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Best Free Traffic Sources

5 Best Free Traffic Sources For Your Online Business (+1 Bonus Tip)

So you have a product made and you want to reach the right audience?

But since it’s a new product, you don’t have money to fund it immediately, or maybe you’re testing the right MVP.

Well, the good news is you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll be giving you 5 free sources of traffic that can be used immediately.

In the end, I will give you one social platform that is gaining some traffic after the recent Google March Update.

For each free source I give, I will talk about what stage of business it’s perfect for, how quickly it works, and how much potential traffic you can get.

Let’s start with the first one.

1. Earned Media

Earned media is any attention you get without paying for it. Some great examples would be getting featured on big websites in your industry, major publications, news outlets, or even podcasts.

You might be wondering, “Don’t I need to be an internet celebrity for that?”

Well Nope!

That’s why a lot of people skip this, but they’re missing out on a very good opportunity. You can start doing this early on, as soon as you’ve got a basic web presence with just a website and some social media profiles.

Here’s how it works: You reach out to these outlets, find the names of the editors or people in charge, and pitch your ideas.

It can be tough if you aim for the big guns right away. Start small, and pitch to new websites and podcasts that are in your niche.

There’s a good chance you’ll get featured, and you can work your way up from there.

The best part of it is – It’s fast!!

You could go from pitching to being live in less than a week. As soon as you’re featured the traffic starts flowing to your site.

Recently, Serpple was listed as one of the top SEOs in the industry. The article is about the best rank-tracking tool and we are featured on the very top.

Serpple Screenshot

Depending on where you get featured, you could see thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of visitors. Plus, this traffic is high quality because they come from a source they already trust.

Each visitor from that site is bringing in the same trust; hence you can start converting this traffic at the very early stage.

However, there’s one downside though to this method. The traffic spike doesn’t won’t last forever. You get a big influx when the feature goes live, but after a few days, it starts to drop off.

But don’t let that discourage you. This method has some major benefits, especially when you combine it with the other tricks I will share.

Now, let’s see some methods to get started with this technique.
One great way is using Connectively (formerly known as HARO).

Here’s how it works:

You sign up, and they send you emails three times a day. These emails are packed with requests from journalists looking for expert sources. Cool, right?

Connectivity

All you need to do is:

  1. Search through these requests
  2. Find the ones where you can provide a valuable answer
  3. Respond to those queries

Another service that I came to know recently about is Help A B2B Writer. This works the same as HARO.

Help b2b Writer

Here’s the exciting part, now and then one of those journalists is going to quote you in their articles.

But it doesn’t work every time. Not every response is going to get replies.

But here’s a tip: limit yourself to spending 20 to 30 minutes on each pitch. This way, you’re not wasting too much time if it doesn’t pan out.

This is a fantastic way to get your name out there and start building those connections. And remember, each feature is a step towards bigger opportunities!

The next cool tool we’re going to talk about is Podmatch. It is tinder for Podcast Host & Guests!!

Podmatch

A place where podcast hosts and potential guests can find each other.

Here’s how it works:

  1. You sign up and create a profile
  2. You tell them about your expertise and what topics you can talk about
  3. The platform then matches you with podcast hosts looking for guests like you

It’s a great way to get yourself out there, especially if you’re just starting. You don’t need to be a big shot to get on podcasts, it’s just that your point of view should be something interesting for your relevant industry.

Appearing on podcasts can boost your visibility, you will reach an audience that is already interested in your topic.

Now, like with any method, it might take a few tries before you land your first podcast appearance. Keep your profile updated and respond quickly when you get a match.

Remember, each podcast appearance is a chance to share your expertise, build your brand, and yes, drive more traffic to your website. It’s a win-win!!

2. YouTube

It doesn’t matter if you’re just getting your business started or if you’re already a big name, YouTube is a great way to get potential eyes.

Yes, It takes time & needs a while to start getting your videos out there and for the views to start rolling in.

So, the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll get past that 6 to 12-month phase when not much happens. And that’s when things start to build up.

With this platform, the potential upside is huge. If you put in the time and effort the sky’s the limit with this platform.

