What’s More Important SEO and Web Traffic or Fans and Readers?

In his blog post If you’re looking for more traffic, STOP!, Derek Halpern, owner of Social Triggers makes a good point: You don’t want web traffic, you want readers.

Why are so many entrepreneurs and corporate conglomerates beating the SEO drum when they might focus on getting more readers on their websites?

Web traffic doesn’t pay, but customers and readers do. They pay by commenting on your posts, sharing your posts, and  by purchasing your products and services. Treat them with the respect they deserve. They are more than data analytics!

SEO and Web Traffic or Fans and Readers: What or Who’s More Important?

There’s nothing wrong with implementing ethical SEO techniques so your blog or website ranks well in search engines like Google, Bing, etc. However, it’s more important to focus on your target audience aka fans and readers. SEO can only do so much. Readers and visitors to your site become followers and eventually turn into buyers.

Why Do You Want Web Traffic When You Can Have Fans and Readers

Fans and readers are what make your blog posts, articles, and website successful.

Without followers, who will help you spread your message or talk about your product or service?

How will you receive referrals?

While web traffic is important it’s more important to build a community and engage with your fans and readers. To do this make sure you focus on their wants and needs. What problems do they have that need solving? What keeps them up late at night? If you don’t know, it’s time to find out. Ask for feedback in the form of surveys and polls. Really get to know your readers and take an interest them instead of seeing them as ATM Machines.

How Your Blog Can Gain Fans and Readers

Follow the steps below if you want your blog/website to gain fans and readers and increase your blog traffic too.

Audition

Think of your blog/website as an actor actress auditioning for a stage production, film, or TV series. These folks want to catch the of eye of casting agents and must stand out among the other performers.

You’ll want to have something special that makes casting agents, producers, and directors say, “I want her/him in my movie.” Be bold and give your blog/website everything you have. This includes keeping plugins up-to-date as well as your theme. Study color psychology and choose a color scheme that readers will gravitate towards.

Here’s an example. The color blue is usually associated with dependability, wisdom, calmness, and trustworthiness. It’s also associated with the fifth chakra known as the throat chakra. On the flip side, red can be associated with both anger and energy. It’s also associated with the first chakra known as the ‘root’ chakra. In any event, choose a color scheme that will work for your readers and you.

Connection

Using the actor/actress example from above, your blog posts and or articles must not only inform, but make readers feel a connection to you. Don’t be shy about connecting with readers because they’ll eventually turn into fans.

Promotion

Like an actor or actress, you must promote your blog/website. Let’s face it; if films and TV series weren’t promoted, fans wouldn’t know what’s going on with their favorite film and or TV celebrity. They wouldn’t know if they have any new films out or if they’re be guest starring on a TV series. Publicity is a celebrity’s friends whether they like it or not. You can promote your blog/website by guest blogging, participating in social media, commenting on other blogs and forums, and doing whatever it takes to get your blog/website in front of your target audience. They can’t ‘like, stumble, tweet, or pin’ your posts if they don’t know your blog/website exists.

Final Thoughts

The next time you stress out about SEO and web traffic, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I really want web traffic, or do I want readers who convert into fans?
• Why am I obsessing over SEO instead of my readers?

Here’s a hint: visitors to your website buy from you not search engines like Google, Bing, etc.

When you create web content, write for your readers first and then optimize for SERPs.