I’m not the kind of web designer who creates pretty websites just to tick a box. Because honestly, if your site isn’t being found, clicked on, or doing any heavy lifting? It’s just an expensive business card.
A client came to me for a new website. Their business was solid, they were doing all the right things, but their traffic? Sitting at around 200 clicks a month and their site wasn’t working anywhere near as hard as it could’ve been.
So we rebuilt it with strategy at the core: SEO-friendly, super clear, and designed to convert. Now? That same site is getting over 2,250 organic clicks a month.
In this post, I’m sharing 6 practical ways to increase traffic to your website, based on real strategies I use for clients.
How to Increase Traffic to Your Website (for FREE)
1. Do Your Keyword Research
The first thing I do when I start a client project isn’t to obsess over fonts or button shapes…
… it’s keyword research.
Most people jump straight to the visuals (which, don’t get me wrong, I love a good aesthetic moment). But they skip the bit that actually gets traffic through the door (aka, onto your website).
Your ideal clients are already typing things like:
- “Reformer Pilates Studio Clapham”
- “How to add a welcome video to dubasdo forms”
- “Golden hour wedding photo pose ideas”
- “how to create a custom GPT”
And your site needs to show up when they do. Otherwise? You’ve built something beautiful that no one’s ever going to see.
You’ll notice that in this blog I’m using strategic words like “increase website traffic,” “drive traffic to your site,” and “how to get more visitors to your website”. Because I know these are the questions my ideal clients are asking when they’re looking at their website traffic data and wondering why they’ve got had no visitors in the past 3 months.
So yes, keyword research comes before the visuals. Because if we don’t know what your people are searching for, how can we build a website that speaks their language — or gets seen at all?
How to do keyword research:
Use one of these keyword research tools:
And research real phrases. Not marketing or industry jargon.
Real people search for things like “how to get more bookings as a photographer” not “converting leads through optimised user journeys.”
Once you’ve identified some keywords, sprinkle them naturally into your titles, headings, metadata and text. No stuffing though, your site isn’t a Christmas turkey.
And if you wanna go into doing your own keyword research, have a read of my Beginner’s Guide to Keyword Research and Competitor Analysis; A Step-by-Step Guide for Better SEO Results.
2. Start a Blog
Blogging isn’t just something I tell clients to do because “content is king” (ugh, over it).
It’s one of the most powerful (and seriously underrated) ways to bring long-term traffic to your website.
When you blog strategically, you’re basically creating little entry points all over Google.
Each post = a new chance to show up in search (and featured snippets like AI overviews, people also ask etc), reach more people, and move them closer to working with you.
Here’s how I explain it to my clients:
Think of your blog like a Netflix series. Each post is an episode.
The more episodes you create, the more binge-worthy your site becomes, and the longer people stick around.
Why it works:
- Every blog post is an extra page Google can index
- It lets you target a wider range of keywords (without stuffing them into your homepage)
- You can answer specific questions your ideal client is searching for, like:
- “how to improve site visibility without ads”
“what should I put on my service page?”
- “how to improve site visibility without ads”
I’ve had clients rank for niche blog posts that quietly pull in hundreds of clicks a month, all without spending a single penny on ads.
And bonus: blogging builds trust. It shows visitors you know your stuff, you’re generous with your knowledge, and you’re not just here to take their money and ghost.
If you have no idea where to start with blogging we have very affordable blog packages to get you started.
How to come up with blog topics:
Start with:
- Common questions your clients ask
- Topics you find yourself explaining over and over
- The stuff that makes your services easier to say yes to
- Read my blog: How To Come Up With Blog Post Ideas; 13 Easy Ways To Never Run Out Of Blogging Content
3. Submit Your Site to Search Engines
Submitting your website to Google sounds way more official than it actually is.
I know it feels like something you should leave to a tech person in a dark room surrounded by cables… but honestly? It’s a few clicks. That’s it.
And yet, so many people skip it.
I’ve worked with loads of clients who’ve never set up Google Search Console, let alone submitted their sitemap. No shame here — but without it, you’re basically leaving your site in the hands of hope and good intentions. Which… not a vibe.
Google can find your site eventually. But submitting it manually:
✅ Speeds up the process
✅ Tells Google what pages are important
✅ Improves your chances of actually ranking
So when you publish something new, like a blog post, or a shiny new service page, you don’t want to sit there twiddling your thumbs waiting for Google to “get round to it.”
You tell it. Directly. By submitting your sitemap and requesting that it index your page.
If this is all sounding a bit “???”, don’t panic. I’ve made a quick video showing you exactly how to set up Google Search Console and submit your sitemap.
