There are many benefits of a blog for your business, and it’s not just about SEO. However, SEO content is perhaps the most universal benefit for all small businesses, it’s earned a spot at the top of this list. Below are some of the most compelling reasons to start a blog.

1. A blog creates a steady stream of new content that improves your SEO

Search engines prefer websites that are fresh and current. If you haven’t posted anything new on your website in years, Google may perceive it as stale. The caveat here is that you should not just create content for the sake of creating content. Content should be good and relevant to your business, useful to your customers, and authoritative.

Additionally, you can use blogging to build internal links within your website and create high-quality content that other sites may link to, thereby generating valuable backlinks.

2. Blogging gives you instant social media content

Struggling to come up with ideas for social media posts? You can create content for your website and other platforms through blogging. Sharing this on social media will help boost engagement and drive more traffic. If your content resonates with readers, it could even be shared organically with their friends, creating backlinks to indicate the value of your website in the eyes of Google.

Although it might not make sense to share all your blog content on social media, you should share content that people will actually click through to read. It should be engaging and serve a real purpose beyond SEO. Think about whether you would read the article if you found it on Facebook. If you wouldn’t, don’t assume your audience would want to read it either. Don’t share uninspired content on your social media platforms, it will tank your engagement rate!

3. Blogging allows you to showcase your best work

A blog is an excellent way to share the results of your work. Even though a portfolio might not make sense for every small business, it’s a great way to share past projects or case studies for businesses offering services. While these posts aren’t always as effective when it comes to SEO unless they also allow you to concentrate on relevant keywords, they’re a great way to promote yourself and your business.

Be sure to include photos that show the work you’re sharing, along with a narrative explaining how you solved a client’s problem. If possible, ask your client for a testimonial.

4. Blogging allows you to engage your audience

Blogs are an ideal way to attract and retain your readership. While it can be challenging to balance a content development strategy and engagement, some blog posts should have an exclusive focus on strengthening your relationship with customers. For instance, a competition inviting comments for a mascot name may not show up on search engines but will certainly catch the attention of readers. Additionally, announcements about upcoming sales or products will bring in short-term interest from customers but won’t create lasting results.

Although this may not be possible for every niche, some small businesses may be able to create content that is so useful and compelling to readers that they regularly visit to see the latest updates. Some examples of content a business can create are recipes posted by a grocery store, craft ideas posted by a craft store, or yard care tips posted by a landscaper.

5. Email Marketing and Blogging Go Hand-in-Hand

Using a plugin, you can ask visitors to sign up for your email newsletter if you have a WordPress website. By generating traffic to your blog, you can build your email marketing list at the same time, especially if you offer a great incentive to sign up, such as a discount, free service, or ebook. It takes a lot to convince people to sign up for an email newsletter these days, so make it worthwhile for them!

In addition to helping your email marketing efforts, your blog will increase your open and click-through rates when you send blog-related emails. Instead of using a generic subject line for every email you send, craft newsletter headlines that draw attention to what you’ve written on your blog. Would you click on “ABC Company Newsletter” or “13 Tips Every Small Business Should Use?”

6. Blogging helps you establish authority

Your current and potential customers need to trust you, so it’s important to establish authority for SEO. Sharing your knowledge on your blog is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and trustworthiness. You don’t want people to view your business as one of many options, you want to position yourself as the best.

By demonstrating your authority in your niche, you can also be seen as a thought leader by your industry peers, which will help your SEO and your E-A-T. It may also lead to referrals, collaborations, and other business opportunities.

If you don’t have the capacity to author your own blog posts, consider an outside resource. Many businesspeople employ outside authors to create content for them. However, it’s critical to ensure any agency hired is able to speak to your audience in your brand voice. Before signing anyone on, double check the content is produced by an experienced writer who works directly with the agency and not some cheap freelancer.

Are you looking for SEO help?

At Boulevard Digital Marketing, we offer affordable monthly SEO management, as well as blog strategy and content development.