If you are a small business, blogging can seem to be just another fiddly, time consuming thing to add to the list of fiddly, time consuming things that you are not sure are worth the effort – but it is! Although blogging in general started back in the late 90’s as a sort of online public diary with a following, it has now grown into a platform that is used by millions of people and businesses all over the world.
The internet is used more and more these days to help people find things that they are looking for. A well written, informative and entertaining blog will not only help attract new customers through the internet, but it is an easy and effective way to keep current customers engaged with your products and coming back for more. A good, regularly updated business blog should be an essential part of any business plan these days.
Done properly a business blog will improve your websites search engine optimisation. This means that when a potential customer goes to a search engine, such as google, for something that your company does and they get that long list of search results, your blog will be one of the first options given to them, making them far more likely to click on your site than if your company appears on page 13. Yes, well written SEO rich content on your webpages will boost your rankings, but search engines love to see regular fresh content and are far more likely to place websites that are seen to be ‘in use’ at the top of the list. A weekly blog update is an excellent way to keep those search engines happy.
If a potential customer comes across your blog during a google search and can see that you are proactive on it, have discussions, showcase your products – essentially know what it is that you are talking about – then they are going to feel far happier about ordering from you, especially if it is through an online shop. It allows you far more opportunities to connect with customers and create a rapport and a reputation for customer service.
Your blog can also be used as a marketing tool to drive readers through to your website and/or online shop. Though be careful about overdoing the sales pitch – people read blogs for information and entertainment, not the hard sell.
In this online entrenched age, blogging just makes sense. With minimal effort and expense, you can build credibility, boost search engine rankings, increase website traffic, and foster relationships with potential and current customers. This is an opportunity no small business should pass up.
But, if it is all still a bit fiddly and time consuming for you to actually do yourself, never fear, there are plenty of excellent writers who make their living creating thoughtful, informative and interesting blogs for businesses just like yours. Terri Brown (that’s me!) is one of them and I am happy to help you.
…see what I did there?