Starting a blog for your brand is a quick and easy way for small businesses to make themselves known and heard. It is one of the best methods to introduce yourself to new customers, strengthen your connection with existing clients, and share relevant information about your business. Regardless of the industry, blogging for business is beneficial for your organization.
In what ways can a business utilize a blog? A business has various options to do so, but the main objective is to persuade readers to become customers by demonstrating the value of the products being offered.
In addition to attracting customers and selling products, blogs offer business benefits in terms of organic SEO improvement. By mastering the art of blog post writing, you will discover that strategic utilization of keywords and backlinks enhances the credibility of your website in the eyes of search engines. Through keywords, search engine web crawlers are able to classify your site and display it as a relevant result when someone searches for a product or service you offer.
Start a blogging business by following these 10 steps:
STEP 1: Plan your business
– Reorganizing the given text by maintaining the same meaning: It is crucial to have a well-defined strategy in order to succeed as an entrepreneur. This strategy will assist in outlining the details of your business and unveiling any uncertainties. Several significant subjects that need to be taken into account include:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Fortunately, we have conducted a great deal of this research on your behalf.
What will you name your business?
Selecting the appropriate name is a significant and difficult task. If you do not have a predetermined name, you can refer to our How to Name a Business guide or utilize our Blogging Business Name Generator for assistance in generating ideas.
If you have a sole proprietorship, you might consider using a business name that is different from your own name. To gather more information, you can visit our DBA guide.
We advise conducting research on your business name by checking when registering a business name.
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability.
Securing your domain name before others do is of utmost importance.
What are the costs involved in opening a blogging business?
Starting a blogging business requires minimal financial capital, with the main expenses being domain registration (~$15 per year) and hosting fees (~$15 per month). However, it is possible to start a blog for free on platforms like Blogger or WordPress.com, although this may limit customization, advertising options, and monetization. Those with available funds may choose to invest in various aspects of their business, such as:
- Features that improve the design of their website (e.g. a custom header or theme)
- Content that increases engagement (e.g. infographics)
- Advertisements that increase visibility (e.g. ads or sponsored posts on other sites)
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
The sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation are the most frequently encountered types of business structures.
If your blogging business is sued, establishing a legal business entity like an LLC or corporation ensures that you are safeguarded from personal liability.
STEP 3: Register for taxes
Before you can start operating, you will have to complete the registration process for several state and federal taxes.
To register for taxes, you will be required to apply for an EIN, which is both simple and free of charge.
To obtain your EIN, you can visit the IRS website. If you wish to gain a better understanding of EINs, we recommend reading our article titled “What is an EIN?”
In our state sales tax guides, you can find information on specific state taxes that may be applicable to your business, such as state sales tax and franchise taxes.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
The use of dedicated business banking and credit accounts is indispensable for safeguarding personal assets.
If you mix your personal and business accounts, there is a risk of your personal assets (including your home, car, and other valuables) being exposed to potential lawsuits against your business. This legal concept is known as piercing the corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Opening a business bank account is not only necessary for applying for business loans, but it also serves other purposes.
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Get a business credit card
Using a business credit card provides you with the following benefits:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
It is crucial to record all of your expenses and sources of income in order to comprehend the financial progress of your business. Additionally, keeping precise and comprehensive records greatly facilitates your annual tax filing process.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
If you fail to obtain the required permits and licenses, it can lead to substantial penalties or even the closure of your business.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Your business requires insurance, much like licenses and permits, for safe and lawful operation. Business Insurance safeguards your company’s financial stability if a covered loss occurs.
STEP 8: Define your brand
A strong brand helps your business to differentiate itself from competitors by reflecting what your company stands for and how it is perceived by the public.
STEP 9: Create your business website
Once you have defined your brand and designed your logo, the subsequent step entails creating a website for your business.