The catch is that it is very slow and It takes time to get working for you. And it has a high barrier to entry.

Now, that might sound bad, but hear me out.

You need to learn the platform and how to create good videos. But here’s the flip side it weeds out the competition. It’s not easy to create a really good YouTube channel.

There’s a lot more to it than just recording and therefore this entry-level barrier is good sometimes. Because it lets you create something that others can’t easily copy or compete with.

And another great thing about YouTube is its longevity. Even if you stop creating videos, you’ll still get views every single day for a long time. Your videos will still show up in YouTube searches and will be recommended.

Now, here’s the key if you want to generate leads that turn into sales: In every video, offer something valuable that viewers can download for free in exchange for their email address.

You’ve probably heard this called a lead magnet or a free opt-in. A link in your video description would work. By this link, they land on a page where they enter their name and email, and you send them the free thing.

With all those emails, you can now start pitching them your new blog posts, what’s happening in the industry, or even show videos using your product. At least you know that you are showing it to potential users in the future.

This is however a whole of email marketing but getting those emails is half the battle won.

3. SEO

I know what you’re thinking – “SEO? Isn’t that old?”
But stick with me, because there’s a unique twist when you combine it with the methods we’ve talked about earlier. This combo not only makes things easier but also way more effective.

Here’s what I recommend, start blogging at the same time you kick off your YouTube channel.

It takes time, but here’s the kicker with this strategy the potential upside is huge. Once Google (or any search engine) starts sending traffic your way, you can quickly gain some good traffic.

And just like YouTube, the longevity is fantastic. It might take a while to get going, but once you’re noticed, you’ll keep getting free traffic for years.

So, here’s the key strategy, every time you create a YouTube video, turn that content into a blog post on the same topic.

But don’t just copy-paste the transcript – that’s a no-go. Since you’ve already done the research and scripting for your video, writing the blog post will be much quicker.

Do some keyword research using a tool like Serpple Keyword Research.

Serpple Home

Look for keywords with high search volume. You can even use screenshots from your video/website in the blog post (like I just did above).

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. Remember that earned media method we talked about earlier?

Those backlinks you get from being featured on podcasts, news outlets, or big websites? They’re gold for your SEO. They help boost the traffic you get from Google. Without these links, you won’t get much traffic.

If you’re doing all three of these things at once – YouTube, blogging, and earned media – you’ll notice something cool. Your blog posts become easier to write, and they get more traffic.

Those backlinks from earned media help your content get noticed quicker, shortening that waiting period. Plus, you’ll get more traffic in the long run.

Read More: How SEO Can Help You Build Brand Awareness

4. Tik-Tok

The amount of eyeballs and attention you can get on TikTok right now is better than any other social media platform out there. They seem to have a better discovery engine or algorithm, whatever you want to call it.

You don’t have to do weird dances to get that traffic. Give short 30-60-second tips on whatever niche you’re in. The benefit of TikTok is you get traffic quickly and it’s easy to post content. The best time to start? Right now.

Here’s why: this is likely a limited-time opportunity. If you look at any other social media platform, you’ll notice that when they’re brand new, they’re a great source of traffic and attention.

Remember when Facebook was new? You could create a page and get hundreds, maybe even thousands of followers easily. But now? Facebook’s reach is barely worth mentioning & the same is true with Instagram.

TikTok is still a pretty new platform, so I’d assume this golden opportunity isn’t going to last forever. So get in there now, and get as much traffic and as many leads from the platform as you can. Just keep in mind that it probably won’t last forever.

In terms of potential upside, it’s good while it lasts, but it doesn’t have the long-term potential of something like YouTube or Google. It’s more of a short spike that’ll eventually die off. The longevity of videos on this platform is very short – as soon as you stop posting, the traffic stops.

5. Partnerships or Joint Ventures

With this strategy, you look to partner with another business wherein you send traffic and leads to each other. It could be more utilized, which is surprising because so many digital product businesses could benefit from partnerships.

Here’s why it’s so great:

  1. It’s a win-win situation. You get new leads, they get new leads. Everybody’s happy.
  2. It’s cost-effective. You’re not paying for ads, you’re just sharing your audience.
  3. It builds trust. When someone you trust recommends a product, you’re more likely to check it out.

