Content is king
Update regularly
Google places a lot of emphasis on sites that are updated regularly. Similarly, users are much more likely to come back if you’re cconstantly updating with new content.
Ideally, you should post several times a day. But since most of us have a life you could probably get away with less.
| Rapid growth: | 2 to 3 posts a day | This is a good option if you’re blogging about local events or conditions that change rapidly. |
|---|---|---|
| Normal growth | 3 to 4 posts a week | This is good if you’re blogging about a wide variety of topics such as news, personal thoughts, interesting articles etc. |
| Steady growth | 1 post a week | This is good if you’re blogging for a company and your main priority isn’t the blog but you want to remain active. |
| Slow growth | 1 or 2 posts a month | This is a good option if your organization doesn’t have a lot of updates and you’re not worried about search engine ranking. |
The main thing to remember is stay consistent. For example, if you only post once a week, make sure it’s always on the same day.
Use proper SEO
Each post or page should have:
- Proper use of headings
- A header title with relevant keywords
- A meta description
- Meta keywords
- Proper keyword density and distribution
Submit an XML sitemap to Google, MSN and Yahoo!
Google, MSN and Yahoo! all accept XML sitemaps. It’s a good way to tell the search engines what content you have and how often it gets updated. This will keep the spiders coming back on a regular basis. There’s nothing more annoying than writing a post and waiting two months before it shows up in Google.
Create an RSS feed
Create an RSS feed for people to subscribe to. They are much more likely to visit your site if all they have to do is click a link in their feed.
Take an active approach
Add a link in your email signature and newsletter
This is a good way to promote your blog in people’s emails without spamming them.
Add a link in your business cards and brochures
This is a good way to promote your site to people who wouldn’t necessarily find it. Plus, if the person actually visits your site, then they are more likely to contact you because either they met you in person or they are interested in what you have to say.
Submit to blog directories
Blog directories are a dime a dozen, and though they can’t be relied upon to drive all your traffic, every little bit helps. And who knows, maybe your blog will be a hit.
Here are some of the more popular ones.
Submit to social bookmarking sites
Social bookmarking sites are a great way to promote a specific post. If your topic is a hit you’ll soon find your website flooded with traffic.
Post updates on Twitter and Facebook
If you have a large following, twitter and facebook can be one of the best ways to promote your blog. If you set up accounts though, don’t just post about business, also post about what you’re doing and thinking. People like to feel like they know the person behind the blog.
Get active on at least two forums
Forums are fantastic, and one of my favorite ways to promote my stuff. However, there’s a difference between being active on a forum and spamming a forum. By active I mean participate in conversations and start new threads. If you submit links to your blog, make sure that it’s to relevant to the threads, don’t just submit them to get traffic because the moderators will ban you.
Read and comment on other blogs
This is a good one though realize that not all blogs are the same. Some authors are more sensitive about links than others. For example, I don’t mind if someone makes a good suggestion and posts a link, but if they just say something like “Great post! check out my blog http://www.blog.com” I get annoyed and usually delete it. So like on the forums, be sure to contribute real content.
Use trackbacks
If you link to other blogs let the author know or send him a trackback. They will appreciate the extra traffic and will think kindly of you. You’re not just generating traffic when you write a blog, you’re building a reputation. This is a great way to enhance that.