Get Blogging! Grow your website, grow your business!

As a small business owner, you already know the importance of having a website. But have you considered how a blog can work with a website to help grow your business?

A blog can make a huge difference to your business growth, so long as you maintain and update it regularly. It brings in more traffic, improves your SEO and positions you as an expert in your industry.

If you’re not blogging yet, you’re missing out on a golden opportunity to grow your business online!

In this post, we’ll share the key benefits of blogging, how it can boost your website’s visibility and why it’s a secret weapon many businesses overlook.

Why blogging matters for your business

You may think that blogging is just for hobbyists or influencers. You'd be wrong to think that!

It’s one of the most effective tools for small businesses to attract, engage and convert potential customers.

Here’s why:

1. Boosts your website’s SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)

Search engines like Google love fresh, relevant content. Regularly publishing blog posts will give search engines more content to index, increasing the chances of your website appearing in search results.

This is crucial because 75% of users never scroll past the first page of Google. If you don’t rank well, you’ll lose potential customers or clients.

Blogging helps SEO by:

• Targeting long-tail keywords: These are specific search phrases that people use when looking for answers. Writing blog posts around these queries helps your website show up for a wider range of searches.
• Increasing internal linking opportunities: Linking to other pages on your site improves navigation and helps Google understand the structure of your content.
• Encouraging backlinks: When others link to your blog posts, it tells search engines your content is valuable, helping boost your site’s authority.
• Keeping your website active: An inactive website signals to search engines that it's outdated. A blog keeps things fresh and dynamic.

2. Builds brand awareness & authority

People aren't always as impulsive as we'd like them to be!

These days, people take the time to research, compare and look for helpful content before deciding to purchase your products or services. A blog positions your business as a trustworthy resource.

When you share insights, answer common customer questions and provide useful information, you establish credibility. Over time, potential customers begin to recognise your brand, trust your expertise and be more likely to choose you over competitors.

3. Supports E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness & Trustworthiness)

Google’s algorithm favours websites that demonstrate E-E-A-T.  A blog helps you meet these criteria by showcasing your knowledge and experience in your industry.

For example, if you run a bakery, writing about “The Science Behind the Perfect Sourdough” shows expertise. If you’re a marketing consultant, a post like “Top 5 Social Media Trends in 2024” highlights your industry knowledge.

The more valuable, well-researched content you produce, the more likely Google (and your customers) will see you as an authoritative and trustworthy source.

4. Engages your audience & builds relationships

If you thought a blog was just about selling, think again! It’s all about engaging with your audience.

Unlike static web pages, a blog creates opportunities for two-way communication through comments, social shares and feedback.

You can:

• Answer common customer questions in detail.
• Share behind-the-scenes stories about your business.
• Discuss industry trends and how they affect your customers.
• Offer tips, tricks and how-to guides that add value to your audience.

This type of engagement builds trust and keeps your brand top-of-mind when a potential customer is ready to buy.

5. Helps you outperform your competitors

Many small businesses still underestimate the power of blogging. This means that by simply
having a blog and posting consistently, you could outrank competitors who don’t.

Here’s how you gain the edge:

• Blogging allows you to target keywords that competitors might not be using.
• It gives you fresh content to share on social media and email newsletters, keeping your brand visible.
• It positions you as an industry leader, making it harder for competitors to match your authority.

6. Converts traffic into customers

As much as you want your blog to bring people to your site, you also want to convert that traffic into paying customers.

Each blog post should have a clear call to action (CTA) that encourages readers to take the next step. For example, readers could sign up for your newsletter, download a free guide or book a consultation.

By strategically placing CTAs within your blog, you can guide visitors through the buyer’s journey and increase the chances of conversion.

How to get started with blogging (without overcomplicating it!)

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry!

Blogging doesn’t have to add extra stress to your to-do list.

Here are some simple starting points to help get you going:

1. Define your goals

Before you start writing, ask yourself:

• Do I want to increase website traffic?
• Am I aiming to build brand awareness?
• Do I want to generate leads or sales?

Your goals will shape your blogging strategy.

2. Identify your audience

Really take some time to think about who you're writing for.

Understanding your audience’s pain points, questions and interests will help you create valuable, relevant content.

3. Plan your topics in advance

Instead of scrambling for ideas, create a content calendar with blog topics for the next few months.

Think about: 

• FAQs from your customers
• Industry news and trends
• Step-by-step guides related to your business
• Case studies and success stories

4. Optimise for SEO

To make your blog work the best for you, keep these SEO best practices in mind:

• Use keywords naturally in the title, headings and throughout the content.
• Add internal and external links.
• Include images with alt text.
• Write effective meta descriptions.

5. Be consistent

Consistency is key! Aim to post at least once or twice a month.

If that feels like too much, start with a schedule you can realistically maintain.

6. Promote your blog

Don’t just click publish and forget about it!

Get the most out of your content and share your blog posts on social media, email
newsletters and relevant online communities to maximise visibility.

7. Track your results

Keep an eye on how your blog is performing. Use Google Analytics to see which posts get
the most traffic and engagement.

This will help you understand what’s working so you can create more of the content your
audience loves.

Common blogging mistakes to avoid

To make the most of your blog, avoid these common mistakes:

• Being too salesy – Blogs should provide value, not just sell your products.
• Ignoring SEO – Optimising your blog posts helps them get found.
• Not promoting your content – Share your blog posts to get them in front of more people.
• Giving up too soon – Blogging takes time to show results, but consistency pays off!

Start blogging & watch your business grow!

A blog is one of the most powerful, cost-effective tools for small businesses to grow their online presence.

It boosts SEO, builds brand trust, engages your audience and helps you stay ahead of competitors.

Want to get a leg up on the competition and grow your business?  Now’s the time to start your blog!  I know time is precious in business, but even a few well-planned posts can greatly impact your business growth.

So, what are you waiting for? Get blogging and watch your website (and business) thrive!

To get support with growing your website, contact us for more info.

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