Are You Too Dependent On Google Traffic?

Between all the new Google updates such as Penguin update and the constant Panda updates. Let's not forget the EMD, Page Layout and DMCA updates - many online businesses have found themselves without traffic, customers and without the ability to pay rent.

Many of these sites depended almost 95% on Google traffic to get their visitors and ultimately their customers. When Google updates their algorithms, which they do fairly often, you are at risk of losing your business.

We've, as many people, have been preaching this for years. You should not solely rely on Google traffic to fuel your business. You need other channels for visitors, customers and to make a living.

A WebmasterWorld thread talks just about that.

Either find other traffic sources or customer acquisition sources or your are setting yourself up to be in big trouble. All major businesses look to diversify their businesses. You should also.

Examples include building out mobile apps, looking for social traffic and some old fashion word of mouth. Some people have day jobs and work on their web sites as secondary jobs. Some people have multiple web sites in totally different niches.

What do you do to diversify your online business income? How dependent are you on Google traffic?

Here are the traffic sources for this site:

I bet my Google traffic percentage would be a lot higher if I wasn't so stubborn but hey - maybe I am being proactive about diversifying my traffic? Just kidding.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.