Hit by an Organic Traffic Drop? Here’s How to Address It

You’ve checked your website stats, and see that your site is experiencing an organic traffic drop. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s real people, potential visitors, not finding your site. 

It’s tough not knowing why this is happening. You rely on this traffic, and each drop feels like your efforts don’t seem to pay off.

But don’t worry; this is a common issue. We’ve been in your shoes, dealing with these dips and finding ways to recover. In this article, we’ll share those insights to help you understand what’s happening and how to boost your traffic again.

TL;DR: If your organic traffic is dropping, use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to identify issues. Then, they can be fixed with SEO audits and content updates to recover. Ensure your WordPress site is secure to maintain traffic, as threats like malware can harm your site’s reputation and search rankings.

What is organic traffic?

Organic traffic occurs when people find your website through search engines like Google without paying for ads. When someone types a question or keyword into Google, your site appears in the results, and they click on it to visit your page. This makes organic traffic a budget-friendly option.

High organic traffic indicates that your website is thriving on its own. It shows that your content is both relevant and useful to users, aligning with their search queries. Because people find your site through this helpful content, organic traffic helps build trust with your audience.

Why your site is going through an organic traffic drop

If you’ve noticed a drop in your organic traffic, it’s important to understand the possible reasons. Let’s break it down:

Domain authority and site downtime

Domain authority reflects your site’s credibility to search engines. If this has decreased, your site might rank lower, leading to less traffic. Also, if your site has been down recently, you may have missed potential visitors during that period.

Search engine algorithm updates

Search engines like Google regularly update their algorithms to decide how sites are ranked. If there’s been a recent change, your site could be affected. Staying informed about these updates is crucial to maintaining your ranking.

Technical issues

Technical problems such as broken links or pages that load slowly can turn visitors away. Make sure your site is running smoothly, as these issues can frustrate users and lead them to leave your site quickly.

Competition

Your competitors might have improved their sites, which can push yours lower in search results. It’s important to keep an eye on what your competitors are doing and ensure your site stays competitive.

Content relevance

If your content is outdated or doesn’t match what people are searching for, it could lead to a drop in traffic. Regularly updating your content to keep it fresh and relevant is key.

Backlinks and SEO settings

Losing backlinks—links from other sites to yours—can hurt your ranking. These links act as endorsements, and losing them can impact your credibility. Also, check your SEO settings to ensure everything is optimized for current standards.

Changes in user behavior

User interests and search habits can change over time, affecting your traffic. Pay attention to trends and adjust your content to meet new demands.

Penalties and site changes

If your site has received a penalty for not following search engine guidelines, it could explain the drop in traffic. Make sure your site complies with all rules. Additionally, if you’ve recently redesigned or moved your site, search engines might have trouble indexing it correctly, which can affect visibility.

Diagnosing the organic traffic drop

If your website’s organic traffic is dropping, there are a few steps you can take to figure out why. Let’s start with some simple tools:

Using Google Analytics and Search Console

First, check Google Analytics for any sudden drops in page views or visits. This helps you see when the decline started. Then, look at Google Search Console to find any alerts or warnings about your site. 

These tools can also show which pages or keywords are losing traffic. Pay attention to changes in user behavior, like if people are leaving your site quicker than before.

Conducting an SEO audit

Next, do an SEO audit to make sure your site is following good practices. Look for broken links or errors that might make your site hard to navigate. Ensure your pages are showing up correctly in search results and check for missing or repeated meta tags and descriptions. Also, check if your site is loading slowly and works well on phones and tablets.

Strategies to recover lost organic traffic

Once you’ve figured out the problem, here’s how you can start getting your traffic back:

Updating and enhancing content

Revise old content to make it relevant and up-to-date. Add new keywords that match what people are currently searching for. Include images or videos to make your content more engaging.

Improving technical SEO

Work on optimizing images and scripts to help your pages load faster. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly so it looks good on any device. Fix any errors in your sitemap that might prevent search engines from crawling your site.

Building quality backlinks

Reach out to reputable websites for backlinks, which can improve your site’s credibility. Create content that others will want to share, attracting links naturally. Join industry forums or discussions to find more linking opportunities.

Best practices to prevent future organic traffic drops

To keep your traffic steady, follow these best practices:

• Regularly update your site and content to keep it fresh and relevant.

• Monitor Google Analytics and Search Console for early signs of changes.
• Stay informed about updates to search engine algorithms.
• Keep building quality backlinks to strengthen your site.
• Make sure your site is mobile-friendly and loads quickly.
• Conduct regular SEO audits to catch and fix any issues early.
• Engage with your audience to understand their changing interests.
• Use keywords that match current search trends.
• Improve website navigation for a better user experience.
• Avoid any bad SEO tactics that could lead to penalties.

Parting thoughts

Understanding why your organic traffic is dropping is crucial for getting back on track. Using tools like Google Analytics and Search Console helps you pinpoint issues affecting your site. Regular monitoring and maintenance, including SEO audits, site audits, updates, and content refreshes, are essential to keep your traffic growing and your website healthy.

FAQs

Why is my organic search traffic dropping?

Your organic search traffic might be dropping due to changes in search engine algorithms, technical issues on your site, or outdated content. Regularly checking for these factors can help you identify and fix the problem.

What is organic traffic?

Organic traffic is when people visit your website through search engines like Google without you paying for ads. It’s a budget-friendly way to attract genuine visitors to your site.

How to get traffic organically?

To get traffic organically, focus on creating high-quality content and using effective SEO strategies, like choosing the right keywords and building backlinks. This helps search engines find and recommend your site.

How would you handle a sudden drop in organic traffic?

To handle a sudden drop in organic traffic, first, use Google Analytics and Search Console to diagnose the issue. Then, fix any technical problems and update your content to make it more relevant.

Is organic traffic good for SEO?

Yes, organic traffic is good for SEO because it shows that your site is relevant and valuable to users. High organic traffic can boost your site’s credibility and improve its ranking on search engines.