Business performance rides on the dynamics of technological development and consumer demands. Even small startups have a fighting chance as long as they build a strong web presence.
Although a modern company website has a massive hand in establishing a comprehensive branding strategy, our economy’s erratic disposition calls for small and medium-sized enterprises to go the extra mile.
Remember the simpler days when organisations promoted and educated the public on their goods and services through the printing press?
If you don’t, you’re too young to be here. Now a digital medium has descended upon us, rendering newspaper ads obsolete: blogs.
Blogging is an inexpensive course of action for SMEs in Malaysia to drive traffic to their sites.
Many businesses adopt blogging as part of their marketing strategy to acquire more prospective customers. Those who are quick to expel the idea will miss out on the bountiful benefits that come with a well-managed blog.
Unconvinced? Let’s go over the top 10 blog benefits for Malaysian SMEs, shall we?
10 Blog Benefits for SMEs Malaysia
1. Improve Search Engine Ranking
Previously, we discussed the use of keywords and inbound links to influence a website’s ranking in search results.
Ah, the manipulative workings of Google’s algorithm. Knowing the ins and outs of search engine optimisation plays a significant role in determining content value, and keeping your website up-to-date factors in, too.
Do you frequently update your website?
If you don’t, now is the time to introduce a blog. Regular posts relevant to your respective industries can increase the visibility of your sites through several ingredients, including:
- Crawl Rate—The more frequently you post, the more those speedy bot crawlers will scan your pages, increasing your probability of making it on the index.
- Keyword Use—Writing blog entries allows you to utilise keywords related to your sector more naturally and in a less sales-y way, which search engines prefer.
- Inbound Links—Blogs usually contain a call to action, as well as other relevant links that lead to useful content. If a reader agrees with you, they are likely to follow the links from their own social networks, i.e. Facebook and Twitter.
READ MORE: SEO Checklist: Are You Getting The Most Out of Your Blog?
2. Build Trust
The design of your blog and its writing can convey your brand voice and personality. It gives your corporate entity a more humanistic touch.
By sharing knowledge and advice about compatible interest areas, you show audiences that you’re looking to bond with them rather than just close a sale.
Successful firms consistently publish blog posts to depict their expertise on the subject matter and assert their authority as an industry leader.
Bloggers naturally form relationships with their avid readers.
Similarly, your company’s blog articles help users to build trust and confidence in your brand. They might even share your content on their social networks, amplifying your reputation.
3. Create Value for Customer Experience
Your customers are the reason your company doesn’t crash and burn. One of the most crucial benefits of blogging is that you’re creating a value for them, maybe even surpassing your competitors in a better customer experience.
However, this is conditional to the consistency and effort poured into your blogging strategy.
An excellent blogging principle to follow is the 80/20 rule, whereby 20% of content should be on self-promotion and lead generation.
In contrast, the other 80% should focus on your customers by providing them with free information before their purchase decision—the challenges they face, how you can help, and other interesting facts regarding your sector and brand.
4. Enhance Brand Awareness
There are many ways to increase brand awareness, but what’s more effective and low-cost than blogs? Unlike other marketing tools, blog articles are suspended in cyberspace, always bringing in traffic despite their date of publication.
As mentioned, frequently posting valuable information can increase the number of websites linked to your content, improving visibility. The word about your business will also be circulating among more and more people.
5. Generate Leads for Malaysia’s Local & Global Businesses
Generally, company websites with over 50 pages tend to generate more traffic and leads than those with fewer pages.
Each blog entry you publish will be treated as a separate page on search engines, so the more pages your site has, the more leads you will generate in the form of clicks, whether on call-to-action links, customer enquiries, email subscriptions—the works.
READ MORE: Branding vs Marketing: Difference Between Branding and Marketing
6. Increase Conversion Rates
An increase in leads doesn’t necessarily mean additional sales. The ultimate goal is to convert customers to the decision stage, and blogging acts as a catalyst for this.
Of course, you need quality content that answers questions most commonly asked by people in your blog; otherwise, the process would remain stagnant.
For example, ‘how-to’ topics can offer in-depth product information and give consumers the nudge they need to make a choice.
7. Build a Network with Influencer Marketing
This benefit of blogging is often overlooked. When devising your content marketing strategy, consider working with influencers.
Typically, you gift your product or service to an influencer in exchange for a blog post review. Make sure that the influencer you work with is someone admired and followed by your target audience.
If you’re a new business owner, chances are your blog won’t get the attention you want it to. On the other hand, influencers have a broad audience they can easily promote your business to, making a larger impact even with just a simple review. They’re called influencers for a reason!
8. Cultivate Interest in Your Brand
Before you can start selling, you need to generate enough demand from the market.
Blogs and content presentations are great channels to announce new products or services, features, as well as educate customers on your proposition.
An example would be how Apple gives a detailed keynote presentation with each new release to get customers excited about it.
READ MORE: A Useful Guide for Your Business Blog Management
9. Generate Backlinks
In the events that your blog articles are worthy of solving a customer’s problem, other blogs or websites might also link to them.
It’ll look as if Google is making a strong recommendation, and people are more inclined to try a product when it’s recommended by credible sources.
These digital endorsements are called backlinks. They help to increase your domain authority and signal your website as favourable.
10. Allow User Feedback
Business blogs have become an extension for users to learn more about their likes and dislikes.
Through blogging, you’re granting customers a platform to leave comments and share your stories with others.
Brands can then adjust their marketing strategy or improve their product accordingly based on the feedback they receive.
READ MORE: Copywriting Benefits: How Does Copywriting Boost Sales?
Trust us, the benefits of blogging will prevail to those who hone every exertion. We know full well that these tactics are true to success.
Here at Walk Production, we can help you find the right one that matches your business and target audience! Our devoted team of blog writers and SEO specialists have worked with multiple clients across different industries and are zealous in our efforts to magnify brand awareness.