While blogging is an excellent side hustle and a reliable digital marketing tactic, there is a right and wrong way to approach blogging.In other words, there are strategies you can use to see consistent boosts in traffic. There are also mistakes you can make that will leave your Google Analytics reading, “Website traffic, party of one. Who’s the one? Your mom.”
This article will discuss the 8 deadly blogging sins to avoid in 2021, so you can scale your blog quickly.
1. Picking a bad domain name
One of the first things you’ll do when starting a blog is pick a domain name. Your domain name is the address searchers will type into their browser to find your website. For example, the domain name at EASTLINKCLOUD is eastlinkcloud.com
It’s critical to pick the right domain name from the beginning so people can find your site easily. Here are some tips to help you:
– Choose an available domain name
– Keep it simple
– Pick your brand name
2. Not choosing a reputable web hosting company
Web hosting is the service that makes sure your website appears on the internet, protects your information, and keeps your site running quickly.
While there are several web hosting companies available, not all offer the same excellent services.
Top hosting companies like EASTLINKCLOUD will provide:
Multiple hosting options to meet your specific needs (e.g., shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated servers, reseller hosting, etc.)
– Free SSL certificate
– Free domain name
– 1-click install enable
– Domain registration
And more!
You may be tempted to choose just any web hosting company, but this is begging for problems with website load time, website security, and storage. Pick EASTLINKCLOUD instead.
3.Not using WordPress
WordPress is the most popular content management system for a reason. More than 40% of websites in the world run on WordPress, which accounts for over 64% of the market share.
WordPress isn’t just for beginners. Some of the most popular and complex websites run on WordPress (e.g., Skype, Disney, and Yelp). Many websites that started out small but grew quickly also run on WordPress.Additionally, WordPress integrates with all major web hosting companies, making it easy to install it with one-click. The one-click installation will help you avoid all the headaches of starting a new blog.
Here’s the best advice I can give: Save your precious research time for deciding what plugins to use, not which content management system to use. Choose WordPress.
4.Picking an ugly or outdated theme
Some WordPress themes are limited, outdated, or bogged down with unnecessary code snippets, which will make your website run slowly.
The best alternative is to choose a good WordPress theme from the beginning. Pick a theme that is:
– Customizable
– Speedy
– Mobile-friendly
– SEO-friendly
– Responsive
– Compatible with all browsers
– Updated regularly
It’s hard to go wrong with themes WordPress suggests. Other themes to check out include Divi, Elementor, and Ultra.
5. Not publishing consistently
A few years ago, I was at a writing convention learning from bloggers who have been wildly successful.
The Six Sisters team was at the convention, and gave an outstanding presentation on how to grow a successful blog.
Their advice? Publish consistently.This doesn’t mean you have to publish every day. Readers typically don’t care how often you publish as long as there is some posting pattern. They only want to know when they can expect new content from you and for you to deliver on your promise.
Remember, it’s much better to write well-researched, helpful, and engaging posts less often than it is to post anything every day.
6. Not writing for your audience
The best way to capture your target audience’s ongoing attention is to write about topics that interest them, not you.To find your target audience, look at your current customer base. Use your CRM, data, and market research to determine your customers’ demographics, interests, favorite social media platforms, behavioral patterns, and purchasing decisions.
Above all, dig deep to find out what your readers’ pain points are. Ask yourself what problems your customers have, and then write posts that speak to those pain points.
When you’re focused on writing blog posts that entertain, educate, or connect with your target audience, you’ll see boosts in traffic.
7. Not optimizing your posts for search
The primary purpose of a blog is to create a meaningful relationship with your readers. As mentioned above, the topics you pick must resonate with your audience.
However, it’s also critical to remember that it won’t do anyone much good if internet searchers can’t find your content.
8.Not using social media to promote your blog
You don’t have tons of followers, you can boost blog exposure with social media advertising. It’s worth your time to engage new followers via advertising, considering that after following a new company on social media, consumers will continue to engage with the brand.
In fact, 91% of new followers will visit the brand’s website, 89% will make a purchase, and 85% will recommend the brand.While you’ll naturally share your posts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest, remember you can leverage new platforms to drive traffic to your blog as well. Get in with the Gen Z crowd by promoting your blog content on Snapchat and TikTok.
