6 Keys To Unlocking A Successful Blog

Why have a blog?

A website will only become successful if the content on it is informative, interesting and regularly refreshed.

One of the easiest ways to create content like this is via a blog. Keeping a blog can offer many benefits, but how can you do it successfully?

• Bloggers generate 55% more website visitors

• Blogs produce 97% more inbound links

• Websites with blogs have 434% more indexed pages on average than those without blogs.

Integrate your blog with your website

Integration

There are two main reasons why:1. Search Engine Optimisation

Every blog post you write creates more new content for the website, meaning the search engines always have something new to look at. Any popularity your blog creates will reflect directly on your website and shoot you further up the search engine lists.

2. Branding

If you blog on an external platform (like blogger.com or even a separate WordPress blog) it will be very difficult for you to maintain the same branding across sites. Keep it clean and consistent by having your blog on your website to start with.

Keeps things simple for you, your readers and the search engines

Publish frequently and consistently

Plan your blog so you don't burn out!

Most people struggle to regularly write blog posts. But once your blog takes off, it could generate five times more traffic than a site that only gets blog posts once or twice a month so it really is worth the effort.

To keep up, start by creating an editorial calendar with the dates you’re going to write a post, and the subjects you’re going to write about. To start with, aim for one post a week. When you’re used to that routine it will be easier to increase the amount of posts per month.

If you have employees, invite them to post blogs too. A variety of authors will give the blog interest and insight from a number of different angles. It’s a great advertisement for your company too – the whole of your team is engaged in the success of the business.

Encourage Engagement

Rules of Engagement..

This is a crucial element if your blog is going to be truly successful. Blogging is a social activity so you have to allow a two-way conversation. The best way to encourage readers to return is to let them engage. Make sure comments are switched on, and that you are ready to respond when the comments come in.

• Keep comments open

• Don't moderate negative comments, respond! You may find others defending your position for you leading to a fun debate

• Ask questions to encourage engagement

• Listen to feedback and act accordingly

Promote!

Use the two main promotional avenues:Search Engine Optimisation

Find and use relevant keywords (sign up free for Google Keyword Planner: https://adwords.google.com/KeywordPlanner)

Fill in page titles, meta descriptions and your blog title with the best keyword phrase

Put your keywords/phrases into your blog two or three times

Social Media

Create a Facebook page, Twitter account, Google+ page and LinkedIn page for your business

Build up your following

Promote your new blog posts on these platforms.

Remember lead generation

Calls to Action

The whole point of the content on a website is ultimately to generate leads.

Don't miss the great opportunity your blog offers with it's regular, fresh content: put some calls to action (CTA) on each blog post. Make sure your design allows you to do this easily so you can alter the CTA to make it relevant.

1. At the end of your blog post (relevant to what you've written)

2. In the top bar or side bar (more general about your company)

3. As anchor text within your post to relevant landing pages or product and service pages.

Don't give up!

Enjoy your success!

Like most things that are worth doing, a blog will take time and effort.

Don't give up!

If your website doesn't have analytics integrated already, get it on there so you can see how your blog is performing; it's always a good motivator to know how things are going.

Keep coming back to this short checklist to make sure you're still covering the basics.

Want more help?

At The Webmaster Centre we love to help businesses like yours to succeed online. 6 keys to unlocking a successful blog is just a short checklist for those who have some knowledge of the subject but would like a little reminder of important things they may need to know. If you would like help with your blog you might be interested in our blogging service at http://webmastercentre.co.uk/blogging, or call us direct on 0115 896 2529 to chat about your requirements .

Our Webmasters are based in Nottingham, Uk. If you'd like to come and see us, our address is:30a High StreetArnoldNottinghamNG5 7DZ