Blogging, which started in the mid-nineties as a personal hobby, has today gone moved far beyond just that, turning into a powerful medium that many rely on for a source of income, and brands rely on to connect with and engage customers.

 

Some startling facts: In 1999, there were just 23 blogs written in a single year. Today over 1.5 billion blogs can be found on online. That’s a new blog created every half a second! Moreover, 1 in 5 bloggers worldwide update his/her blog daily, with the highest time for user engagement between 7 am to 10 am in the morning.

 

So, why have blogs become a widely adopted medium for brands to convey their message? Why is blogging so important for your website? What impact does blogging have and at the end of the day, how can it set you apart? Well, in addition to the obvious generating fresh content for your website, blog also provide a catalyst for email marketing, social media promotion and driving increased site traffic.

 

Still on the fence? Here are some key pointers why you need to start a blog on your website today.

 

Helps your website be found

Creating a blog post means creating one more indexed page on your website, another opportunity for your audience to find you online. Creating content regularly informs search engines such as Google that your website is actively updated and authoritative in the content you’re producing. This boots your rankings for relevant search engine queries.

 

Adds value to your website

Blog posts are easier to promote due to their highly ‘social media friendly’ nature and more likely to be shared by your readers on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. Hence, this equates to free promotion for your business!

 

Provides additional entry points for your website for organic traffic (from Google and other Search Engines)

As cliché as it may sound – ‘Content is still King’. Search engines love fresh, useful and relevant content and it can be most effective in driving new visitors to your website. A little keyword research can tell you what your target market is most interested in and help you create content that resonates with them, bringing them to your website and learning more about your offerings.

 

Converts traffic to leads

Attracting new visitors to your website gives your platform new opportunities to generate leads. A good CTA and the right mix of effective marketing can generate leads to increase brand sales.

 

Blogs provide long term value

Once a blog is indexed in search engines, it’s there to stay. That’s a permanent, ongoing opportunity for potential customers to find you.

 

Blogs give your company a voice

Blogging allows you to share information about your brand and its offerings to a large audience. It allows you to share thoughts and opinions about certain topics. It positions your brand as an industry expert and thought leader. Quality content makes it more likely that people will visit your website, talk about your services and share you content on social media.

 

Convinced yet? If you’re ready to dive in, we included some general structural guidelines to keep in mind to maximize the value of your content writing:

 

  • Interesting headline to grab attention
  • Create hierarchy with sub-titles, numbered lists and bullet points when appropriate
  • Icons with social media profiles so that readers can easily share
  • A Call to Action that resonates with your target group
  • Internal links to complementary articles or sections on the site

Happy blogging!