Creating a website is a crucial step, but some people may worry that they cannot do it because they lack experience in building websites. Although this concern may have been valid in 2015, there have been significant advancements in web technology in recent years that simplify the lives of small business owners.
There are several main reasons why it is important not to postpone the task of building your website.
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is a highly effective method for preserving the separation and privacy between your personal and professional life. Additionally, it offers several other advantages such as streamlining your business operations, establishing credibility, and facilitating convenient communication for potential customers trying to reach you.
Benefits of blogging for your business
Let’s analyze a few additional advantages of business blogging, as it aids in the growth of your business, enhances your expertise, and establishes you as a reliable source for individuals interested in your products or services.
Drive conversions and profits
The main objective of running an e-commerce business is to generate sales. Each person who visits your website has the potential to make a purchase. However, certain individuals may prefer to gather more information about your company, product, or reasons behind selling the items. A blog can fulfill their need for information and motivate them to complete their purchase.
Become an industry leader
Having expertise in a specific field is generally valued by individuals. It indicates that you are genuinely passionate about the products or services you offer. By creating a brand blog, you can showcase your knowledge, perspectives, expertise, and achievements, thus allowing customers to gain a deeper understanding of your offerings. Consequently, this can enhance your conversion rates by providing customers with greater comprehension of their purchases and the potential experiences associated with using the product.
Increase website traffic
The fact that the internet is saturated with sellers is undeniable. By blogging, you enhance your website’s traffic by boosting search engine rankings, captivating viewers for longer durations, and maximizing the possibility of conversion.
According to a study conducted by Orbit Media Studios, blogging has led to an improvement in results for 77% of bloggers.
Enhance link building efforts
By including hyperlinks to credible sources such as manufacturers or government agencies with supporting data, you can enhance your search engine ranking. In addition, readers have the opportunity to explore the linked sources and gain additional knowledge about specific product aspects, conducted tests, or the health advantages offered by your merchandise. This practice not only enhances your authority but also instills a sense of trust in potential customers.
Educate consumers about your business
Blogging for business offers the advantage of providing insight into your business and its operations. This includes discussing day-to-day activities, material sourcing, introducing employees, and sharing notable experiences with customers. Additionally, you can share the reasons behind your choice of business and your aspirations for its future.
Promote your brand for free
Blogging is a marketing technique that allows you to freely discuss your business. Your blog can be utilized to endorse specific products, build anticipation for upcoming exciting releases, and make announcements about forthcoming sales. Apart from the time invested in writing the blog, there are no expenses involved for you.
Nurture the relationship between you and your customers
One advantage of having a blog for businesses is that it helps to establish a personal connection with your business. By reading your blog, customers can gain insights into your identity, your business principles, your commitment to providing high-quality products or services, and your dedication to excellent customer service. Consequently, this creates a sense of familiarity and satisfaction among customers, enhancing their confidence in purchasing from you.
Repurpose blogs for social media marketing
It is undeniably time-consuming to write a blog; however, this endeavor can be utilized for social media marketing, ultimately saving you time. By utilizing the entire blog or a portion of it, you can entice individuals to follow a link leading to your blog and encourage them to read further.
According to Statista, 90% of online bloggers utilized social media to promote their blogs in 2021, indicating that it is a widely accepted marketing strategy.
Boost brand awareness and loyalty
When contemplating the utilization of a blog for a business, one might overlook its potential to enhance brand recognition and foster customer allegiance. Customers prefer to engage with businesses that provide them with valuable interactions. An informative business blog that delves into various subjects cultivates a sense of alignment between the customer and the offerings of the business.
Partner with influencers or brands for guest blogging
By teaming up with an influencer or a brand in the same industry, you can increase the visibility of your brand. The followers of these individuals are genuinely interested in their opinions, and if they share a post on your blog, you will attract a new audience who may not have discovered or considered your products otherwise. Targeted audiences perceive influencers or brand representatives as authorities and will view your brand with the same level of trustworthiness.
