4.5 - How To Get Organic Traffic Without SEO (SAAS)

 

 

 

How to Get Organic Traffic Without SEO: A Guide for SaaS Businesses

 

In the competitive world of online business, organic traffic is often seen as the holy grail. Most entrepreneurs believe that the only way to achieve this is through meticulous SEO strategies. While SEO is undoubtedly powerful, it is not the only method available. This article will explore an innovative approach to generating organic traffic for SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses without relying on traditional SEO methods.

 

Introduction to Organic Traffic Without SEO

 

Organic traffic refers to visitors who come to your website without being directed by paid advertisements or other paid marketing efforts. Traditionally, this traffic is achieved through SEO, where your content is optimized to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). However, SEO can be time-consuming, competitive, and often requires ongoing effort and expertise.

 

A compelling alternative: leveraging the power of a URL shortening service to generate consistent, evergreen organic traffic. This approach not only provides a steady flow of visitors but can also create recurring income with minimal initial investment.

 

The Concept: Launching Your Own URL Shortening Service

 

What is a URL Shortening Service?

A URL shortening service, like TinyURL or Bitly, allows users to take a long, cumbersome web address and convert it into a much shorter link. This is particularly useful for sharing links on social media platforms, in emails, or in any context where space is limited.

 

These services attract millions of users and, consequently, generate significant web traffic. By starting your own URL shortening service, you can tap into this vast potential and redirect a portion of that traffic to your own website or offer.

 

Why Start a URL Shortening Service?

 

Starting a URL shortening service offers several advantages:

 

1. Traffic Generation - Every time someone uses your shortened URL, they are essentially driving traffic through your domain. With a little ingenuity, you can direct some of this traffic to your own offers, affiliate links, or other revenue-generating pages.

 

2. Low Cost - Setting up a URL shortening service is surprisingly affordable. With the availability of ready-made SaaS scripts on platforms like CodeCanyon, you can get started with a fully functional service for as little as $45.

 

3. Evergreen Potential - Once established, a URL shortening service can generate traffic consistently over time. Users often return to shorten multiple URLs, providing you with recurring visitors and ongoing exposure.

 

4. Monetization Opportunities - Besides the free service, you can offer premium versions with added features, such as no ads or additional tracking capabilities, generating a recurring income.

 

 

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your URL Shortening Service

 

Step 1: Purchase the Necessary Software

To get started, you need a reliable software solution that can handle the technical aspects of a URL shortening service. Purchase a premium URL shortener script from CodeCanyon. This script not only shortens URLs but also provides detailed analytics, tracking where your traffic comes from, the number of clicks, and more.

The script typically costs around $45, a fraction of what it would cost to develop such software from scratch. It includes both the back-end functionality and a well-designed front-end interface, making it easy to set up and start using immediately.

 

Step 2: Choose a Short Domain Name

The next step is to purchase a domain name for your service. Since the goal of a URL shortening service is to create shorter links, the domain name itself should be as short as possible. Avoid long or complex names that defeat the purpose of the service.

Domain registrars offer a variety of short domain name options. You may need to get creative, using different extensions (.us, .io, etc.) to find an available name that suits your service.

 

Step 3: Set Up a VPS (Virtual Private Server)

A URL shortening service requires a bit more power than a standard website because of the database interactions and tracking involved. For this reason, it’s recommended to use a Linux VPS (Virtual Private Server) rather than shared hosting.

You can find affordable VPS hosting options starting at around $8 per month. It’s also advisable to get a control panel like cPanel to manage your server easily. This will bring your monthly cost to about $24, which is still very reasonable.

 

Step 4: Install the Software on Your VPS

If you’re not technically inclined, you might worry about installing the software on your server. However, this process is straightforward, and you can easily hire a freelancer to handle it. Websites like Freelancer offer access to skilled programmers who can install your script for as little as $25.

When posting your project, be as descriptive as possible to ensure the freelancer understands exactly what you need. Once installed, you’ll have a fully operational URL shortening service ready to go.

 

Step 5: Monetize Your Service

With your service up and running, the next step is to start generating income. There are several ways to monetize your URL shortening service:

 

1. Display Ads - One of the simplest methods is to display ads on the page users see before being redirected to their final destination. These ads can be for your own products, affiliate offers, or third-party advertisements.

 

2. Premium Subscriptions - Offer a premium version of your service where users can pay a small monthly fee to remove ads, access additional features, or get enhanced analytics.

 

3. Banner Ads and Email Signups - Besides the ads on the redirect page, you can place banner ads or a newsletter signup form on your service’s homepage, further increasing your monetization opportunities.

 

Step 6: Promote Your Service

 

To drive users to your URL shortening service, you need to promote it effectively. Here are some strategies to consider:

 

1. YouTube Videos - Create videos explaining the benefits of your URL shortening service. Demonstrate how it works and the advantages of using your service over competitors.

 

2. Social Media - Share links to your service on social media platforms. Encourage users to try it out and share their shortened URLs, spreading the word organically.

 

3. Content Marketing - Write blog posts or guest articles about URL shortening, linking back to your service as a recommended tool.

 

4. Partnerships - Partner with influencers or businesses that frequently share links, offering them free or premium access to your service in exchange for promotion.

 

The Long-Term Benefits of a URL Shortening Service

 

Evergreen Traffic Generation

One of the most significant advantages of starting a URL shortening service is the potential for evergreen traffic. As users continually shorten and share URLs, your service will see a steady stream of visitors, many of whom will return regularly.

 

Recurring Income

With a subscription model, even a modest monthly fee from a significant user base can create a reliable source of income. Over time, as your service gains popularity, this income can grow substantially.

 

Building an Asset

Beyond just generating traffic and income, a successful URL shortening service can become a valuable online asset. With a growing user base and consistent traffic, your service could be sold on platforms like Flippa for a considerable sum. As Matthew May points out, even smaller sites can sell for thousands of dollars, providing a lucrative exit strategy if you decide to move on to another project.

 

Expanding to Other SaaS Opportunities

Once you’ve mastered the URL shortening service, you might consider expanding into other SaaS opportunities. Platforms like CodeCanyon offer a wide range of SaaS scripts, allowing you to start other services such as SEO tools, business directories, or even classified ad sites. Each of these services can generate additional traffic and income streams.

 

Conclusion: A New Approach to Organic Traffic

While SEO remains a powerful tool for driving organic traffic, it’s not the only option. By leveraging the power of SaaS, particularly through a URL shortening service, you can create a consistent, evergreen traffic source that requires minimal ongoing effort. This approach not only generates traffic but also provides multiple monetization opportunities, helping you build a profitable online business.

 

Starting a URL shortening service is affordable, easy to set up, and scalable. With the right promotion and strategic planning, you can turn this simple idea into a successful venture that continues to grow over time. If you’re looking for an innovative way to drive organic traffic to your website, consider giving this method a try. You might just find that it’s the missing piece in your traffic generation strategy.