Why Your Website Needs a Blog

a top view of a typewriter that has "to blog or not to blog" typed out on a piece of paper

A common question we hear from clients is whether or not they should invest in a blog for their business website. Are blogs relevant to every business? What kind of content should be in a blog? The simplest answer is yes, blogs are a great fit for just about any website. There are a few key reasons your website needs a blog.

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Blogs Fuel SEO Rankings

Google and other search engines are always looking for informative, quality content that updates regularly. Websites that never update gather virtual dust and tend to get shoved down the search results pages. Having a weekly, monthly or even bi-monthly blog is a perfect way to let Google know your website is still active.

Improved SERP Ranking

Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) are what you get when you Google something. Think about recipes. If you Google “chocolate chip cookies recipe,” you’re going to get literally thousands of results. Which results do you typically click on? The ones near the top. How do those websites get to the top organically? Content. Google looks for factors that blogs provide like how frequently a website gets updated, the quality of the content provided and interactions through comments or social shares.

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Blogs Give Sites a Voice

A blog can be considered a website’s “voice.” This is the space where you can really talk to customers and establish the personality of your business. It helps visitors feel like you’re a real, credible authority and not just words on the internet. Establishing that voice is key if you’re trying to get conversions, make sales or improve visitor retention.

Establishes Industry Authority

Before you go write a life story followed by a cookie recipe, it’s important to understand HOW to write good content for your industry. If you’re writing for a dental practice, your content needs to support that industry and provide qualified, professional information. If you’re writing for an auto mechanic business, your topics should reflect what your audience might be searching for, like “how often should I get an oil change?”

Gives Your Website Personality

A blog can be considered a website’s “voice.” This is the space where you can really talk to customers and establish the personality of your business. It helps visitors feel like you’re a real, credible authority and not just words on the internet. Establishing that voice is key if you’re trying to get conversions, make sales or improve visitor retention.

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Blog Alternatives

Written blogs might not be the best fit for every industry, but there are alternatives to a traditional blog. The key is qualified content, no matter what form that takes. If a written blog isn’t right for you, try the following:

Podcasts
Videos (Vlog)
Social Feeds
Community-Driven Content (Guest Posts)
Projects or Case Studies
Testimonials

Where do I begin?

8bitstudio • For those with grand ambitions