How to Increase Web Traffic By 3700% In Under a Year By Implementing a User First SEO Strategy

Recent Google updates, including the latest in March 2024, emphasize the importance of prioritizing user-friendly content. Websites that fail to cater to their audience's needs are likely to see poor rankings.

In this case study, you will learn how The Search Initiative's team assisted a client in boosting their organic traffic by an impressive 3,773% — rising from 1,040 to 40,284 monthly sessions — through a user-first SEO approach and innovative tactics.

Key takeaways:

Implement a user-focused content strategy using AI to align with search intent;
Utilize Google’s Indexing API to quickly update Google on changes to your site;
Optimize calls-to-action (CTAs) for better conversions;
Publish compelling white papers to naturally earn backlinks.

Background and challenges:

A provider of drug rehabilitation services in the UK, Australia, and the U.S., sought to improve their rankings for service-related search terms. Despite their efforts, their service pages struggled with poor rankings due to content misalignment with search intent.

To address this issue, the team:

Analyzed and refined content to better align with user intent;
Utilized Google's Indexing API to expedite the indexing of new pages;
Implemented effective CTAs on existing blog posts and service pages to enhance conversions;
Developed informative white papers to attract valuable backlinks.

Steps to a user-first content strategy:

Understand search intent:

Informational: Users seek information (e.g., “How to make coffee”);
Navigational: Users want a specific site (e.g., “Starbucks menu”);
Commercial: Users are researching products (e.g., “Best coffee machines 2024”);
Transactional: Users are ready to purchase (e.g., “Buy Nespresso Vertuo capsules”).

Tailor your content to these intents to meet user needs effectively. Use tools like Ahrefs and ChatGPT-4 to analyze top-ranking pages and identify content types, structure, and intent.

Here’s how you can do it:

Ahrefs:

Enter your keyword into Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer tool. Remember to select the correct target location.

Scroll down to the SERP section, where you’ll see the top-ranking pages for your target keyword.

Click on “Identify intents”.x

The tool automatically analyzes the search intent and types of content that the top-ranking competing pages have included.

In the example, 57% of the users are looking for: “Guides on Growing Roses from Cuttings”. The top-ranking pages have included comprehensive guides and tutorials on how to successfully grow roses from cuttings.

This is a quick way to find out what type of content you should consider including within your own web page.

ChatGPT-4

You can also use ChatGPT-4 to understand and analyze the content fetched by WebPilot from a specific web page.

In order to use WebPilot, head over to the GPTs page (plugins are nearly end-of-life and their functionality will be replaced by GPTs), search for “WebPilot” and enable it.

Enter this prompt into the chat:

“Use WebPilot to fetch content from [Competing Page URL] and analyze the user intent of its content. I want you to tell me:

Content format (options are: blog post, guide, landing page, service page, category page, product page, homepage)
Content Length
Detail amount (score this out of 10, where 10 is very detailed and 1 is not detailed).
Search intent (options: informational, navigational, commercial investigation, transactional)
The heading structure
How much rich media is used (this includes images, tables, videos etc).

Here’s an example of the prompt being used for an informational article about growing roses from cuttings:

And here’s an example of an output for a product page:

You can now use the information provided by Ahrefs or ChatGPT to create the content for your own web page.

Optimize content:

Align content formats and depths with search intent.
Improve content structure with relevant headings and rich media.
Fill content gaps and present unique angles to stand out.

Use Google’s indexing API:

Setup: Create a project in Google Cloud, enable the Indexing API, and generate a service account and API key.
Configuration: Integrate with tools like RankMath for WordPress, or hard-code the API for other platforms.
Action: Submit URLs for indexing or removal to ensure quick updates and visibility in search results.

By following these strategies, you can enhance your website’s user experience and significantly increase traffic and conversions.

CRO optimization: boosting conversions with effective CTAs

Generating quality content that attracts visitors is just the start. Converting those visitors into customers is where the real challenge lies. Our client, despite having good organic traffic, struggled to generate leads due to weak calls to action (CTAs). By revamping and adding new CTAs, we doubled their monthly conversions from 158 to 337.

What is a Call to Action (CTA)?

A Call to Action (CTA) prompts users to take a specific action after engaging with your content. Common forms of CTAs include:

Submission forms: For inquiries, signups, or subscriptions.

