Many business owners think their website is about the same as an online business card — just a place that has your contact info for people to look up so they can reach out to you. But, when it’s done right, your website can be so much more than that.
With blogging and landing pages, your website is the most powerful marketing tool at your fingertips.
Your blog can get you noticed, can showcase how you’re better than your competitors, and convert cold leads into paying customers. The problem is, businesses often make many blogging mistakes. Here’s are four common mistakes and how to avoid making them:
You Don’t Have a Blog
Competition is fierce, especially when it comes to making your business stand out online. You can have the best-looking website, but the only way to truly connect with your audience and potential customers is to provide fun and informative content. So, you need a blog.
A blog with great content provides insight into what your company is about, and lets clients and customers learn all about you. This personalizes your business and sets you apart from your competitors. Just be sure to update the blog regularly.
You Neglect SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is highly important and not embracing it is one of the biggest blogging mistakes that businesses make. SEO-friendly content uses a common keyword throughout the headline, body, and photo captions — and links back to other content on your site that’s relevant (like this post we wrote about making your blog stand out).
Using SEO maximizes your content and helps ensure that potential customers find it. If you go to the trouble to set up a blog, you want to make sure people actually see it.
You Don’t Ask Readers for Email Addresses
Gathering email addresses and other contact information for visitors to your blog could help you generate business leads. This allows you to directly promote new products, events, or services directly to people.
Ask people for their email addresses as a way to stay in the know about your business. And, offer them something in exchange, like a free gift, discount, or other benefit.
You Don’t Tell Your Story
Successful business blogs tell a story or include some type of narrative. They are not simply a place to copy and paste press releases. Telling your story lets you build trust with customers.
You can show off your expertise, but be sure to humanize it to engage readers by sharing your life and experiences. When your business has a human element, people take notice.
Blogging is a big time investment. But, your customers are online and if you want them to find you, you have to put yourself out there. Just take care to avoid these blogging mistakes.