What percentage of search engine traffic is healthy?

[Ram8349]

My newly launched web site gets only 6~7% of its traffic from search engines.

 

I wonder what is a healthy percentage of search engine traffic?

 

How many percentage of traffic of your web sites are from the search engines?

[ChuckTesta]

I'd say that's a decent number for now. It will increase as your site increases and gets more links. More searchable terms will yield more search engine traffic. Just give it time, and keep building content.

[Nathan]

I get 60% now.

[Ram8349]

I get 60% now.

 

How many articles do you have in order to get that many search engine traffic?

[Nathan]

It's not about the number of articles. It's about the popularity of your content and keywords you are indexed for.

[Ram8349]

Well, I only have 7 articles so far.

On the forum, I have less than 1000 posts.

 

I would think the amount of content is thin.

 

I have been working on a very popular keyword and article. Like I have mentioned in another thread, it is still on page 2 of google search results. It won't do me any good until it's on the first page and top 3. I still doubt 7 articles and less than 1000 posts will get me the amount of visitors you receive.

[Nathan]

Just continue to post new content, if you are lucky some of your content may just be what someone is searching for on Google.

[Jessi]

I get around 50% of my traffic from search engines at this point. It used to be higher, but I've been getting a lot of referral traffic lately, so it kinda skews the ratio. I certainly won't complain any, though!

 

Like Nathan said, just keep adding content and you'll start getting more traffic naturally.

[Ram8349]

I know I need more content.

 

Do you recommend me to focus on adding more articles or focus on adding more forum posts?

 

It is hard to generate high quality threads without more active members.

[BlackHatClass]

I get about 40% organic traffic to my blogs only. That's because of the niche I'm in, and so, I get loads of viral social media traffic..

[ChuckTesta]

I know I need more content.

 

Do you recommend me to focus on adding more articles or focus on adding more forum posts?

 

It is hard to generate high quality threads without more active members.

 

You should really do both. If a member asks a question, go into specific detail. Use keywords to answer his question, words people will search for. Article are great for current readers, but it's the forum posts that continue to build activity which builds posts and ultimately builds content. Just don't get discouraged, keep on trucking.

[Jessi]

You should really do both. If a member asks a question, go into specific detail. Use keywords to answer his question, words people will search for. Article are great for current readers, but it's the forum posts that continue to build activity which builds posts and ultimately builds content. Just don't get discouraged, keep on trucking.

 

Agreed on all points. Also, if you see a great question, you could potentially write an article about that and then use it as part of your post reply. Don't copy/past the entire article there, but simply sum up some of the points and then link to where the full article is.

[Ram8349]

At this stage, it is hard to generate good question/answers.

 

I have 2~3 active members. They don't really ask questions that often. I have to ask 98% the questions to start a conversation. Obviously I do not have that many questions myself, I have ask something other people ask often...

I'd much prefer some people ask good questions and I will answer. But it isn't happening. I also don't like to pretend to be two person. Even though I am using two accounts, one is my admin account, one is my regular member account. I don't talk to myself.

 

I make tons of posts, and always do my best to make the conversation work. Leave no thread with 0 reply if I can. But others don't seem to try to do the same. Some people obviously can answer certain threads, but they ignore them...maybe they are not interested to answer certain questions even they know the answers.

 

I can't make more posts without looking silly. Really need more people to join the chatting to make it work.

That's why I consider to build up base traffic by adding articles as content. Forum obviously lack of content right now and it will remain so as long as there are only a few people posting.

 

I am using my member account posting lots of questions...so as an admin I don't look silly for not knowing that many things. I use admin account to posting threads with information and asking for opinions mostly.

[Nathan]

You really need some paid posting it sounds like.

[Jessi]

You really need some paid posting it sounds like.

 

Maybe so.

 

Do you have any friends you could ask to come in and help for a bit? Or even just take part in some post exchanges somewhere (both people agree to post a certain number of posts on each other's sites). You have good intentions and motivation, but you've really gotta get some more people in there, even fake, before more and more will want to join and talk.

[ChuckTesta]

I agree that you should get some paid for posts. Once you get a decent amount of traffic, and google serves you on the first page you'll get some members to join.

 

The best way to get people to join is word of mouth. Get your friends to join, maybe get some glossy fliers made and hand out. If your site has a field that has conventions, go to them... get people you meet to join.

 

I have a car forum, and am going to a racetrack this weekend. I plan to talk up a bit game. Hopefully get 1,2 or 10 members out of it.

[Ram8349]

It is definitely not working with friends.

 

Some will say they'd help, but never join.

Some would join but never post.

Some would post once and never come back again until you mention it in their face, then they'd post another (1) post and never come back.

Some would straight right refuse even you are friends for over a decade...and question you if you have a business plan as excuse for not posting on your forum after multiple ignored requests.

 

Way of life...

[ChuckTesta]

Sounds like some so-so friends! But, the way of life is that people are always out for themselves. It sucks. Just keep with it. maybe get one guy you're really close with and make it personal. Tell him that you're treading water and would like some support.

 

If all else fails... just keep trucking yourself. Your success will depend solely on you. Keep putting in the work, it will pay off.

[Ram8349]

It would be much easier if a few friends can be helpful.

I've read a successful story of someone who had 4 friends helping his new forum. They made total 2,000 posts on the launch day with good content. At the end of the first week, they gained 120 members. By the end of the year, they get 30 new members per day.

 

That's how it works. I still haven't hit 1,100 posts yet after 2 months. 40% were made by me, but I can't really start more conversation all by myself than what I am already doing. I am the one starting 98%+ the threads, and make sure every thread started by others can get a reply from me. Not all my threads get a reply even though I now some members completely have the capability to reply in them due to some threads aren't even technical and just general opinion threads with the pet they DO have.