Discover the Lead Generation Secret: How to Build a Blog

In 2018, content drives every marketing strategy that any organization implements. A blog not only is a great jumping off point for creating content but also serves as a hub for all of the content you’ll develop over time. Your blog plays an invaluable role at the top of the marketing funnel. If you don’t have one, the time is now to learn how to build a blog for your business.

Why is a Blog Important?

The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the value of a blog:

• 81 percent of U.S. consumers trust information and advice from blogs.
• 84 percent of consumers have made purchased base on information and recommendations they found on a blog.
• Small businesses that blog generate 126 percent more lead growth than those that do not blog
• Companies that blog have 97 percent more inbound links pointing to their websites
• Marketers who prioritize blogging are 13 times more likely to achieve a possible return on investment.

Beyond the very convincing data about how well blogs perform, there are non-numeric reasons to have a blog. Most importantly, a blog is one of the most important methods for engaging users, nurturing them throughout the marketing funnel, and generating sales-qualified leads.

Furthermore, you can repurpose blog content for other assets such as white papers, social media messaging, podcasts, and infographics. You can also use your blog to host guest content from other industry experts who can offer your audience new perspective. When you start a blog, SEO for your site improves, brand awareness increases, and you establish yourself as a thought leader.

How to Create a Blog on WordPress

How to build a blog for your company depends on the platform you are hosting your website. For WordPress users, it’s incredibly easy to start a blog. If you don’t even have a website built yet, that’s no problem. You’ll need two things to get started: a unique domain name and a web hosting account.

Let’s walk through the process of how to create a blog on WordPress from the very beginning.

1. Register your domain name: Pick a name you can build a brand around but also one that is concise and easy to remember. Keep in mind that having keywords in your URL is beneficial to SEO.
2. Choose your web hosting service: Many services, such as Bluehost or HostGator, combine domain registration and web hosting so you can do it all in one place. You might also want to consider choosing a hosting service specifically designed for WordPress, such as WPEngine.
3. Install WordPress: Once you’ve registered your domain and chosen your hosting service, you’ll install WordPress. The steps for installing WordPress vary based on hosting services but many hosts offer one-click options for downloading WordPress on your newly registered website. (Note: If you already have a website on WordPress, you can skip the first three steps.)
4. Select your theme: A WordPress theme is the format and visual aesthetic of your website and blog. There are thousands of WordPress themes available so you are certain to find one that works perfectly for your business.
5. Add helpful WordPress plugins: You’ll use plugins for security, SEO, and marketing purposes. You can install plugins at any time
6. Write your blog content: It’s time to start writing. If you have no idea what to write about on your blog, check out this list for inspiration.
7. Promote your content: Spread the word about blog using social media, email, and other channels.

As mentioned previously, to start a blog using sites other WordPress differs depending on the platform, but the process is usually just as straightforward. If you aren’t sure what platform to use, WordPress is the way to go. It’s free, easy to customize, and secure. Talk a to WordPress expert today to discuss if this platform is right for you and your organization. If you already have a blog, but you’re not sure how to develop a content marketing strategy for it, contact blogging professionals you can trust now.