The online landscape is changing. The days of static websites are over, and blogs are increasingly common. If you’re thinking of starting a blog, you may worry that it’s too late. Weren’t blogs popular ten years ago?
It’s true that blogs have been around for many years. However, the blogging trend isn’t slowing down — if anything, it has grown even more effective!
Approximately 409 million internet users read about 20 billion blog pages monthly. In the United States alone, people read blogs three times more than emails.
There are many reasons why blogging is effective. Neil Schaffer lays out several big reasons blogging is still important, but here we will focus on three of the most important ones. Blogging can be challenging, and it takes time away from other tasks that you might have on your plate. However, when done right it has great benefits for your business!
Boost SEO
Blogging is a fantastic way to improve your SEO over time. Blog posts can target specific keywords and phrases with more accuracy than normal webpages. Your “About” or “Contact” page may not have a specific keyword associated with it, but each blog posts can (and should!) have one focused keyword.
Blogging will also benefit your SEO if you published on a regular schedule — whether that’s twice a week, twice a month, or even just quarterly. There’s a lot of complexity that goes into the Google algorithm, but it seems (at least for now) that when you post consistently, Google knows to check your site for frequent updates. As a result, you’ll rank higher in search results.
Blog posts also promote better engagement. The more engaging your content, the more time people spend reading through your site (and hopefully even checking your other articles). As a result, Google sees that people are interested in your site. More interest = higher ranks in Google results.
Reach more people
Blogging also helps you reach a wider audience and answer questions quickly. Each post is an opportunity to engage customers. They allow you to reach more people with your message, since each published post is available online 24/7.
Blogging is also useful for answering inquiries that arise from customers. You can help them understand products and services, plus build brand awareness through guest posts on other sites around the web. And again, because your posts are available online, you reap these benefits without having to individually respond to questions!
Finally, don’t forget about social media. Blog posts can be shared on your social channels, which will help you grow your followings there as well.
Build authority and trustworthiness
Blogging is a powerful way to build authority. It helps you stay present in the minds of customers, meaning they’ll come back to your site when they need something again or share it with others who might be interested.
You can also use posts to show your strengths. Wondering how to share the unique benefits of your services? I help clients articulate how they’re experts in their fields, plus what makes them different from other brands.
Blogging FAQ
Is blogging worth it in 2021?
Absolutely! Remember those 409 million internet users read about 20 billion blog pages monthly? Your content could be in front of those eyes — but you have to publish on a regular schedule, use strategic keywords, and establish your authority.
Do people still read blogs?
Definitely. People trust blogs to provide accurate information. In fact, blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source for gathering online information.
Are blogs still popular in 2021?
Blogs of all types are still very popular. Personal blogs, food blogs, travel blogs, and business blogs are all popular among readers. If you’re unsure whether it’s worth starting a blog (or continuing to invest time and money in your current blog), think again. In the United States, blogs are even more widely read than emails.
I don’t have time to blog. What should I do?
Even today in 2021, blogging is a valuable tool to grow your business. It’s not a magic bullet with immediate results, but consistently posting high-quality content will pay off for months — and even years — down the line!
Are you interested in publishing blog posts, but don’t have the time?
We now provide monthly blog services, designed for those who want to partner with someone else to create high-quality content while they continue their own daily tasks.
You pick the schedule: 1, 2 or 4 posts per month. Then you don’t have to lift a finger. We research, write, optimize, and even publish articles for you.
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of blogging, without the hours of work, get in touch to inquire about current availability.