Whether you’re running an online business, a blog, or building your business’s online presence, your growth will benefit from driving more traffic to your site. High traffic can be key to success, but it can also be difficult to maintain. To get started, here are six tips on how to attract new visitors to your website and keep them coming back.

1. Use Video Content

Videos are incredibly popular and will keep your audience engaged and entertained. Video content gains the attention of search engines, letting them know that your website contains rich media relevant to search requests.

A study from Cisco claims that by 2019 video will represent over 80% of all Internet traffic. Therefore, if you’re selling a product or a service, video can be effective in showcasing the product, the service, or how to use it

2. Add a blog

A blog is a powerful tool for driving traffic as search engines prioritise fresh, relevant content. Make sure to post regularly with interesting content that relates to your business field. Quality content will attract your readers to explore more topics, and delve deeper into your website.

Best practice is to use internal links to encourage readers to visit other pages. A new post can take a variety of forms, including tutorials, infographics and strong imagery. Add a clear call-to-action for readers to subscribe to your blog.

This will help build a loyal contact base.Don’t be afraid to include links in blog posts to related products or services you offer, so readers can shop directly from your blog.

In addition, consider writing guest posts for other websites as this will raise your businesses’ profile.

Not only will it help increase your ranking in search engines with backlinks, it can also help build positive relationships with other companies If you are featuring a guest blog on your blog, don’t forget to promote it as much as you would promote your own posts.

3. Use Social Media

Social media platforms are a great budget-friendly way to connect to your potential and current customers. First, do some research into which platforms your target audiences are most active on and ensure that your business has a presence.

It’s important to ensure content in engaging and shareable, as audiences value these more than posts that are overtly promotional. If you have a physical location, use social media to reach nearby consumers with targeted content.

Consistency is important when it comes to social media; set up a content calendar so that you're not scrambling to decide what to post throughout the week.

For example, you can use YouTube for insider tips, product reviews or tutorials. Features such as Wix Video allows you to easily upload your videos to your website from platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo and Facebook.

Even a handful of views and shares can significantly increase traffic to your site. On the other hand, Instagram and Pinterest are great platforms to be active on if your product or company is selling direct to consumers as they use more image-led content.

Don’t limit yourself to using Facebook to only connect with your current followers via your page. Reach out to your target audience by participating in relevant Facebook groups and communities and share the best pieces of content from your blog with them.

4. Optimise your website’s SEO

Think of how people will search for you online – those phrases will be a good place to start thinking of your website keywords. Ensure that you use those phrases in your blogs and social media posts.

These phrases should be at least two words long, and are generally ones that people use in a search engine to find a particular product or service.

Consider, for example, using “gluten free restaurants in London” as opposed to “restaurants in London”, if that is what you specialise in. SEO Wiz from Wix is a friendly, easy-to-use tool which can help an SEO novice make sure their website hits all the marks to be SEO streamlined.

5. Show off your expertise

Another way to increase your visibility is by participating in Q&A platforms. There are hundreds of questions published every day on a wide range of topics. Some of the most popular forums are Yahoo Answers, Quora and Reddit.

Position yourself as an expert and offer advice across areas that your business specialises in. Ensure that the language and grammar used take a professional tone, as you will be representing your brand.

6. Email Marketing

Email marketing can be one of the most effective marketing tools when used correctly. A friendly email reminder to your followers and subscribers about a new service or product can help you boost your website traffic.

It’s important you don’t bombard potential customers with automated and relentless emails about every single update. Consumers are more likely to be open to updates personalised to them.

One way of making your interactions personalised is by using their first name, reminding them if they haven’t visited the website in over a few weeks with an exclusive offer or discount, or by sending them specific emails to them for example a birthday email.

While it can be challenging to drive traffic to your website, there are a variety of ways that you can promote your business or brand for little or no cost. However, it is important to follow best practice consistently in order to see results.

Orly Gonen is head of product marketing at Wix.