Should I Have a Blog on My Website?

Why Blogging Will Help Your Website SEO

What exactly is a blog? Is blogging even still relevant in 2023? These are just some of the questions a new business owner might ask when launching their website. And if you happened to stumble on this page looking for the answer to these questions, congrats, you’ve found your way onto a blog.

A blog by definition is a regularly updated web page that is written in an informal or conversational style.

A blog post is an individual web page that focuses on a sub-topic of the blog. For example, a business specializing in activewear for women might have a blog page where they could have several informational posts on topics like, ‘The Best Activewear Trends for 2023’ or ‘How to Find the Perfect Fitting Sports Bra,’ and so on. The blog post stays relevant to your brand and its products.

Having a blog on your website is key to utilizing SEO techniques and keyword research. The goal is for your website to rank high in Google searches. If a potential customer searches for ‘ways to find the perfect fit for a sports bra,’ you want them to come across your blog post and therefore have access to your website and products, which may lead to conversions and sales.

If you don’t already have a blog page for your website, it’s never too late to start! A blog should be a vital part of your digital marketing strategy. This content-creation strategy, when combined with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), can greatly increase your brand’s online visibility.

Read on for the top reasons to have a blog on your website:

1. It’s FREE.

   A blog can be a free form of advertising if you use just the right keywords and an SEO strategy. You’ll find there are endless topics for you to write about that are relevant to your brand.

2. A Strong Blog Will Drive Traffic & Lead to Conversions.

   When a potential customer Googles something, or ‘how to,’ and lands upon your blog post, you have the opportunity to provide the reader with great tips and tricks for whatever your product or service is. This builds trust and rapport with the reader and drives traffic to your website. If you write for your ideal customer on your blog, you will build trust and increase traffic and conversions.

3. More Traffic Equals Higher Ranking on the SERPs.

   With blogging, your goal is to rank higher on the search engine results page (SERPs). If your content writing and keywords are better optimized than those of your competition, you will get more visits, better engagement, and rank higher on Google’s results. So, make sure your blog posts have catchy headlines your audience will want to click. If the subject is compelling enough to keep the reader reading, it will generate more traffic to your website.

Having a blog for your website can help you show off your knowledge and expertise to your target audience. People Google for a reason: they want answers, solutions to problems, how-to’s, and to gain more knowledge on a topic. Blogging is an opportunity to write about your niche, thus gaining trust and credibility. You can even track and analyze your blog’s performance for free via Google Analytics, which gives you even more insight into your most popular posts, average reading time, their ranking, and so much more.

Blogging may seem overwhelming at first, due to the amount of writing, analysis, and keyword research, as well as SEO optimization, that’s required. That’s why it’s incredibly valuable for most business owners to outsource their content writing to an experienced freelancer or agency.

If you need help writing and optimizing your blog posts for your small business, Barred Rock Social is a Colorado-based boutique marketing agency that provides copywriting and content writing services. We can help write and optimize your blog content for high read-time and Google ranking. Book your discovery call today!

Do I Need To Be On Instagram?

How IG Can Help Grow Your Small Business

Can you think of any brand that isn’t on Instagram? No, right? What began as a photo-sharing and editing app years ago has now become an incredibly powerful marketing tool for large and small businesses alike, which they use to expand their products’ visibility. Businesses from all industries (such as fashion, travel, beauty, lifestyle and so many more) all benefit from having an online presence on the platform. Instagram is a visual site, and it can help your small business stand out by showcasing your collections, products, and services via pictures, reels, stories, and even Instagram shopping.

Here are some reasons your small business should already be on Instagram:

1. Instagram is STILL growing.

   With over 2 billion users, Instagram is still extremely popular among the younger generations. These users are scrolling through their feeds, reels, and explore pages every single day; this gives your business an opportunity to grab their attention—so long as you use the right Instagram strategy.

2. It's a space where businesses of all sizes can thrive.

   Instagram is a platform where various-sized businesses can thrive and stand out from the crowd. Of course, a loyal following does not happen overnight. It takes the right social media marketing strategy, consistency, and grit from the social media management team to reach success. Your small business can benefit from this incredible platform by building brand awareness and connecting with the target audience by keeping an active and engaging presence on the platform.

3. You can make money on Instagram.

   There are several ways to monetize your Instagram account:

   • Direct sales from Instagram shopping.

   • Creating shoppable posts by adding tags to products with links to the online store or websites.

   • Partnerships with influencers, affiliates, or brand ambassadors who generate leads and increase sales via content creation, using features like reels, static posts, or stories by showcasing the product and giving reviews.

4. Make your business seem more relatable by giving it a human touch.

   Consumers nowadays look for relatability, transparency, and brands with a more personal approach, rather than faceless corporations. You can give your small business a personal touch by using features like Instagram stories, and by getting online and showing your face (we know it takes a lot of courage, but you got it!). Showcasing the behind-the-scenes of your brand and team can really help your brand’s personality.

You now have several reasons to make your brand presence known on Instagram. But of course, using Instagram as a marketing tool for your small business requires a well-planned social media strategy, and the Barred Rock Social team—a Colorado Springs-based digital marketing agency—has got your back. According to a study conducted by Instagram, 81% of members use Instagram as a search engine where they research products and services before making a purchase. To all small business owners reading this, do not miss out on the opportunity to make your presence known.

First things first: Set up a business account with a proper profile picture using your recognizable logo, business name, and business category. Be sure to include contact info like email, phone number, and a physical address if you have one. Make sure your bio is optimized and all aspects of your profile go with your brand identity, voice, and tone. These are all important parts of your digital marketing strategy.

Your Instagram bio is the first thing people see when they visit your profile. You only have three seconds to grab your potential customer’s attention—make it catchy! Let potential customers know who you are, what you do, and how your product or service helps them.

Once you have set up your Instagram business profile, you will need a killer social media strategy which can be made easier by hiring a social media management agency to manage your social media. You can even outsource things like content creation, reels, static posts, UGC content, influencer collaborations, and much more.

So, are you ready for your Instagram glow-up? Book a discovery call and let’s work together to take your brand to the next level!