Don't Wait! Give Your Small Business Website a Blog This Year

If you’re a small business owner looking to increase sales in the upcoming year, keep reading. In this article, the Peter Darker team offers insight on one of the simplest ways to drive traffic to your site, keep your customers engaged, and introduce your products to the world. We’ll also touch on software updates that can help you keep your customers happy. 

You need a blog

A blog is essentially an online journal that allows you to offer your readers (your customers) informational material they’ll find interesting. More than just giving them something to read, a blog can be used to drive traffic, and thus buyers, to your company’s website, and also to separate you from the competition. 

First things first

Before you start pounding away at the keyboard, take the time to prepare your business for the upcoming year and the new customers it will bring. Invest in a few simple tools to help you be a strong blogger and a better provider of goods and services. Start with an online grammar checker. Many writers use Grammarly, which covers the basics for free. But there are many other well-reviewed products out there, including White Smoke and Ginger. 

You’ll also want to update your CRM, payroll (if applicable), and accounting software to make sure they can keep up with your growing pipeline of customers and employees. Finally, since your online reputation matters, look for reliable review management software so you can keep tabs on how you look to outsiders seeking your services. 

Last but not least, you need to register your new business with the state where you reside. For example, registering as an LLC can help provide you with certain protections that separate your business finances from your personal finances. However, before you dive in, make sure you know what’s expected of you. Look into how to register a company name and research the state’s guidelines and regulations for registering your business.

What should you blog about?

One of the more challenging aspects of blogging is choosing the types of topics you should cover. A good rule of thumb is to write about things relevant to your business or industry that solve problems. This is your blog niche, and it’s helpful if you can write about something that drives your passion. Spend an afternoon clicking around on your website or reading through previous customer inquiries. This can give you the information you need to create a topics list and to start penning your first blog.

Keep in mind that your website is an integral part of your business and that in addition to your blog, you will also need to maintain an active social media presence. This involves both creating content and responding publicly and privately to comments and inquiries. Further, you’ll need to have the ability to identify keywords, use SEO best practices, and place photographs, all of which will increase readership and position you as an authority. This can all quickly turn into a full-time job, so hiring an expert to take care of one or more of these details for you is a business expense that will have a huge ROI. Peter Darker offers a variety of website services, including web design, content management, help with social media, and more. Contact our team today to see how we can elevate your brand to the next level!

Strategy

In the world of blogging, more is almost always better. Businesses that release content regularly not only capture the attention of their audience but also remain fresh and relevant in the invisible but ever-looking eyes of pagerank algorithms. Your content must be written for people, but formulated in a way that captures this algorithm’s attention. Look for ways to promote products within your content and use one or two internal links per blog. This gives your customers quick access to the products in which you are referring and keeps them clicking through your site, which is where you want them. Perhaps most importantly, make sure your blog is optimized for mobile since the vast majority of online activity now takes place via phone or other smart device.

Having a blog with insightful, up-to-date content is a great way to keep existing customers engaged while reeling new ones in. Make content creation one of the stars of your small business plan this year, and you’re bound to see a great return on your time and money.

Learn how the Peter Darker team can give your business website a boost by getting in touch with the team today.