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| Blogging for business |
There have been countless debates over whether your business website should have a blog. But let's face it – it's not up for discussion. Your biz needs a blog.
Blogging is one of the best tools you have to connect with your customers. Businesses that blog attract 55 per cent more visitors to their websites. Which means more leads, and more sales. Capisce?
If you haven't started your business blog yet, pay attention:
Regular content
Publishing regular content helps drive more visitors to your website. Think about the number of pages on your website, and how frequently they're updated. It probably doesn't amount to much, right?
But each time you add a blog post, you're adding one more indexed page (aka Magical Google Juice) to your site. Which sends a message to Google that your website is active and is frequently updated. And Google loves fresh content.
This means one more opportunity for people –
potential customers – to find you.
Keyword focus
Each time you blog, you have a fresh SEO opportunity. People search for all kinds of random stuff online, but if you target a few niche keyword phrases with each blog post, there's a better chance you'll attract relevant prospects. (And we like relevant prospects, don't we?)
Targeting keyword phrases is one more cue to Google that you're worth checking out, because it loves relevant content as much as it loves the fresh stuff.
Link building
Let's be honest: not many bloggers will want to include links to your products and services page – it isn't really the done thing. But by writing an informative and interesting blog post that's specific to your industry, yet not especially business or sales focused, you're providing the perfect link material.
Google likes that too, because the more links you have, the more authority you have, which also helps you climb those search engine rankings.
Brand building
Maintaining a business blog also helps to build your brand and establish your authority. It creates a place for you to discuss new products and services, and comment on timely news or market trends. This gives you a prime opportunity to establish yourself as an authority in your field, and is the perfect way to give your brand a voice, by letting your personality shine through and showing people who you are and what's important to you.
Examples of excellent business blogs
Now that you're convinced business blogging is the way forward (right?), here are some examples of blogs that have got it right:
Copyblogger – Copyblogger is an enormous site, with a wealth of information about online marketing. It's managed to create a loyal following, ensuring that any new information will quickly spread. It's also the perfect way to plug its software, which helps put its advice into practice.
Ecoki – Ecoki offers a wide range of articles dedicated to ecological living. It looks stylish and professional, and appears so dedicated to sharing news about green living that its products seem to be merely a sideline.
Nuts About Southwest – Southwest Airline's blog is one of the most popular airline blogs around. It's designed to build a rapport between the company and their customers, and its key to success is understanding the needs and interests of its loyal fan base.
Today the internet is crowded with business websites. Blogging on a regular basis will help you stand out from the crowd, attract more visitors, establish your brand, and encourage a deeper connection with your audience. Yay blogging!
