Navigating the Challenges of Growing a Website Beyond 100K Views
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Chapter 1: The Reality of Organic Traffic
A surprising statistic reveals that 90% of websites receive no organic traffic. This might lead one to question whether blogging is on the decline. However, it’s important to recognize that the pandemic has fundamentally altered online search behaviors. Prior to these changes, people placed their trust in media outlets, news, and government entities. Now, according to the 2012 Edelman Trust Barometer, businesses—including solopreneurs—are viewed as the most reliable sources of information.
The digital marketing landscape has also evolved, with an astounding $600 billion invested in this sector, making it a prominent niche for writers in 2022. Despite the challenges, my blog’s traffic remains robust, thanks to this shift in trust towards digital businesses.
However, achieving this level of traffic didn’t happen overnight. Over the years, I’ve encountered several hard truths that have shaped my blogging journey.
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Section 1.1: Continuous Growth is Essential
Given that my blog attracts considerable traffic and converts visitors into customers, I cannot afford to become complacent. Continuous growth, conversion, and writing are paramount. Stopping would risk my income and potentially harm my rankings. Thankfully, I find joy in crafting blog posts, but I also recognize the need to establish additional channels for engagement, such as Instagram and an email list. These platforms allow me to maintain connections with my audience, fostering trust and ultimately encouraging purchases without the pressure of frequent content creation.
Subsection 1.1.1: Balancing Content Creation
Section 1.2: Finding Competitive Topics
Although my domain authority is strong enough to compete with major brands, this advantage presents its own challenges. It becomes increasingly difficult to identify viable keywords to rank for, often forcing me to target highly competitive terms. While I can find easier keywords, I usually discover that I’m already ranking for similar topics, which complicates my strategy. Therefore, I spend significant time researching suitable keywords that are both high-traffic and distinct from what I already cover.
Chapter 2: The Risks of Change
In the volatile world of Google rankings, even minor adjustments can have lasting impacts. For instance, when my husband switched our commenting system, a previously high-ranking post suffered a permanent drop in visibility. Hence, we’ve learned to avoid making changes unless absolutely necessary, only updating posts if they fall to the second page of search results.
Section 2.1: The Importance of Networking
Building relationships has proven crucial for those who earn substantial incomes from their blogs. Early connections can lead to valuable backlinks, which are essential for maintaining high rankings. I’m fortunate to have formed relationships with journalists who have featured my work, and I continue to seek out new connections.