Website owners, online marketers, and so-called gurus often disageee about the keys to success in the world of online business. But, there is one universal point of agreement: if you can’t get traffic to your site, your days are numbered. Nothing can compensate for a lack of website traffic.

Many webmasters spend a lot of money on advertising. They purchase large email campaigns, advertise on Google and Yahoo, and even buy radio and TV time. But, fortunately, you do not have to make expenditures of that magnitude.

Instead, try the following.

1. My favorite traffic generating technique is article wrting. That’s because it works…and it works quickly. The methodology is simple: write a few articles that the kinds of folks likely to visit your site will find interesting. Send them to article distribution websites…there are several services and software tools which make it simple. End each article with an author’s box (like mine, below) which includes a link or two to your website. Webmasters in need of content will reprint your article on their sites, and you will gain a link each time they do.

2. Send out emails offering to swap links with other website owners. Target those whose visitors might be interested in your site and those of high quality.

3. Got a really good site? Or, got something to offer other website owners (an ebook, a calendar, etc.)? If so, try for some one way links. One way links can move you up the search engine ranking ladder faster than reciprocal links because the search engines consider them a true endorsement of your site.

4. If you are not yet blogging, you are missing a great opportunity. The search engines love blogs. A post a week is optimal, but even a post a month can help. Be sure your website links to your blog and your blog links to your website(s).

5. Webmasters are not the only ones starved for content; the same frequently appliers to bloggers. Offer to supply them with guest blogs (which include author’s boxes).

6. One of the least utilized traffic generation tools is the press release. Press releases can be picked up by hundreds of websites, giving you hundreds of (almost) instant links. There are several services which will distribute your website (some at no cost) and at least 3-4 pieces of software you can use to get your releases out.

If you do not have confidence in your writing skills, you can purchase private label rights (PLR) articles very inexpensively and/or hire a writer. If you do a little searching you can find writers who will produce blog posts for as little as $5 and articles for just $10. You will have to do some screening to find capable authors and the fees you pay may wind up being well above the aforementioned minimums. But, the investment is very small for the potential return. In fact, the strategies we have discussed can lead to relatively quick, significant search engine ranking boosts for your website.