Watch the tutorial below 👇 and just get it ticked off your list.
4. Promote Your Site on Social Media
We all know social media is a massive time-suck… but if you’re already posting, it should be doing more than collecting likes.
Your socials can (and should) drive traffic to your website.
But they won’t if you don’t make it dead easy for people to click through.
People need clear direction. If your Instagram bio still links to your homepage with no context, you’re leaving clicks (and clients) on the table.
Here’s what I recommend:
Create a “links” page on your website.
Yep you read that right. You’re own link page, not Linktree. We’re creating a branded page that lives on your site.
Something like: yourdomain.com/links
Here’s what mine looks like:
From there, you can:
- Direct people to your services
- Promote your latest blog post or offer
- Share your newsletter sign-up or lead magnet
This isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about control.
You own the page, you own the traffic, and you can track exactly what people are clicking on in Google Analytics.
5. Use Email Marketing
Unlike social media, where your content disappears in 24 hours unless it goes viral (lol), your email list is yours. No algorithms, no hoping someone scrolls past your stuff. Just a direct line to the people who already want to hear from you.
And yep, email can absolutely drive traffic back to your site.
Here’s how:
Start With a Lead Magnet
This is your “hey, let me help you with this thing in exchange for your email” moment.
Something juicy. Useful. Quick to action. Think checklists, templates, or mini-guides.
(Like my free SEO checklist — shameless plug 👀)
What to include in your emails:
- Tips pulled from your blog posts
- Direct links to key service pages
- Announcements or launches (that link to a landing page)
- Behind-the-scenes or personal stories that build trust (with soft nudges back to your site)
Link back to your site every single time. Seriously.
Even if it’s just a little signature box at the bottom with recent updates, like I’ve done in my own newsletter:
6. Pinterest = Not Just for Wedding Inspo
Pinterest isn’t just mood boards and DIY hacks. It’s actually a visual search engine, and one of the most underrated traffic drivers for service-based businesses who create content.
Unlike Instagram (where links are a pain) or TikTok (where content dies in 48 hours), Pinterest is designed to send people off the platform, straight to your website.
So… is your dream client on Pinterest?
Honestly? Probably.
It’s not just recipes and wedding dresses. People use Pinterest to search for:
- Business tips
- Website design inspo
- Marketing strategies
- Service-based how-tos
…and plenty more.
If your content overlaps with any of that — or you’ve got blogs, freebies, or even service pages that could use a traffic boost, it’s absolutely worth using.
What to pin:
- Blog posts
- Freebie lead magnets
- Case studies
- Portfolio examples
- Sales pages
- Podcast episodes
- Product pages
Use strong headlines, clear calls-to-action, and imagery that matches your brand (and doesn’t look like a Canva template).
Just bear in mind, you’re not just posting once and going viral.
Pinterest is a slow-burn platform, but the shelf life of a good pin? Months. Even years.
Top creators see click-through rates of around 0.8–0.9%, which might sound small, but when a pin reaches millions of people, that’s serious traffic trickling in daily.
If you’re blogging regularly and want another way to get eyes on that content, Pinterest could be the perfect next move.
Let’s Wrap This Up
So, there you have it. 6 smart, strategic ways to drive more traffic to your website (without selling your soul to social media or throwing money at ads).
Are they free? Yep.
Do they take a bit of effort to set up? Also yep.
But once they’re in place, you’ll have traffic coming in on autopilot, and your website will finally start doing the heavy lifting it was built for.
If you’re like “pls just do it for me” you can book a free discovery call and let’s talk traffic, strategy, and how to make your site actually convert.
FAQs About Increasing Website Traffic
How can I increase traffic to my website for free?
Start by doing keyword research, blogging strategically, using Pinterest, and submitting your sitemap to Google. These are all free, organic methods that work over time (no ads required).
What are the best ways to drive traffic to a service-based website?
Blogging, Pinterest, and email marketing work especially well for service-based businesses. These platforms let you share value, showcase your expertise, and drive people back to your site on repeat.
Does social media help increase website traffic?
Yes, but only if you make it easy for people to click through. Create a branded “links” page on your site, update your bio regularly, and share content that sends people somewhere useful.
How long does it take for SEO to increase website traffic?
It depends on your niche, competition, and how consistent you are. Most websites start seeing traffic improvements from SEO in 3–6 months — but small wins (like faster indexing and ranking for longtail keywords) can happen much sooner.
Is blogging still worth it for SEO in 2025?
100%. Blogging helps you rank for more keywords, show up in AI overviews, and drive long-term organic traffic. Each post you write is another chance to be found by the right people.
