As a freelance writer, I get to work with many small businesses on their website content. One of the things that I always advise clients to do is to create a blog for their site and keep it updated with fresh content. There are several reasons why maintaining a blog is so important for a web content marketing strategy. Here’s why your small business needs a blog:
Boost Brand Visibility
If you can create content that grabs attention and catches interest, it can lead to shares on social sites, which helps boost brand visibility. The marketplace today is overcrowded in many niches, and the internet has opened people up to a world of possibilities. With so many competitors out there, branding is essential in order to set your business apart from the pack.
If you want to establish yourself as a reputable and recognizable brand, keep your blog updated regularly to get readers coming back often. Use your blog as a place to create shareable content that will get you seen and noticed on social sites like Pinterest, Instagram, facebook, etc.
Build SEO
One of the things that small businesses struggle with is distinguishing themselves from their competitors. Let’s face it, the web is saturated with information on every single subject these days. Getting those SEO keywords on your site in a natural way is critical for bringing in traffic.
Having a blog connected with your site gives you ample opportunities to build SEO since you can prepare relevant posts that contain both your main keywords and long tail keywords. Produce material that is aimed at your target market, and you should have no trouble getting those important keywords included in a natural way, rather than trying to flood your pages in the hopes of bringing in traffic.
Show Potential Customers that You’re Knowledgeable
If you’re a small business offering services, then a blog gives you the opportunity to showcase your knowledge. Let’s just say for example that your company specializes in gutter cleaning, installation, and repairs. You want to be sharing posts that let potential customers know you’re gutter cleaning experts. Provide them with info on the process of properly cleaning and maintaining gutters, share your thoughts on which types of products are best. Share your knowledge and insight, and demonstrate that you are experienced and skilled. It will definitely help to build their confidence as they’re searching for the right company to contact for their gutter repair needs.
Give People a Behind the Scenes Look
People love to get a peek behind the curtain, and with a blog, you can give readers a behind the scenes look at what you do and how you do it. When customers can see who is behind a business and feel like they know something about the individual or the team, it makes things more personal. Giving them a glimpse of the inner workings of your operation is a good way to connect and create a sense of intimacy and familiarity.
A blog is just one part of a marketing plan, but it is one that you should not overlook or underestimate. When you have a blog that contains interesting, relevant info, you can then share it on social platforms. It gives you a way to connect and communicate with potential customers. If you don’t already have a blog started for your small business, make sure that you prioritize it as soon as possible.
Agree! I started a blog a year ago without really understanding why except this immense need to share my knowledge investing in real estate. Now I realize that there is so much more to blogging that will help in the future, whether it is building another business, surrounding yourself with like minded people, and perpetual learning (love it).
Absolutely! Maintaining and updating a blog on a regular basis to promote services or events is the best way to drive traffic to your business website. But at the same time its not simple as it sounds.
I used to have one for my video editing site, but I found that I just didn’t have much to say and it didn’t seem to help me very much. I think having my BATB blog has sent more people to my other site than any kind of search. The jury is out for me on this one.