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15 Proven Ways to Increase Organic Traffic (Zero Vanity Metrics)

Picture of Ian Spencer By  Ian Spencer  ·  4 minute read

If you’re running a B2B startup or a lean growth team, organic traffic isn’t just a marketing KPI — it’s your path to sustainable visibility.

Paid ads stop the moment you stop spending.
Organic, on the other hand? Done right, it compounds.

But too many founders treat SEO like an afterthought — or worse, hand it off to an agency and hope it magically delivers leads.

The truth is: organic traffic is earned. Not overnight, not by hacks — but by building useful, intentional systems that get sharper over time.

This guide covers 15 proven strategies that don’t just chase rankings — they drive qualified traffic, real engagement, and long-term growth.

1. Start With Real Keyword Research, Not Guesswork

Too many startups build content based on what they think people search for.
Start instead with long-tail, intent-driven queries. These are more specific, less competitive, and better aligned with what your actual audience needs.

Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or even Google Search Console to uncover:

  • Questions your audience already asks

  • Keywords with buyer intent

  • Gaps your competitors haven’t covered

Target phrases like “best inventory software for food distributors”, not just “inventory software”.

2. Write Like a Human, Optimise Like a Machine

Google rewards useful, relevant, and original content.
That means ditching keyword stuffing and robotic intros, and writing with actual clarity.

Once your draft is done, optimise:

  • Title tags: punchy and relevant

  • Meta descriptions: compelling and click-worthy

  • Header tags: logical hierarchy with relevant subtopics

  • Keyword usage: natural, not forced

Good SEO writing isn’t about tricking algorithms. It’s about making life easier for readers — and Google notices.

3. Make Long-Form Content That Actually Deserves to Rank

Content length alone doesn’t win — but depth often does.

If you’re writing about “how to launch a product in retail”, don’t deliver 400 words of fluff. Deliver the playbook.

Include:

  • Real examples

  • FAQs

  • Visuals (diagrams, screenshots)

  • Internal and external links

  • Updated stats and trends

If you don’t know the topic deeply, don’t write it — or better yet, interview someone who does.

4. Keep Your Site Speed Lightning Fast

Google cares about user experience — and slow-loading sites lose traffic before they even see your headline.

Run your site through PageSpeed Insights and fix the basics:

  • Compress images

  • Use a lightweight theme

  • Minimise JavaScript and CSS bloat

  • Enable caching

  • Choose better hosting if needed

Speed = trust. Trust = engagement. Engagement = better rankings.

5. Use Internal Links to Build Topic Clusters

Linking your own pages together does two important things:

  1. It helps search engines understand the structure of your site

  2. It keeps users engaged longer

If you have 5 posts on B2B lead generation, link them together under a central "pillar" page.

Use clear anchor text like “our lead qualification checklist” — not generic phrases like “click here.”

6. Update Old Content Like It’s an Asset (Because It Is)

Don’t just keep publishing new posts. Your older content holds hidden value — especially if it already ranks.

Go back and:

  • Update stats

  • Improve structure

  • Add missing information

  • Fix broken links

  • Refresh images or screenshots

Google loves freshness. A six-month-old post with timely updates often outranks a brand-new one.

7. Build Backlinks the Right Way (No Spam, No Shortcuts)

Backlinks are still a signal of authority — but Google now punishes manipulative linking schemes.

Focus on quality over quantity. Here’s how:

  • Create genuinely valuable resources (e.g. research, frameworks, templates)

  • Pitch relevant blogs or publications in your space

  • Provide expert insights to journalists (via platforms like HARO or Help a B2B Writer)

  • Collaborate on guest content with aligned brands

If your content helps their audience, they’ll link back naturally.

8. Use Schema Markup to Enhance Visibility

Schema markup (structured data) helps Google understand the context of your content.

It can result in:

  • Rich snippets (star ratings, FAQs, images)

  • Higher click-through rates

  • Better results in voice search or featured snippets

You don’t need to code — tools like Schema Builder or plugins like RankMath make it point-and-click.

9. Create Topical Authority, Not Just Random Blog Posts

Google is shifting towards rewarding experts, not content mills.

That means building depth in key topic areas. Don’t just write one post about B2B sales strategy — write 10 that answer adjacent questions, share case studies, frameworks, and niche use cases.

The more you own a topic area, the more Google will trust you — and the more users will return.

10. Use Video and Visuals to Extend Reach

Search engines now include video results, image carousels, and rich media in standard listings.

By embedding:

  • YouTube videos (optimised with transcripts and tags)

  • Infographics

  • Visual summaries of complex content

...you not only improve rankings, but also keep users engaged longer — which is another SEO signal.

11. Mobile-Optimise Everything

Mobile-first indexing means Google prioritises how your site looks and performs on phones.

That means:

  • Responsive design

  • Large tap targets

  • Short paragraphs and scannable content

  • Fast-loading assets on mobile

If your mobile experience is broken, your rankings (and bounce rate) will suffer — no matter how good the content.

12. Answer Real Questions, Not Just Keywords

Use tools like AlsoAsked, AnswerThePublic, or Reddit threads to find actual questions your audience asks.

Then answer them clearly in your post:

  • Use the question as a subheading

  • Answer it in the first line

  • Expand with context, examples, or step-by-step instructions

This can land you in Google’s “People Also Ask” box — high visibility, zero ad spend.

13. Get Found Locally (If It Matters to Your Model)

If you’re a local B2B service, agency, or hybrid business, local SEO is gold.

Steps:

  • Optimise your Google Business Profile

  • Use location-based landing pages

  • Include local schema markup

  • Get listed on relevant directories

Local search is often high-intent — and much less competitive than national keywords.

14. Promote Your Content Strategically (Don’t Just Publish and Pray)

Just hitting “publish” isn’t enough.

Share across your owned channels:

  • LinkedIn (with a point-of-view summary)

  • Email newsletters

  • Partner Slack groups or communities

  • Direct outreach to prospects or customers who’d benefit

Search engines look at engagement signals. Promotion fuels that.

15. Track the Right Metrics (And Ignore the Noise)

Don’t obsess over impressions or traffic volume. Focus on:

  • Click-through rate (CTR)

  • Bounce rate and time on page

  • Conversions or pipeline created

  • Top-performing entry pages

  • Keyword movement over time

Use Google Analytics, Search Console, and tools like Ahrefs or Fathom to track progress — but don’t let the data distract from your goal: quality traffic, not just more traffic.

Final Word: Organic Traffic Is a Flywheel, Not a Shortcut

If you’re looking for a quick win, this isn’t it.
But if you’re looking to build something that pays dividends for years — this is how you do it.

Organic traffic rewards:

  • Focused content

  • Technical clarity

  • Useful information

  • A genuine understanding of your audience

And once you get it moving, the flywheel spins faster with less input.

Founders who build around this win the long game. Not with tricks — with trust.