You’ve probably been hearing more and more in different places about the fact that you need to be putting more and more content on your website. The simplest and easiest was to do this is by means of a company blog or news section on your website.
But if you are running a small or even any business other commercial demands mean that this is likely the last thing on your to do list.
So why should it be a higher priority to write content for your website?
Google Wants It
Google is clearly favouring websites that generate content. Websites that have more pages and quality information on those pages.
Just think, in Google’s eyes what you are doing is increasing the online footprint of your company. More and more information generated tells it more about you – like what words you use, industry jargon, associated words etc… Plus the fact that if you blog regularly (say once each month) then you’re creating fresh content, another Search Engine ranking factor.
Expand Your Reach On Social Media
A blog or regular fresh content can also help you to market your business as it can be shared easily across multiple social networks. Once your content has been added to your website, create a simple teaser blurb with a link to the article and place it across all your social media channels, Facebook, Twitter and don’t forget Google+ (Google likes it still) and maybe even LinkedIn to name the biggest channels.
So often we have people express no desire to run these channels, when really they require less effort than expected and the benefit through shares (a Search Engine factor that will grow in influence) is massive. Plus all you’re doing is linking to content you already created on your website.
Connect With Potential Clients / Customers
Sharing information, by writing articles of relevance to your industry can also pay off in the best way – new customers!
Just think, such content positions you as an industry leader, someone who clearly has the knowledge to solve a customer’s problem or need because they’ve been writing about it. Compare that to the competitor just down the road, who may do great work, but no one could ever tell from the basic 4 or 5 page passive brochure style website… So credibility can be built by writing about what potential clients are looking for.
Writing content, such as a how to guide, or answering a common question could be just what’s needed to get that page ranking well in Google. Perhaps so well it’s one of the first results that comes up, because you focused on it.
Get Started Today
Brain storm some ideas for your first 10 blogs – you don’t have to write them now of course, but it’ll make doing so much easier if you don’t have to come up with an idea for this month’s content…
Some suggestions for content include:
- Answer the Top 10 Questions that people call you up to ask. Then point them to those articles next time they call.
- Write an article about a recently completed successful project – include what you did and also add photos.
- Write a glossary of frequently used terms in your industry – explain what they mean.
- Write about a trend appearing in your industry – ie for a builder, perhaps a design trend etc…
If you were to write a blog entry once a month, just the above quick suggestions would give you over a year of content.
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Essentially we’ve been talking about content strategy and content marketing. But whatever you call it the creation of content via your website is very important for all businesses and a great marketing tool for the promotion and advertisement of your business. It’s not hard, but business owners need to understand that this is become a key driver of search engine rankings and marketing of a company. It doesn’t all have to be done today, but it needs to be progressively added. Set aside time to do it, or get someone organised and responsible to do it.