“Blog” is a shortened word for its actual name, which is “web log.” When they first came into popularity, a web log allowed users to log-in details of their day-to-day activities in a diary-style webpage.
Blogs also let readers leave comments on your content, and as a result, it’s not uncommon for communities to spring up around popular blogs. In recent years, blogs have evolved to be so much more than web diaries. Today’s blogs have a considerable amount of variety, with topics such as travel, politics, and anything else under the sun. A blog is a valuable tool that many businesses use to increase their website traffic, and as a result, their revenue.
How Does Blogging Work?
Blogging can be as simple as creating a website and publishing your content on it. You can even create an account on a website such as WordPress to create a straightforward design and publishing system.
However, more tech-savvy bloggers can also purchase their domain name and build a website of their own.
While blogs usually employ a simple design with just one page, some blogs opt to have multiple pages, and older pieces can be archived in other parts of the site. There may even be separate pages for a bio or the creator’s contact information, but the actual blog itself will only be one page that you can scroll through.
And just like Facebook’s news feed, blogs will display the latest content right at the top of the page.
Blogging Pros
- Great for SEO: Blogging can be a great search engine optimization tool because search engines like Google love getting new content. You can define a blog through the fresh content it produces, and the frequency in which it is updated can help improve a website’s performance with SEO.
- Provides rapport with audiences: while a blog allows you to show off your knowledge on specific topics, it also provides an outlet where people can comment and interact with you. This lets your customers know more about you and convert your relationship into one with purchases.
- Allows you to maintain a relationship with customers: blogs can keep customers updated with what’s happening in your company. With it, you can tell them about discounts, new deals, as well as provide tips. The more you create content, the more visitors your blog will have, and the more likely you are to make money.
- Generate passive income: blogs that grow to become successful and famous can make money even while you sleep. Apart from your offer’s products and services, a blog can also create income from other sources, like affiliate products and advertising.
Blogging Cons
- Requires fresh ideas, non-stop: even if you post on your blog 27/4, it won’t make you any money unless your blogs are engaging and interesting. For many people, having to think of fresh ideas day in and day out can be draining. However, you have the option to hire freelancers or guest writers to create content, so you don’t have to do everything on your own.
- Time-consuming: blogging will only give you success if people come back for more, and they will only do so if there’s always something new to read. This means that bloggers will have to invest all their time and effort to create content that their audience finds engaging.
- Blogging alone won’t create income: in the past, posting one article was enough to generate both an income and some traffic. But that’s not how it works today. In the years after blogging took off, email marketing, social networks, and content upgrades have become necessary to make a living out of blogging.
- Pay is delayed: for many bloggers, the most frustrating part of the process is that there is little to no payoff when they start. As with many jobs, you don’t get rich overnight, but it also takes a long time to build your momentum and readership.