Think blogging is dead? Yeah, nah!
Of course, when many people think of blogs they imagine introspective journals and homages to memes and LOLcats. Yes, those crazy and comical corners of the web do exist – but some of the most savvy and inspiring brands out there are using blogs to their full potential, and reaping the rewards.
Almost every Kiwi business can benefit from featuring a blog on their website. Here’s why:
1. You’ll Provide Added Value
The more value you can offer your customers, the happier they’ll be – and a blog can add value in screeds. People LOVE free information. Provide your audience/ clients/ prospects with information they want and find useful and they’ll leave feeling happy, and with a great impression of your brand.
2. Blogging is Great for SEO
Search engine bots LOVE fresh content, because it indicates that a website is ‘alive’, and up to date. The likes of Google and Bing take notice of websites that regularly add new content and pages. Since each blog post is considered by bots to be a new ‘page’, websites with regularly updated blogs (featuring quality content – Google can distinguish that too!) are often viewed more favourably… and in turn, given a higher search result ranking.
3. A Blog Can Build Brand Trust
Kiwis want to purchase products and services from companies they trust, and – along with an effective social media presence and kickass, professional-quality website – business blogging is a great way to build that trust. A blog highlights the human element of your business or organisation, reminding customers that there are real people – other New Zealanders just like them – behind your brand.
4. Your Blog Positions You as an Expert
The old saying, “show, don’t tell”, is vital in convincing people to choose your services or products over your competitors. You can tell people that you’re an expert in your field – but they’re far more likely to believe you if you can prove it, and show them through your blog content. When you share your knowledge for free through your blog, you’re demonstrating that you know your stuff, while adding value and building trust.
5. A Blog Gives Your Customers a Reason to Keep Coming Back
Your customers may not buy something every single week, but if you have a blog that offers content they’re truly interested in, they’re far more likely to return to your website (and browse around) between purchases. The more you can bring people back to your site, the more you increase your chances of converting them to sales and increasing repeat business.
6. Brand Personality
Businesses convey brand personality through all forms of communication – from the look and feel of your logo and website, to the content on your site and your social media posts. Your blog is another channel to showcase your winning personality, which in turn can increase your ‘likeability’, which can build trust, and convert readers into customers.
7. Blog Content is Sticky
Sticky content is great. It encourages users to return to a website (see above), and spend longer periods of time on that site while they’re there. The more time people spend on your site, the more they engage with your brand. The more they engage with your brand, the more likely they are to commit to making a purchase. Simple.
8. Blog Content is Sharable
If you provide people with quality information they find useful and enjoy reading, there’s a good chance they’ll share it with their friends. This is great news, because the more people who share your content with their friends, the more you expand your network and brand exposure. Make it easy for them by adding social sharing buttons to your blog posts, and by posting your blog content to your Facebook page and other social media accounts.
9. Opens Lines of Communication
You may or may not choose to feature comments on your blog. It’s not right for every business. But for those that have the time and inclination to moderate blog comments, opening up another channel for communication can be a great way to grow your online community, build even more trust, and drive conversions.
10. Blogs Drive Sales and Enquiries
All of the above points boil down to one thing – increasing website conversions and driving sales. According to Neil Patel (New York Times bestselling author, co-founder of Crazy Egg and KISSmetrics, and all-round respected web guru), companies with blogs typically receive 97% more leads than companies without blogs. That’s a pretty compelling statistic… so what are you waiting for?
Funnily enough, Market My Company writes awesome blog content for Kiwi businesses – and we currently have a special offer for new clients! For a limited time only, you can score 3 blog posts for the price of 2! Check out the offer via Facebook for more deets.