The ONE SECRET all successful sports e-commerce store owners use to generate traffic. But they'll NEVER tell you
Andrew McDonald
5/11/20232 min read
By the end of this post, you'll know what separates traffic getters from the rest.
But first, let's look at a few different methods you can use to bring customers to your online store.
1. SEO
Optimising your site for search engines can attract traffic. In fact, you'd be silly not to ignore it.
Yet, I'm not a big fan.
Why? It's unreliable... and irrational.
You can chuck thousands at it and never get onto the first page of search results.
You can do something simple and dominate Google, Bing, and other engines.
It's also possible, even probable, to rank well one day and crash the next.
Algorithms change all the time. And building your site on SEO is like constructing castle foundations in the sand.
It's also more difficult to see where your traffic is coming from.
2. Paying for Google ads
You can give yourself a headstart in rankings.
If you get this right, it's far more consistent and reliable.
And you'll be higher in search results than even the most optimised website.
But you have to be willing to dip into your pocket.
Pay for Google ads.
3. Use social media
This is a great strategy. If you're patient.
You won't get results after a few weeks, or maybe even a couple of months.
But it is possible to attract solid traffic using social media.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, go where your target audience lives.
Instagram users are younger than Facebook ones.
And don't overlook LinkedIn.
But, for the love of your chosen deity, don't use those crappy ads you see in Facebook groups.
You know the ones I'm talking about!
Nobody engages with them.
4. Make influencers or affiliate marketers your friends
This involves paying people to promote you.
They can be a gold mine.
But take time to learn the processes involved.
And keep an eye out for the good influencers and affiliates.
There are a lot of charlatans out there.
5. Deliver quality content
A blog can drive traffic to your site.
Or you can appear on podcasts. You could even create your own.
Writing articles for sites related to your sports e-commerce niche is an option.
All work well if you get them right.
6. Good old email marketing
Build a mailing list and send regular updates.
You'll need a lead magnet to get subscriptions.
A great idea is to offer a discount code in return for people signing up.
And run the occasional competition and promotion to keep them engaged.
7. Expensive but powerful, PR can be amazing
Engaging with a PR agency could drive massive traffic to your site.
It is expensive, though. And there are never any guarantees with any form of marketing.
Investigate whether it's something you want to do.
Because it can be costly.
But the rewards can also be amazing.
And the ONE SECRET successful sport e-commerce store owners will NEVER tell you?
That they ALL use to bring traffic to their sites?
Choose one, at most two, of the strategies above.
AND BE CONSISTENT.
Don't try emailing for a month. Find it isn't working. Then jump ship and try affiliate marketing.
Most methods will take time to pick up speed.
And it's those who keep at it that succeed.
Yes, tweak your methods as you go.
But don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
Slow and steady wins the race.