Why Web Designers Should Be Blogging
While you may not want to get into content and search engine marketing, there are countless benefits to blogging. Otherwise, you wouldn’t see all these businesses and freelancers setting up blogs and dedicating resources to maintaining and promoting them.
Below is a list of the most compelling reasons freelance web designers should start blogging:
It establishes credibility and trust
While there is no tangible quantitative metric for credibility or authority, high quality blogging can help you establish yourself as an expert web designer. The best blogs discuss industry news, answer common questions, and solve the problems their readers and potential customers have. By consistently creating valuable content, a web designer can be seen as an authority by their target audience.So, when the time comes to choose a web designer, who do you think your loyal readers will turn to – you or a stranger freelancing online? After all, haven’t you already proven your expertise and commitment by offering free useful advice?
Blogging helps generate targeted traffic, which converts into leads
Brand awareness and visits may not always convert into sales, but without visitors, there is no potential for revenue. While you may consider investing in SEO (search engine optimization) and SEM (search engine marketing) campaigns, leads can be costly and non-recurring. Content marketing for a web design business changes that because your content becomes a way to attract loyal readers (aka other bloggers) looking for web design tips. Those same readers have the potential to become clients.Take for example my blog – StartABlog123.com. I only earn revenue as an affiliate when visitors use my free guide (found on the homepage) to start their first blog. The blog section doesn’t have any ads or monetization strategies – it is simply a free resource I am building up. This is because the blogging section is my primary source of traffic, not the homepage.
By discussing topics important to readers who are considering starting a blog, I help educate them on how the internet works, the reasons they may want to blog, free alternatives to self-hosting, coming up with a blog name, possible blog post ideas (which you can use too when starting your blog), etc.
In essence, the blog builds up my online presence and traffic numbers as well as solves the reader’s problems. For example, if a visitor wants to set up a blog but isn’t sure what domain to pick, I walk them through the process of choosing a blog name. If someone is considering a free blogging option, I point out the pros and cons of different platforms. Furthermore, in addition to increasing my exposure, this useful content also helps achieve my first point – building credibility.
All in all, I keep my target audience engaged until they are certain about creating their blog or not.
Blogging offers long-term results and growth
Experienced bloggers understand the value of timeless or evergreen content. By definition, evergreen content targets a topic that is searched regularly, such as “Web Design Inspiration”, “Learn Web Design”, “Web Design Tips”, “Web Design Pricing”, etc. By creating content addressing these keywords, you can build a blog that will consistently earn search engine traffic and generate potential clients.For example, let’s say you promote your web design services and static website on social media, eventually generating 1,000 views, 15 leads, and 2 new clients. Unfortunately, every time you finish a job and need new work, you have to repeat the process.
Instead, consider that you publish an article that generates 1,000 views, 15 leads and eventually 2 new clients. However, now your blog post is ranking in Google’s search results and you are getting 1 new client a month. Now imagine you have 100 well-written, high ranking blog posts developed over the course of a couple years. Do you think you’ll ever have trouble finding new customers? You can be vacationing with your family in Europe or out with your friends for the night, and your blog will be growing your business.
A blog can increase engagement and interaction
Too many online businesses are impersonal and provide little incentive for site visitors to become interested in the company or its profile. People wonder who they are really doing business with, especially when some don’t even have “About Us” pages or some type of corporate history. Blogging changes this and allows companies to showcase a corporate personality beyond the products or services they offer. Web designers can increase intimacy with readers by writing in the first-person, sharing personal experiences, and starting dialogue via the comments section.A blog can also help web designers diversify their marketing message and strategy. Traditionally, marketing is focused on the product/service and is a one-directional kind of communication (at least until the prospective client reaches out). However, combining content and social media marketing can encourage web designers to leverage different types of mediums and target different types of readers.
For instance, a web design blog can produce a podcast for people who want to listen on their drive to work. Some visitors may not like to read, so video may be optimal to reach them. Others have short attention spans, so a list of web design tips might make sense. Similarly, if you want to demonstrate your graphic design skills, a beautiful infographic can be the ideal way to present information.
Final Word
Maintaining a blog for your web design services opens up many new opportunities, while building a direct relationship with prospective leads. Although some patience is required because traffic will not flow overnight, once you get your blog publishing regularly, it will eventually increase your bottom line.Let us know how blogging has helped you grow your web design business in the comment section below!
No Comments