You might be thinking, “After everything else I have done, now I have to be a blogger also?” You don’t have to include a blog on your company’s website, but here are a few reasons why you should:
SEO
If you want your business to be noticed by potential customers running a Google search, you have to think about search engine optimization (SEO). There are millions of websites out there, and more are added every day. SEO is all about maximizing the chances that your website will actually be seen by a potential customer doing a Google search. The more often certain keywords associated with your business appear on your website, the more likely it is that your business will appear on Page 1 or 2 instead of Page 200, when someone uses Google or another search engine to look for a product or service provider. If the last update to your web page was last month, or even last year, your Google ranking will suffer. Regular blogging is one way to keep your business competitive. An SEO marketing expert can provide more detailed information about SEO strategies; click here for more information.
Education
Including short, educational blogs on your website will let current and potential customers know more about you. Law firms, for example, often handle many different types of matters. A client looking for Titanium Asset Protection in Irvine, CA may see a blog about estate planning and think, “You know, I really need to make a will.” A personal injury client may learn that his lawyer also handles traffic cases. Educating that client could lead to repeat business, and that client may refer others.
Increasing Visit Time
Internet marketing experts will tell you that the longer a visitor stays on your website, the more likely that person is to become a customer. Repeat visitors are also more likely to become customers. Once your visitor has looked at your home page, and seen what you have to offer, he is likely to move on. If your site includes a blog page, he may check it out, learning more about you in the process, and perhaps discovering a product or service that he did not know you offered. If your blog is updated on a regular basis, he may come back; increasing the chance that he will become a regular customer.
Keeping Current Customers Informed
A blog may be used to keep your current customers informed about recent news or innovations that affect your business. Your blog can announce new products or new technologies that affect your industry. Law firm clients can learn about recent developments in the law that might affect them. When you add people to your staff, you can introduce them in your blog.
Self Promotion
Your blog can be a good way to introduce yourself and your co-workers to existing and potential customers. Clients of Reid Goodwin, Attorneys at Law can get to know the firm’s attorneys, and learn about their awards and accomplishments, through their blog. If you have received an honor, been voted the best in a local, regional, or national poll, or been recognized for community service, let your customers know. Knowing that others have recognized your expertise will keep your customers coming back, and will make them more likely to mention you to their friends.
