Should My Website Include a Blog?

You have your website set up. In your opinion, it says everything you need it to say and does everything you need it to do. You feel it is easy to navigate, pleasing to the eye, and clearly conveys your message. Now it is time to move on and let the website work for you. Do your magic website! Right? Not quite. With all the overwhelming information contained on other websites, it becomes necessary to take your website a step further in order to be seen in the first place. Search engines, such as Google, place high importance, and therefore ranking, on new website content. It likes to see a dynamic page that is constantly evolving. One of the best ways of doing this, is by adding a blog to your website. The word blog is actually short for the term web log. A blog is a regularly updated website that consists of reverse chronological entries, much like a journal. These entries, or posts, can contain a wide variety of information or thoughts that, unlike a journal, do not have to be personal in nature. Although the number one reason to have a blog included in your website is for search engine optimization, there are additional benefits:

• It makes your website more interactive.  A blog will allow you to communicate new ideas, and educate and update your consumers about your company or organization. Comments made by viewers of the blog may be responded to, not only increasing the website’s interactivity, but credibility as well.
• A blog can make your expertise known.  When a blog contains original or helpful information, others will create links to your website. This gives you a leg up on your competitors by establishing you as an expert or simply more knowledgeable.
• It creates a marketing presence online. A blog is a great stage to go in depth about a product. Details can give consumers that extra information that drives them to purchase from you or use your services. 

You believe in your company or organization. You are confident in your message and excited about what you have to offer. You have taken the steps necessary to  create a website that can portray that message. Do not limit the potential of your organization by not following through with the next step. Make original ideas center stage by using a blog to increase your visibility and online traffic.