Blogging can be one of the most effective ways to get your message out to potential remodeling clients. The home building and remodeling industry is perfectly suited for the content marketing approach of a blog; the opportunity to be seen as a thought leader and industry expert makes you stand out from other contractors.
It’s also a great way to make sure your website content doesn’t become static. Creating blog posts on a regular basis means gives your site the type of dynamic, updated content that Google and other search engines love.
If your blog isn’t working to drive more attention to your remodeling business, there may be several reasons why. Here are some of the most common blogging mistakes.
1. You don’t have a content strategy
The most important part of a successful blog is having a strategy with concrete goals. What do you want the blog to accomplish? Do you want to increase a certain type of business (kitchens, decks, etc.)? Is the goal to reach a certain type of customer (empty nesters, new homeowners)? Make sure the content is serving that audience.
The strategy should be documented, so it’s readily accessible to anyone who may have to take over the blog – don’t rely on it being the purview of one person, in case that person leaves for another job, gets ill, etc.
2. Your blog isn’t search engine optimized
Search is the top source for traffic to blogs, responsible for 68 percent of visitors, according to BrightEdge.
We want to be using the right words for the goals identified in your content strategy. Make sure your blog posts mention your location, as well as keywords for the type of work you want to do. Google Adwords or other sources can help you research the most popular terms – or you can work with a professional marketing company like RT Marketing to do the research for you and give you specialized recommendations. Be sure to avoid using too much industry jargon, too.
It’s also important to have a good linking strategy – linking to both outside sources as well as linking to other pages on your site.
3. Content posting is inconsistent
Set a regular schedule and make sure you stick to it. Whether that’s once a week or once a month (but once a week is better), consistent blogging will help build a library of content and build an audience. Having more content will also help with your SEO!
4. There is no call to action
Every blog post should be asking your readers to do something. That call to action can be offering a free home energy evaluation, promoting a discount on siding or simply giving them an easy way to contact you for more information about kitchen remodeling.
5. Your blog has a bad design
A blog needs to be easy to read and easy to navigate. Colors, layout and fonts all need to be easy on the eyes in both desktop and mobile browsers. A plain white background with a simple, dark font is easy to read and will keep readers from being bogged down. Use a blogging platform like WordPress that is responsive or mobile-friendly.
While you’re at it, be sure to check for spelling and grammatical errors, as well as bad links.
6. You’re not using social media
Search may be the most important way to drive traffic to your blog, but using your social media accounts is also an important part of blogging success. After all, more than 70 percent of American adults use at least one social media site regularly.
Sharing your blog content across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., is a great way to spread your information further and reach new customers as well as your existing ones.
Need help starting a blog or getting your existing marketing on track? Contact RT Marketing today to learn more about how we can help your remodeling business!