So many of my clients bemoan the blog. They don’t have the time to learn how, or they aren’t particularly interested in the process. Well, I have bad news for you: if you don’t blog, you can kiss those awesome Google rankings goodbye.
Here’s 4 reasons why you need to blog.
1. Google’s preference for freshness.
Google likes websites that are updated often- and your best way to do that is to blog. If there are two websites, identical in everything else, but one blogs monthly and one doesn’t, the blogged website will show up way higher in rankings than the latter.
2. SEO best practices.
Blogging allows you to use more keywords (and title tags, alt tags, h1 tags, etc) attain more internal links with organic anchor text, and increases your odds of getting external links on the internet. All of this means more traffic and higher rankings. So local businesses owners need to blog, especially if your competitors are doing it. Confused? Check out our free SEO tutorials. (See what I just did there?)
3. Show off your expertise and increase consumer trust.
Let’s say I’m looking for a local wine store. Obviously, like 92% of Americans, the first thing I’m going to do is look up websites online. The ones that blog about the new wine they just got in and why it’s great drinking for those hot August months are way more likely to get my business. Why? Because the website with the wine is making an honest effort to teach their customers about their product, and at the same time they’re showing that they know what they’re talking about. Same goes for photographers, electricians, veterinarians, piano tuners, accountants- you name it. I’ll take a case, please.
4. Generate leads through your blog.
Keep blogging useful, insightful posts, and before long you’ll have readers who are going to comment, sign up for your online newsletter, or like your Facebook page because they appreciate your blog. And voila! You now have the names and emails of someone who you know is interested in what you do- or they wouldn’t be visiting your website in the first place.
If you you are a business owner who needs a blog but you don’t have the time, you’re a bad writer, or you need ideas for writing engaging blog posts, contact Ad Astra today!
