If you are just getting started with search engine optimization and website traffic building these articles are a good place to start -
First read this article, it's the ultimate Google primer and forms the basis for online marketing using search engines -
How to get a successful website in 12 months using only Google
Then read the
The Top 8 Search Engine Marketing Techniques - Part 1 and
The Top 8 Search Engine Marketing Techniques - Part 2.
After that take your pick from the most interesting articles in here
Google and Search Engine Optimisation.
If you are in a hurry and want traffic to your site immediately then you will have to pay for it. In that case you will want to use Google AdWords and before you do that you should take Perry Marshall's
free course on how to use Google AdWords effectively.