Buttons: Eye-catching prompts like “Buy Now” or “Sign Up.”

Links: Hyperlinks encouraging further exploration, such as newsletter sign-ups.

Meta descriptions: Persuasive text in search results that encourages clicks

Make More Money With These CTAs (Call-to-Action Masterclass)

Why CTAs matter?

CTAs are crucial for:

Driving action: Directing users to perform specific actions;
Increasing engagement: Encouraging deeper interaction with your content;
Creating focus: Guiding users toward your desired goal;
Boosting conversions: Turning visitors into customers;
Generating leads: Capturing user information for future engagement;
Measuring performance: Tracking effectiveness and optimizing strategies.

Tips for optimizing CTAs

Be clear & concise: Use straightforward language and keep it brief. For example, “Download Your Free PDF Today” is better than “Click here to download your free PDF today.”
Inspire action & urgency: Use strong verbs and create a sense of urgency. Phrases like “Shop now for 10% off!” are more compelling than “Our products are great.”
Avoid overloading: Too many CTAs can confuse users. Focus on the primary action you want them to take, like “Add to Cart” on a product page.
Ensure visibility: Make CTAs stand out without overwhelming the user experience. Use contrasting colors and place them strategically above the fold and within content. Ensure they are prominent on mobile devices too.

Implement these strategies to convert your site’s visitors into loyal customers.

Attracting backlinks with white papers

White papers are a powerful tool for building authority and attracting backlinks. Our client saw significant improvements in their link profile and SEO performance by publishing detailed, research-driven white papers.

What are white papers?

White papers are comprehensive documents that offer in-depth analysis and solutions to specific issues. They are more detailed than blog posts and often require users to provide contact information before accessing them. Here’s an example.

SEO benefits of white papers

Build authority: Showcases expertise and enhances your site’s credibility;
Generate backlinks: Attracts links from reputable sources, boosting SEO;
Increase traffic: Drives targeted visitors seeking valuable information;
Enhance keyword optimization: Integrates relevant keywords naturally;
Encourage social sharing: Boosts reach and visibility through social media;
Support long-term traffic: Continues to attract visitors and links over time.

By publishing well-researched white papers, you can enhance your site’s authority, drive more traffic, and improve your SEO performance.

How to write white papers that attract backlinks

Writing a white paper doesn’t have to be daunting. With a solid plan, even a beginner can craft a white paper that draws backlinks and boosts SEO.

1. Pick a relevant topic

Choose a topic that addresses your audience’s key challenges or interests. For example, if your company offers AI tools for social media management, consider topics like “AI Tools for Effective Social Media Marketing” or “Streamlining Social Media Content Creation with AI.”

2. Craft an engaging title

Your title should be:

Concise: Straight to the point;
Captivating: Grab attention;
Keyword-rich: Include terms your audience searches for.

Example: “Maximizing Social Media Engagement with AI Tools”

3. Do your research

Gather credible data and insights to back up your white paper. Use a mix of:

Primary research: Surveys and interviews;
Expert interviews: Opinions from industry leaders;
Case studies: Real-world examples and success stories;
Secondary research: Industry reports and existing literature.

4. Structure clearly

Your white paper should include:

Executive summary: Briefly introduce the topic and purpose;
Problem definition: Explain the issue your paper addresses;
Main body: Divide into sections with clear headings, supported by data and visuals;
Solution description: Detail how your solution addresses the problem;
Case studies: Provide real-life examples;
Conclusion: Summarize key points and recommendations;
Calls to action: Encourage readers to take the next step, like contacting you or visiting your website.

5. Design a compelling landing page

Create a landing page with:

Engaging headline: Use the white paper title;
Persuasive introduction: Summarize the benefits of reading your white paper;
Appealing imagery: Use relevant visuals;
Clear CTA: Make it easy to download or access the paper.

Promote your white paper across your website, social media, and industry publications. Encourage sharing to attract backlinks.

Results

With a well-crafted white paper, you can significantly boost organic traffic and keyword rankings. For instance, within a year, our example saw a 3,773% increase in monthly sessions and top rankings for hundreds of keywords.

Conclusion

This case study highlights how a user-first SEO strategy led to an extraordinary 3,773% increase in organic traffic, rising from 1,040 to 40,284 monthly sessions.

Key strategies included: