If you own a small business, starting a blog is a great way to promote it. Starting your business blog can help you reach a global audience and boost your brand’s visibility.
With consistency and optimism, you can transform your small business into your dream brand.
What is a Blog?
When you search for something on Google or any other search engine, the results typically include articles that provide information and guides. These articles are often called blog posts or blog pages (static content). Each blog page is part of a larger website, which is also referred to as a blog.
How Starting a Business Blog Can Help to Promote It
A blog can be accessed by anyone, anywhere in the world (depending on language and domain extension), making it a powerful tool to promote your business. Here are several reasons why you should consider starting a business blog:
Reach a Global Audience
A blog enables you to connect with potential customers from all over the world. By writing about topics your target audience is interested in, your website can gain visibility. This increased traffic can eventually lead to converting visitors into loyal customers.
Create Brand Identity
A blog helps build brand awareness by allowing you to share what your business is about and the services you offer. By featuring customer reviews and testimonials, you can also build trust with your audience. Additionally, a blog provides an opportunity to highlight what sets your business apart from competitors.
Advantages of Starting Your Business Blog
Creating your blog is a low-cost option to reach your global audience
The cost of building a website ranges from $150 to $1,000 if you are technically skilled and can design the blog yourself. Hiring a developer will increase the cost, depending on factors like location and the website’s complexity.
The type of website you create will depend on your business needs. Options include:
- E-commerce stores to sell products
- Blog websites to engage with your target audience
- E-commerce stores with integrated blogs to increase reach
- Business websites for brand awareness
- Business-to-business (B2B) websites
- Digital stores for selling photos, e-books, etc.
For non-technical business owners, hiring a web development company or a skilled freelancer can be a smart investment, allowing you to focus on your business strategy and growth.
Track Potential Customers
A business blog allows you to track visitors and use that data to target ads. With analytics tools, you can see which countries your visitors are coming from, which pages are most popular, and which products are getting the most views. This data can help you refine your services and better understand customer preferences.
Create Your Business Strategy
With a blog, you can develop and refine your business strategy. You can experiment with different approaches to see what works best in attracting customers, earning their trust, and maximizing profits.
Here is a Step-by-Step Process to Start Your Business Blog
To create a successful blog, it’s essential to start with a clear strategy. Here’s how to begin:
Decide Your Blog Strategy
Determine what type of website you want to create. Will it be an e-commerce store, a service-based blog, or a combination of both? Clarify your business goals and how you want to present your business to your audience.
Choose a Platform to Create Your Business Website
There are many platforms you can use to build your business blog. It’s crucial to choose the right one based on your strategy. Here are three popular content management platforms:
- WordPress – WordPress is the most popular platform, powering over 860 million websites. It’s a flexible content management system (CMS) that’s widely used by businesses. WooCommerce, a WordPress plugin, is the top e-commerce platform for large businesses. We highly recommend you start a blog on the WordPress platform as it is more customizable than any other platform available.
- Shopify – Shopify is a popular CMS known for its user-friendly e-commerce store management. There are around 8.4 million websites currently live on Shopify.
- Blogger – Blogger is a free platform ideal for those with no budget at all to spend. However, it comes with many limitations, and we do not recommend it for businesses looking to scale or offer e-commerce functionality.
When choosing a platform for your business blog, keep the following points in mind:
Why It Is Important to Choose a Popular Content Management Platform
Popular platforms like WordPress and Shopify offer extensive tutorials, which can help you resolve any issues that may arise. If you decide to hire a developer, it’s easier to find experts who specialize in these widely used platforms. Additionally, if you ever need to switch developers, popular platforms offer more flexibility and support.
Access to Expert Developers
When using popular platforms, finding expert developers becomes easier. This ensures you have the right technical support when needed.
Ensure the Platform Has the Features You Need
Make sure the platform offers all the features necessary to create the website you envision. Choose a content management system that is flexible, allowing you to expand your website’s functionality as your business grows. You never know what features you might need in the future.
Choose the Right Hosting for Your Business Blog
Web hosting is the server where your website’s data is stored. Choosing the right hosting provider is crucial to ensure your website remains secure and operates smoothly. Here are some important factors to consider when selecting a web hosting service:
Daily Backup:
The hosting provider should offer a daily backup option. This ensures that any updates or changes made to your website are saved. In the event of a website crash or an error, you can easily restore your website from the backup.
High-Speed Server:
Website speed is essential for both user experience and SEO. Google ranks fast websites higher in search results. Therefore, choose a web hosting provider that offers high-speed servers to optimize your website’s performance.
HTTPS Connection:
An HTTPS connection is mandatory to get your website indexed on Google. It also ensures secure data transmission. Make sure your hosting plan includes an HTTPS secure connection, or be prepared to purchase it separately. Opt for a hosting plan that integrates this security feature.
Choosing a Domain Name for Your Business Blog
A domain name represents your business’s identity. It should be easy to remember and easy to find online. Consider the following when choosing a domain name:
- Avoid Using Another Registered Company’s Name: Ensure the domain name does not contain another company’s registered name, as this could lead to legal issues.
- Match Your Business Name: If you already have a registered business, try to secure a domain name that matches it.
- Keep It Short and Memorable: Short domain names are easier for users to remember and search for on the internet.
- Availability Across Platforms: Choose a domain name that is available across all social media platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter) and an email address, so that your business has a consistent online identity.
- Broad Name for Future Expansion: Select a domain name that covers a broad topic, so you can easily expand your business in the future without being restricted by a narrow focus.
For example, if you sell mobile phone covers but plan to expand to headphones or chargers, a name like “Mobile Accessory Store” would be better than “Mobile Cover Store.” - Flexible for Future Changes: Choose a domain name that allows flexibility. For instance, if you start with “Mobile Cover Store” and later find that your audience is more interested in headphones, a broad name like “Phone Accessory Store” will allow you to pivot your business without needing a rebrand.
- Register the Domain Name: Once you have chosen the perfect name, register it to prevent other businesses from claiming it in the future.
Spend time carefully considering the right name for your business. Choosing the wrong name can lead to regret later on, so make sure it aligns with your long-term business goals.
Where to Purchase the Domain Name for Your Small Business Blog
If you’re a non-technical person and want to set up the website yourself, it’s a good idea to purchase the domain name from the same platform where you buy your hosting server. This makes connecting them easier without any hassle.
However, price is an important factor to consider.
If you find the same domain name at a lower price on another platform, go for it, as there’s no difference in purchasing a domain from different platforms, unlike hosting.
Set Up Your Business Blog
Once you’ve purchased the domain and hosting, the next step is to set up your website. Connect the domain and hosting, and then choose your website theme. You can opt for a free theme or purchase a premium theme to unlock all advanced features.
Why You Should Choose a Popular Theme for Your Website
Just like choosing a popular content management platform, it’s important to pick a popular website theme. If you run into any issues while editing, you’ll easily find solutions online with a wealth of tutorials and resources available.
The two most popular themes are:
- GeneratePress: Known for its page speed and compatibility with block editors. It’s free to install but also offers a premium version at $59/year, or you can purchase a lifetime plan for $249.
- Astra: Astra is well-known for its many customization options in the free version. You can also upgrade to the premium version for more features.
After selecting your theme, install it, and you’ll be ready to start editing your website with your content. If you prefer not to spend time figuring out all the steps, you can contact us to help set up your website.
Learn the Basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
If you’re busy running your business and don’t have time to learn how to write high-quality posts that are visible in searches, conduct keyword research, create an SEO-friendly website structure, or edit images, it’s a good idea to hire a freelancer. We offer content writing and website management services so business owners can focus on growth.
However, if you plan to manage the website yourself, it’s important to invest time in learning these skills. Understanding how to create high-quality, SEO-optimized content for your business blog will significantly increase your chances of driving traffic and converting visitors into loyal customers.
Learn Search Intent to Make Your Content SEO-Friendly
Search intent is essential to writing helpful articles that users are looking for. There are four types of search intent:
Informational, Transactional, Commercial, Navigational. Know all about it in detail.
Understanding these types of search intent will help you strategically write content that converts traffic into customers.
Edit Your Website and Create Main Pages for Your Business Blog
The next step is to create the essential pages for your website. Start with the Home page, where you’ll introduce your website and explain its purpose. Keep in mind that every page and post should be optimized for search engines to rank higher and be promoted by Google.
The main pages are-
- Home Page: This page showcases what your website is all about and what you offer.
- Contact Us Page: Allows visitors to reach out to you. This is one of the most important pages for generating conversions.
- About Us Page: Visitors want to know more about your services, who you are, and your team. Make this page user-friendly and simple.
- Privacy Policy Page: This is a must-have page according to Google’s policy. It should clearly state how you collect user information, how it’s used, and your responsibilities in protecting it.
Decide Your Business Website Structure
The next step is to decide the structure of your website. There are different types of website structures:
- Silo Structure: This is a hierarchical structure and is the most popular from an SEO perspective. It organizes your website effectively, helping it rank higher. Most SEO experts recommend using a silo structure for better organization and optimization.
- Linear Structure: This structure links all your website pages to each other. We recommend avoiding this structure, as it may not be ideal for SEO.
Decide Menus and Sub-menus, and Create Navigation Buttons
Before posting blogs, decide on the menus and sub-menus to help organize your content. We recommend starting with one main menu and adding a sub-menu if needed. Focus on posting content that is relevant to your menu topics.
This approach will help search engines understand your website’s focus, making it easier to rank for specific topics. After posting 30-50 blog posts and gaining domain authority, you can introduce additional menus.
Build a Content Strategy and Create a Content Calendar
If you already have a small business or are planning to start one, the next step is to create a content strategy. Using a content calendar will help you stay organized and consistent. A weekly or monthly content calendar can guide you in posting regularly and ensuring a smooth website journey.
Create 30-40 Pieces of Content in Advance Before Starting Your Business Blog
Always be prepared for emergencies. Things don’t always go as planned. Conduct keyword research on your topic and create blog posts ahead of time. These posts should be optimized for search intent, as this is crucial for increasing engagement rates—an important factor in ranking well on search engines.
We are content writers specializing in creating search intent-optimized articles. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us to create posts for you.
Being consistent is the most important factor for success in your blogging journey.
Start Your Own Business Blog to Create Multiple Income Sources
You can generate multiple income streams by starting a business blog:
- Monetize Your Blog: Once your website has a solid structure, you can monetize it with ads. The easiest and most popular ad provider is Google Ads. After reaching a minimum of 10,000 views, you can shift to other premium ad monetization providers for higher income.
Popular ad monetization companies include Google Ads, Ezoic Inc., and Media.net. - Affiliate Marketing: This can become a major income source for your blog. You can refer products or services to earn commissions.
The most popular affiliate provider is Amazon, but many software companies also offer affiliate programs to promote their services. Never promote a product or service you don’t believe in, as it can negatively impact your reputation with visitors.
Start your business blog today, Be patient and take small steps every day to achieve success. There are no shortcuts, but with consistency and effort, you can build a successful business blog.