Now, the key is finding the right partner. Look for businesses that complement yours, not compete with it. For example, if you sell fitness programs, you might partner with a healthy meal delivery service.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Make a list of potential partners in your niche.
  2. Reach out and propose a partnership. Be clear about what you can offer them.
  3. Start small. Maybe do a joint webinar or cross-promote each other’s content.
  4. Track your results. See what’s working and what isn’t.

This method can work for businesses at any stage. Whether you’re just starting or you’re well-established, there’s always room for good partnerships.

Remember, it’s not just about getting more traffic. It’s about getting the right traffic. And with partnership marketing, you’re tapping into an audience that’s already interested in what you have to offer.

Reddit (Bonus Tip)

Since late 2023, Reddit has been on fire in Google searches. We’re talking about a mind-blowing 1328% growth in traffic. Yeah, you heard that right – over a thousand percent!

Twitter

Reddit, along with other user-generated content platforms, has been dominating search results pages. The answers popping up in top search results have skyrocketed. Google is displaying Reddit content in all sorts of ways organically.

Google SERP Reddit

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. In February 2024, Google and Reddit announced a partnership that’s got everyone talking. Google’s shelling out $60 million annually to access Reddit’s data API.

Weird, right? But hey, that’s business for you.

So, how can we ride this Reddit wave?

If you’re seeing Reddit posts about your industry in organic search results, it’s time to get in on the action. Start adding your comments to these posts. But here’s the trick – don’t go overboard with plugging your brand name in every comment. That’s just going to turn people off.

You’ve got to play it cool, if you have a new account warm it up before even posting any brand. Join in the subreddits, in your niche, or anything you know about. Now and then keep commenting on posts you think you know a little about.

Keep a good balance between when to drop your brand name and when to just provide valuable info. Remember, Redditors can smell a sales pitch from a mile away.

Here are some tips to make the most of Reddit:

  1. Be genuine. Offer real, helpful advice without expecting anything in return.
  2. Build your reputation. Become a trusted member of relevant subreddits.
  3. Share your expertise. Answer questions related to your field.
  4. Use your brand name sparingly. Only mention it when it’s truly relevant.
  5. Create valuable content. If you’ve got a blog post or video that answers a question perfectly, share it – but only if it’s really helpful.

Recently, I came to know about a service that can track your keywords on Reddit for absolutely free and at no cost.

This service is called F5bot and when you log into it, you have to put in the keywords that you want to track.

I will quickly show you my dashboard, these are the keywords we are tracking on f5bot for a brand Scrapingdog, it is a web scraping API that is used to extract data in bulk.

Scrapping Dog

Whenever there is some Reddit post or comment that contains the words I am tracking going online on the platform, I get a notification on my email. The notification would look something like this.

F5Bot

What do I track on F5bot?

I usually track the names of competitors, the specific keywords to my niche, and the keywords that represent the use cases of my product.

You can do the same for your business too, and this way you will get notified whenever a relevant post is there on Reddit.

The best thing is neither of them will be old since f5bot scrapes Reddit with new posts only.

The key with Reddit is to play the long game. Build relationships, offer value, and the traffic will follow. It might not be instant, but with Reddit’s growing influence in search results, it could become a major traffic source for your business.

With this update, the traffic from Reddit can remain coming as long as that particular post is ranking in Google search results. As I said, the latest Google algorithms are favoring user-generated content along with Reddit, so why not take advantage of that?

If there comes any core update that reduces the visibility of this platform, the significant amount of traffic on your website will also decrease.

Conclusion

Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment – that perfect moment is right now. Each of these methods has its strengths, and when you combine them, that’s when the magic happens.

Sure, some of these might take a bit of time to get going, but trust me, the payoff is worth it. And others, like TikTok and partnerships, can start bringing in traffic pretty quickly.

You can start all of these without spending a dime. It’s all about putting in the effort, being consistent, and playing the long game.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick one (or hey, why not all?) of these methods and get started. Your future self will thank you for the traffic goldmine you’re about to build.

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