, when appropriate, is an excellent opportunity to gain readers by inserting your link within your signature file.

2) Post useful and entertaining content

Remember a blog is only as good as its content. Be sure what you post is relevant to the niche you’re in. Making your content entertaining and useful to the reader will also encourage them to not only return but also refer others to your site.

3) Listen to your readers

By reading and responding to comments left at your blog you can open channels of communication with your readers. This type exchange will give you a better idea of what they want and what improvements you can make to attract more visitors and maintain the readership at your blog. This will help develop a greater feeling of community amongst your readers.

4) Personalize your Blog

Learn to stand out from the crowd by being YOU. Be sure your blog has your imprint whether it’s in your delivery style (attitude, humor, or intensity) or perhaps blog design. Don’t be afraid to let it show since this is the single biggest factor that will differentiate you from the rest. By delivering your messages in a more natural fashion you will allow visitors to get a better sense of who you are, impressing upon them your individuality, while also making your posting much more enjoyable and less like work.

5) Use outbound Links to your advantage

Don’t be afraid to defer your readers to other sites for additional information. The school of thought here is simply to provide your visitors with as much useful content as possible. By providing outbound links you are clearly indicating you have the interest of your readers in mind and they will recognize and appreciate that. It is impossible to be ‘all things to all people’ therefore utilize the knowledge of others, when appropriate, to enhance your site as not only a source of information but also a site with its reader’s best interest at heart.

6) Blog Reviews

Here’s a solid way to entice both new and old readers to your site. On a scheduled basis be it weekly or monthly do a review of the best blog posts from within your niche for that given time period. Hopefully you’re already ‘crawling’ around your niche for educational and social benefits. Now let’s put these results to further use and write about them. Here we’re using the magic of outbound links as previously discussed while providing useful content for our readership.

By implementing these 6 ways to improve your blogs performance you’ll not only realize an increase in traffic but also a greater appreciation of your overall subscriber base by their continual visits.

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina. For additional online success tips and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both profitable markets and products