A good webmaster always strives to increase website traffic.
After all, what good is your website if no one visits? Increased
website traffic is especially critical for ecommerce websites.
Numerous methods exist to increase website traffic, which I loosely
identify as website traffic generators.
Website Traffic Generators
For those of you not familiar with website traffic generators, a
website traffic generator is any method utilized to direct visitor
traffic flow to your website(s). In this context, search engines,
link exchange, opt-in mailing lists, traffic exchange and other means of
procuring traffic, including word of mouth, can be considered to be
website traffic generators. Our discussion here focuses upon website
traffic exchange.
Website Traffic Exchange
Website traffic exchange is “a means of directing visitor
traffic flow to your website in exchange for viewing other websites.”
There are basically three types of website traffic exchange that meet this
definition: browser-based website traffic exchange; web-based
website traffic exchange; and website traffic augmenters. Website
traffic exchange works on the general principle that, as you view websites
belonging to a group membership, you are rewarded with credits that can be
exchanged for views of your website by other members. Website
traffic exchange refers both to the method of acquiring website traffic
defined above and to services implementing this methodology.
A web-based website traffic exchange is one which will open another website
when yours is viewed, often as a pop-under when a visitor leaves your
site. A browser-based website traffic exchange is one which, when
opened as the start page in your web browser, enables you to surf other
websites on a timed, rotating basis. A website traffic augmenter is
software that enables you to increase the frequency or quantity of
viewable web pages. Traffic rotators and browsers capable of opening
multiple simultaneous windows can be categorized as augmenters. Both
browser-based and web-based website traffic generators employ traffic
rotator functionality within their design.
Marketing-based website traffic exchange deserves mention. This
traffic exchange technique relies upon membership sign-up or direct
purchase to aggregate credits for website viewing. This type of
website traffic exchange generally takes the form of either a pure
marketing system or an affiliate program. Marketing-based website traffic
exchange is more limited than website traffic exchange as defined above,
since you must pay for credits, build a downline, or do both to receive
website views. Some derivations of marketing-based website traffic
exchange offer advantages for power webmasters. As an example, a
service may permit you to sell at a price you choose or to give away (as
rewards or for incentive programs) credits to non-members; the service
could then handle the details of credit transfer and website viewing in a
way that makes it appear you are running the show. However, if you are
seeking free website traffic, it is best to look elsewhere. It should be
noted that many of the browser-based and website-based traffic exchanges
also reward you with credits for signing affiliate members.
Web-based website traffic exchanges and browser-based website traffic
exchanges both have distinct advantages. If your website is not seeing
many hits and your budget does not permit an effective advertising
campaign, you should almost certainly begin to increase website traffic
(apart from attempting to generate search engine traffic, which is
extremely important) through use of browser-based website
traffic exchange. The obvious advantage here is that you control the
number of hits you receive by how frequently you surf member websites. If
your site is already the beneficiary of considerable traffic but you would
like more, a web-based website traffic exchange is a low-maintenance
way to proceed; such traffic exchange frees you from the time-consuming
tedium of clicking for hits. Combining both forms can
significantly increase the volume of traffic reaching your website.
Pros & Cons of Web-Based
Website Traffic Exchange
A web-based website traffic exchange should possess the following
attributes:
- It should be a free service (Intense competition so dictates.);
- It should peacefully coexist with the code on your website, i.e., it
should not cause your web pages to be displayed in an unexpected or
unpredictable manner;
- The code should be simple to install on your website;
- It should provide not less than a 1-for-2 viewing ratio — that
is, you should receive at least one view of your web page by a visitor
for every two website views performed from your site;
- Pop-under viewing on exit is the preferred method of site display for
a piggybacked website so that the view of the primary website (i.e.,
your web page) is not obstructed;
- It should provide initial bonus credits upon sign-up to get you started
fast;
- It should incorporate an affiliate program and reward you with residual
credits for participation of affiliates you sponsor;
- Its terms of use will prohibit websites containing provocative content
such as nudity and warez;
- Its terms of use should permit sites to be displayed only in a single
language common to the combined membership.
Note that interference can result when using a web-based traffic exchange
in conjunction with pop-up windows. Pop-ups can be effective when used
properly and sparingly, but if used indiscriminately, can drive away
visitors and get you banned on traffic exchange sites.
WARNING: Surfing the web is
inherently dangerous. Surfing for hits greatly increases the
risk by exposing your PC to significantly more website and pop-up content.
Furthermore, crackers, spyware installers and others attempting to exploit
security vulnerabilities view website traffic exchanges as fertile ground
in which to ply their “craft”. Therefore, before you begin,
be certain your system is adequately protected against viruses, crackers
and spyware. See
Spyware
Removers & Antispyware for more information and
Computer Security
Software for free anti-virus, firewall and
anti-cookie/anti-spyware software.
Authored by Kenneth L. Anderson.
Original article published 30 April 2003, updated 10 September
2005.
Follow links to the right to learn more about how to increase website traffic through web-based website traffic exchange.
At the left margin, Related Links address topics of interest
pertaining to business and ecommerce. View the
Internet Business & eCommerce SiteMap
for a complete list of internet business, web business, website promotion and ecommerce topics.
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