The Value of News Articles

No one can fully understand the changing nature of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). Google’s constantly changes their search algorithm and it seems that brands and businesses are forever trying to play catchup with keywords, rankings and online traffic.

With all the social media strategies and pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns available, sometimes we forget one essential tool in the SEO team’s toolkit: blogging.

There remains a constant debate on whether blogging is still relevant today with social media adding value to online marketing. Some brands disregard the importance of blogs completely, considering it the least important component and focusing on other SEO efforts instead. This is a mistake.

Regardless of your business size, blogging is a vital aspect of a successful SEO strategy. This content marketing tool brings advantages for marketers and brands alike.

 

Google and News Articles

Living in an Internet-based society encourages brands to reach their clients where they often are: online. When a potential client searches for businesses in your industry, you want to be the first result on the list. In order to do so, you need effective search engine optimisation (SEO).

Additionally, simply having a blog will improve your Google rankings because the search engine rewards sites that consistently publish informative content.  When Google changes its algorithm it often punishes websites with stagnant content.  Blogging remains the best way to produce fresh content that provides actual value to visitors.

Before, the popular search engine placed emphasis on keywords. Today, Google utilises advanced algorithms in determining the frequency of posting on websites. High-quality content matters to Google. It awards higher rankings for sites with frequently posted high-quality content.

The crucial role of writing articles (‘blogging’)

At a time when many brands are pivoting towards other content marketing tactics such as video and social media marketing, is blogging still important?

The answer is a very resounding yes! For more established brands, a blog is an ideal medium for a multi-faceted content marketing strategy. For startups and new businesses, blogging is a marketing tool with a low entry barrier but a huge tangible pay-off.

Here’s why a high-quality blog, updated regularly remains a very effective way for businesses to drive traffic to their website and grow their brand.

Articles are flexible and complement good content marketing

Blogging is perfectly adaptive, making it the perfect complement to the other facets of your content marketing strategy. For instance, are you creating an e-book or brochure that members can easily download once they sign up? Your blogs for the next few weeks or even months can each focus on a topic or chapter covered in your printed publication, and then you can have a link on your article that goes to your e-book’s download page.

Blogs can also be helpful on-page content anchors for your social media updates. Whenever you publish a new blog post that you want to share, you can do so via your social media accounts. You may find that readers click over to your blog, read a few posts, then return to your Facebook post, and comment down their thoughts. Your audience will soon learn that you are providing relevant, authorative and useful information across different platforms, allowing users to engage in the channels that work best for them.

News Articles are trustworthy sources of information

Yes, your followers will likely click on a video out of curiosity or boredom but when they want to learn more and dig deeper, they’ll turn to the latest articles on your blog.

Bite-sized and easy-to-digest shorter blogs are a great way to share your unique takes on specific industry topics. They can also let you go over new products or features, or even a trending topic you know your audience is interested in.

With several well-researched blog posts, you can become a authoritative leader in your given area of niche in a way that other forms of content marketing and social media tactics are unlikely to accomplish.

You can easily include Internal links in article posts

Internal links encourage your readers and customers to spend more time on your website and blogs are simply the ideal home for those links. They’re the most logical and intuitive place to naturally insert those links, whether they lead to related products, services, or other blog posts.

As long as you link to relevant pages with anchor text that makes sense to online users, blogging is simply the most effective way to get them to explore your site’s on-page content. 

The relevance of fresh page content

Google loves fresh, unique SEO content. Brands should consistently upload new blogs filled with vital information weekly. Online searchers will find your site and read the most relevant content after each search. If you fail to update, Google will rank your website lower than others.

The internet is evolving constantly, and so are search engines. And as the main purpose of search engines is to offer the most relevant information to users, Google employs a freshness factor. It’s basically an algorithm that prioritises new and constantly updated content over old and outdated web pages. Why? Because users don’t like stale content and therefore nor does Google.

Updating existing content and adding new pages to your website is the first step in helping Google rank your site higher. But, in order for your page content to rank well, you should always consider what your ideal reader or customer finds relevant, and then adapt your blog posts to their frequently asked questions (FAQs) and interests.

It’s also important to note that fresh content is timely content. It centres around current news, events, and trending topics. If you have exciting news or insights about trends to share, write a blog post about it!  There is a growing trend to rename ‘blogs’ and call them ‘news articles’.  The word ‘blog’ often conjures up thoughts of personal ‘doodlings’ or travel diaries.  We would recommend calling them ‘news’ or ‘articles’.  It just sounds more professional.

Benefits of Articles by Simply IT Zanzibar

Writing articles marks you as trustworthy experts in the field. With the power of Facebook comes the opportunity of spreading the news. Once readers enjoy your article, they can share these posts to multiple social networks. If others come across your article, more people will know your site. Blogging also boosts a website’s search engine optimisation due to keyword placement. The more news posts you update, the more online traffic arrives at your website.

Never underestimate the power of an article. Writing news articles build a relationship between you and your readers, promoting your authority online. Simply IT, Zanzibar can help increase online traffic to your website. Browse through our site for our available services and contact us. now.

en_GBEnglish