There’s no doubt that blogging is good for business. It’s an effective, inexpensive way to offer quality content to current and potential customers and establish your brand as an expert in your industry.
In a digital world bombarded with content, a blog offers a point of difference – if done correctly. Building a long-term audience and fostering an online community is a great opportunity to connect with users and grow trust in your business by offering valueable insights.
A brief history of blogging
It is generally recognised that the first blog was Links.net created by Justin Hall in 1994, with the New York Times Magazine dubbing him the ‘founding father of personal bloggers’.
The late nineties saw a rise in resources created for bloggers, with Open Diary launching in 1998, quickly becoming a pivotal blogging platform. A year later, Blogger (which would be acquired by Google) and LiveJournal launching in 1999.
‘Blog’ was Merriam-Webster’s Word of the year in 2004, describing a blog as an “online journal where the writer presents a record of activities, thoughts, or beliefs”.
Fast forward to 2023, and it is estimated that there are over 600 million public blogs out of more than 1.9 billion websites.
Is it important to have a blog on my website?
Having a blog depends on your goals, audience, and content strategy. It is a powerful tool for content marketing, as regularly publishing valuable and relevant content can attract and engage your audience.
The challenge of maintaining a blog comes down to your time and resources. If you’re unable to produce quality content and post regularly, it might not be the best use of your resources and you might want to invest in paid advertising or traditional marketing efforts.
Many businesses find great success with blogs.
Blogs establish credibility in a variety of industries including e-commerce, consulting, trades and construction, professional services, tech and software, travel and hospitality and educational institutions.
It can help your business stand out amongst competition, making you the topical authority and showcasing your knowledge and expertise.
4 Benefits of Blogging for Business
If you are still on the fence about whether to integrate a blog into your website, consider the following compelling benefits that blogging can bring to your business:
1. Increase Brand Awareness
Stay competitive and stand out online with high quality blog content. Blogging provides a platform for your business to showcase its personality, values, and expertise. By consistently producing high-quality content that resonates with your audience, you can create a strong brand identity and as readers engage with your blog, they become more familiar with your business, leading to increased recognition and trust.
2. Boost Website SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website. Search engines love new, relevant content and a blog is the perfect way to continually update your website. By including relevant keywords in your blog posts, and by producing valuable, shareable content, you can improve your website’s search engine ranking which leads to increased visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find your business online.
3. Build Authority in Your Industry
Positioning your business as an authority in your industry is a great way to gain the trust of your audience. Blogging allows you to share your knowledge and insights, and when readers recognise you as an expert in the field, they may be inclined to choose your product or services, fostering customer loyalty, and enhancing your credibility in the digital space.
4. Provide Value to Your Audience
Consumers seek more than just products and services. They want valuable, informative content. A blog allows you to educate, entertain and provide relevant information that offers solutions to your audiences’ problems and answers their questions. This added value fosters a positive relationship with you audience. Helpful content can include how-to guides, industry insights and success stories.
Where do I start?
There are many different ways to approach creating a blog, but often getting started is the hardest part. The writing process is not always easy, but here are a few questions to consider before starting:
What should I blog about?
Blog about topics relevant to your industry, products, and services and remember to keep your audience in mind. Address common customer concerns, share industry insights, and provide helpful information. You can use AI to help you braintstorm a list of common questions asked by your customers!
How often should I post a blog?
The frequency of blogging depends on the business and its resources, but consistency is key. Aim for at least one quality post per week, and you always have the ability to repurpose your blog content across social media and other platforms.
How long should my blog post be?
Ideally, blog posts should be long enough to provide value and answer the reader’s questions. Around 1,000 words is a great starting point, but it can vary based on the topic and audience. The average length of the content in the top 10 results of search queries are over 2,000 words but it’s not an easy task for a company beginning their blogging journey.
Should I hire a professional writer?
Copywriters are skilled at creating engaging content and if writing isn’t your strong suit, a professional can help ensure that your blog posts are well-crafted and convey your message.
Creating a regular blog can be time-consuming, and if you are running a business, hiring a writer can save you time. With their knowledge in SEO, they can create content that aligns with your vision while helping you reach business goals such as raising brand awareness and loyalty.
Investing in your Business
Blogging for your business can make a big impact of your online success, but it’s a long-term investment that, when done effectivley, can yield significant results. From increasing visibility and boosting SEO to building authority and providing value to your audience, a blog can be a game-changer if you are looking to stand out in the digital marketplace.
So, if you’re still contemplating whether to start a blog for your website – the answer is yes!
Our team of experts can create a blog for your business and help to establish authority, improve SEO, engage with you audience, and provide valuable content for your customers.
Book a Free Discovery Session today!