We all know that at the core of it all traffic is the most essential thing to an internet based business' success. Aside from ensuring that you have a great product to sell, and you have your business's internal organization, like product distribution, well taken care of, it would be time to get to the heart of things, generating website visitors.

If you already have a site and you think that you're not getting the traffic that expect or need, then it's time to reconsider where you've been focusing your resources. To be successful in this very competitive business, you always have to be a step ahead of your competition and increasing your flow of potential customers should probably have started yesterday.

It's an old adage but it still holds true: Timing IS everything. With generating traffic, you should always be on your toes and be a day ahead of everyone. Never think of tomorrow as a starting point, think of today as the day. Ideally it should have been yesterday.

To help you out in generating more traffic for your site, here are seven surefire ways to start increasing it starting today.

1) Optimize your website around proper keywords or keyword phrases.

For most websites the highest volume of traffic will come from search engines. The higher your website appears on results pages the more likely you will see increased visitors. Selecting and using the right keyword for your website is a key component to search engine optimization.

2) Invest in good advertising with Search Engines.

Google's Adwords and Yahoo's Search Marketing programs provide great advertising opportunities that can generate highly targeted traffic. Although this is an excellent way to jumpstart your traffic it does cost money. While some website owners shy away from spending money to increase traffic, it is important that you at least consider it. Consider getting professional assistance. When done correctly, search engine marketing can be very cost effective. When done poorly it can just be very costly.

3) Build one-way and reciprocal links to your website.

Links to your site have a two-fold value. First, they provide ways for people to find your website as they visit related websites. Second, they help boost the importance of your website's pages in search engines like Google and Yahoo!. Consider requesting link exchanges with other websites that have similar (but not competing) content. Also, look for opportunities to build one-way links like leaving comments on other websites and blogs.

4) Use Viral Marketing.

Viral marketing allows you to spread the word about your company and product for little or relatively low costs. This is a marketing method that can be quite effective; you can attach your company's name, product or link to media such as a funny video, an entertaining game, an interesting article or something that will create ?buzz.? The goal is to get people interested enough to pass the content, and your link, to others. If done correctly you can create a virtual army of people willing to promote your business.

5) Join forums and online communities and become an active participant.

Look for forums that are relevant to your products, services or expertise. Review existing comments and offer insightful reviews, comments or assistance. Again, this builds your expert status and provides another great opportunity to include a link to your website in your signature.

6) Write and publish relevant articles.

Submit original articles that are highly relevant to your website's content to highly ranked article distribution sites like EzineArticles or Article Dashboard. For instance, if you sell animal toys write articles about how to select the right toys for your dog. Use the resource box to include a description of your site or services and most importantly, include a link to your website. Articles not only provide links back to your website (see method 2) but also help establish you as an expert in your field.

7) Lastly, produce newsletters or e-zines.

Newsletters can be an invaluable way to get leads of potential customers and provide a way to turn those leads into loyal customers. By offering newsletters that contain valuable, unique content you can attract subscribers who are interested in what you're offering. If they find the information valuable they are more likely to turn to your website when they need a product or service.

There are many other ways to generate website but these are surefire ways that you can use to get started today. You only have customers to lose by not getting started now.