Building a Website Is Just the Start — Here’s How to Actually Get Traffic
So you’ve built your website. Maybe it looks great, maybe it loads fast, maybe you’ve even launched a few blog posts. But here comes the big question: how do you get people to actually visit it?
Here’s the hard truth — there are over a billion websites on the internet right now. And the majority? They’re just floating out there in digital space, getting almost no visitors.
The difference between a website that sits in silence and one that pulls in thousands of views boils down to one powerful thing: content that ranks on Google.
But ranking isn’t as easy as hitting publish.
Let’s Talk Numbers (And Why Most Content Fails)
A massive study found that over 90% of all web pages get zero traffic from Google. That’s not a typo. And among the small number that do rank, only about 5.7% make it to the top 10 results — and those lucky few scoop up most of the clicks.
That means if your blog isn’t showing up on Page 1, it’s almost invisible.
But don’t worry — this isn’t a scare tactic. It’s your wake-up call to get strategic with SEO.
How We Got 250+ Articles to Rank on Google’s Page 1 (And What You Can Learn From It)
SEO can feel overwhelming. Algorithms change, Google keeps you on your toes, and what works today might not work next month.
But here’s the good news — after years of trial and error (and yes, lots of mistakes), we’ve developed a clear, repeatable process that’s helped us and our clients rank over 250 blog posts on the first page of Google.
Most of those articles belong to SaaS clients, but we’ve also ranked dozens on Medium. If you’re ready to do the same, here are the five steps that made it happen.
1. Nail Your Keyword Research – This is the first step on how to get traffic
This is where everything starts.
Before writing anything, you need to understand your niche, your audience, and what they’re actually searching for.
We rely on tools like Ahrefs to uncover those golden keywords — but it’s not just about search volume. It’s about:
-
Relevance: Is this keyword aligned with your business?
-
Topical authority: Are you building a content cluster around related topics?
-
Low-hanging fruit: Can you realistically compete with what’s already ranking?
-
Search volume vs. competition: Is it worth the time and effort?
For example, if a client sells a to-do list app, instead of targeting “best to-do list app” (high competition), we target related topics like “daily routines” or “productivity hacks.” This approach hits broader interest areas and builds authority.
2. Follow a Solid Content Creation Process (Not Just Write and Hope) – This is the second step on how to get traffic
Most people do keyword research, pass it to a writer, and hit publish. But we’ve found that process lacks the depth needed to really stand out.
That’s why we built SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to guide our entire content creation process — especially the research phase.
Our content research SOP includes:
-
Reviewing top-performing Google content
-
Watching relevant YouTube videos
-
Browsing Quora and Reddit threads
-
Listening to niche podcasts for deeper insights
It takes time — often 1–2 hours — but it pays off. Once the research is done, we create a custom outline based on real user needs, not just what AI tools like SurferSEO suggest.
3. Write Content That Actually Ranks – This is the third step on how to get traffic
Great writing doesn’t always rank. Ranking content needs a strategic edge.
Here’s how we bridge the gap:
a) Know your industry
Avoid fluff. Speak like someone who understands the space — without drowning your reader in jargon.
b) Write with purpose
-
Have a clear target reader in mind
-
Be concise and valuable
-
Support your claims with real data
-
Add a unique take that sets your article apart
c) Use AI (Wisely)
We use AI tools to help break writer’s block and brainstorm — but we never publish unedited AI content. Google isn’t against AI; it’s against garbage.
Use AI to:
-
Kickstart your first draft
-
Explore new angles
-
Speed up ideation
Then bring in the human touch — the voice, nuance, and insights that make your content worth reading.
4. Optimize Your Content Like a Pro – This is the fourth step on how to get traffic
Even strong writing won’t rank if it’s not optimized.
Here’s the quick checklist we follow before publishing:
-
Keywords: Include your main and supporting keywords naturally
-
URL: Keep it short and include your primary keyword
-
Meta title & description: Write for clicks, not just robots
-
Headers: Use H2s and H3s to structure your content with keywords
-
Images: Don’t forget keyword-rich alt text
-
Internal links: Link related pages to build SEO strength across your site
We use tools like SurferSEO, RankMath, and LinkWhisper to cover our bases.
5. Build Backlinks That Matter – This is the fifth step on how to get traffic
Backlinks are still a major trust signal to Google — and while some folks say they’ve lost power, we’ve seen firsthand how strategic link building can skyrocket rankings.
Here are the methods that work for us:
Guest Posts & Link Insertions
Writing for other blogs or getting your link added to existing content can boost your authority — and your rankings.
HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
Answer journalist queries to land mentions and links from sites like HubSpot, HuffPost, and more.
Statistical Blog Posts
Journalists love linking to original data. We create content with surveys, stats, and insights to attract natural backlinks.
Digital PR
Pitching trending stories to media outlets can earn you brand mentions and powerful links.
Final Thoughts On How To Get Traffic: SEO Isn’t Easy — But It’s Worth It
Ranking on Google’s first page doesn’t happen overnight. It takes strategy, consistency, and a willingness to play the long game.
But when done right, SEO becomes a traffic-generating machine that works for you 24/7 — long after you hit publish.
Whether you’re just starting out or trying to level up your content game, follow these five steps and you’ll be far ahead of most.
