If you’re looking for additional ways to connect with your customers and build your presence online, a blog could be a great resource for your business.
A blog is a newsfeed-like platform that lives on your business’ website. Many small businesses use it to share with their customers news about new products and services, as well as thought leadership and advice relevant to their industry and customers. It can also be used to optimise their website’s online presence.
Here are our top four reasons you should consider a blog for your website:
1. You can find common ground and build a relationship with your customers
Traditionally, the website content of many businesses has spoken at customers, rather than allowing them to engage in thoughtful content that matters to them. Blogs can break down one-way communication, and open up a two-way conversation with customers.
Studies have shown that people are more interested in investing in meaningful brands and businesses. In showcasing your business’ innovative thoughts and forward-thinking ideas, a blog may be a great way to rise above companies offering similar products and services, and connect with brand-conscious customers on topics that matter to them.
2. A blog can be a one-stop-shop for SEO
A keyword is a word a customer would type into a search engine to find your business. A blog, which acts as a pool of keyword-laden new content that lives on your website, is fantastic for Search Engine Optimization. The more keywords it uses relevant to your product or service the more prominent your site can be in search engine results, in turn boosting visitors to your website.
3. Blog content can double as social media content
Many small-business owners are time-poor and under-resourced, and struggle to maintain social media accounts. However, 52 per cent of social-media marketers from around the world say that social media activity positively influences business revenue, and small businesses should be active on social media to compete with bigger companies.
One of the best things about maintaining an active blog is that the content can be shared across social channels. For the days where you don’t have time to create new social content, you can count on having engaging blog content ready that you can quickly share on your social media accounts to maintain your social media buzz.
Better still, sharing your content across social media will encourage your customers to comment on your post, and get involved in sharing their thoughts. They can then engage their own personal social networks, in turn expanding your business’ reach.
4. Maintaining your blog doesn’t need to be stressful
A blog may seem like a huge workload for a small-business owner, but it doesn’t have to be. There are online tools that can make it quick and easy to build and manage a blog.
It might be helpful to consider hiring a freelance content writer for your blog. Freelancers are a cost-effective way to keep it updated and fresh, and can prevent the writing from sounding too “salesy”.
Done well, a business blog can allow you to showcase the personality that drives your brand and better connect you with your customers. It may just be the next step to maximising your small business’s potential.
Tara Commerford, Vice President and Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, GoDaddy
