Blogging for Business: Why It Works and How to Start

Blogging might sound like something people do to share travel stories or review the latest gadgets, but for businesses, it’s a powerful tool for growth. Whether you’re running a long-established firm in Leeds or just setting up a new venture, blogging can help you get found online, build credibility, and attract new customers. In this post, I’m going to break down exactly why blogging matters for your business and how you can get started – even if you’re not a natural writer.

Why Blogging Still Matters in 2025

With all the noise on social media and new digital tools popping up constantly, you might wonder if blogging is still relevant. The answer is a firm yes. Here’s why:

• It boosts your SEO. Every new blog post is another indexed page on your website. That gives Google more content to crawl, more opportunities to show up in search results, and more internal linking possibilities to improve site structure.
• It positions you as an expert. By sharing insights and knowledge, you build trust with potential customers. You’re not just selling – you’re helping.
• It fuels your social media and email marketing. Blogs give you valuable content to share across platforms and in newsletters, keeping your audience engaged without always being salesy.
• It works long term. Unlike ads, a good blog post keeps working for you. Some of the most-visited pages on business websites are years old.

The SEO Benefits of Blogging

If your goal is to get more people to your website through search engines, blogging is one of the most effective strategies. Google prioritises websites that are regularly updated and offer useful, relevant information. Every blog post gives you a chance to:

• Target specific keywords (like “small business web design Leeds” or “how to improve website speed”)
• Answer questions your audience is typing into Google
• Rank for long-tail search phrases that your main website pages may not cover

Here at Leeds Web Designer, I’ve seen local businesses significantly increase their visibility just by committing to a regular blog schedule. For example, one tradesman went from having no search presence to generating regular leads after we built his site and published blog posts tailored to the kinds of questions his customers were asking.

What Should You Blog About?

The best blog topics solve real problems for your audience. Start by thinking about the kinds of questions your customers ask you every day. These often make brilliant blog titles. For example:

• What to include on a new business website
• How much does a logo design cost in the UK?
• How to improve website speed and performance
• Pros and cons of DIY website builders
• What is SEO and do I really need it?

If you offer products, you can write about how to use them, how they’re made, or compare different options. If you offer services, you can write about the process, pricing, benefits, or client success stories. The key is to make the content useful.

Also, think seasonal. For example, a post about “Website design trends for 2025” or “How to prepare your website for Christmas” can tap into timely searches.

How Often Should You Blog?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but consistency is more important than volume. If you can only commit to one post a month, that’s still better than none. Ideally, aim for 1-2 quality posts per month. Each one should be at least 1000 words, though longer posts (like this one) often perform better in search.

If you’re short on time, you can always outsource the writing – just make sure whoever writes your content understands your business and your audience. At Leeds Web Designer, I often help clients plan, structure, and even write blog content that aligns with their site goals.

Writing Tips for Non-Writers

If the idea of writing fills you with dread, you’re not alone. But remember, your blog doesn’t have to win literary awards – it just needs to be helpful, clear, and honest. Here are a few tips:

• Use a simple structure. Start with an intro, break the body into sections with subheadings, and end with a conclusion or call to action.
• Write like you talk. Imagine you’re explaining something to a customer face-to-face.
• Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be useful. You can always edit later.
• Use tools to help. Grammarly, Hemingway, and Google Keyword Planner can all make the process easier.

Structuring a Blog Post That Works

Here’s a quick structure to follow for a business blog post:

1. Headline – Make it clear and clickable. “How to…”, “Top 5…”, or a question format works well.
2. Introduction – Hook the reader and explain what they’ll learn.
3. Body content – Use subheadings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to keep it readable.
4. Internal links – Link to your own services or other relevant blog posts.
5. External links – Link to helpful resources that add credibility.
6. Call to action – Tell the reader what to do next. Get in touch, book a call, download a guide, etc.

Measuring the Impact of Your Blog

Once your posts are live, track how they’re performing. Tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console will show you:

• Which blog posts are getting the most views
• How people are finding your content (search, social, email)
• What visitors do after reading – do they explore more pages or leave?

This data can help you improve future posts and decide what topics to focus on.

Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

A blog can be brilliant for business, but only if done right. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Writing only about yourself. It’s not about what you want to say, it’s about what your audience needs.
• Inconsistent publishing. An abandoned blog can look worse than no blog at all.
• Thin content. Avoid short, vague posts. Aim to go deep and be useful.
• No call to action. Always give the reader a next step.

Blogging as Part of a Bigger Strategy

Blogging works best when it’s part of a wider digital strategy. For example:

• Write blog posts to support the services you want to rank for
• Share your posts on social media with a short, punchy intro
• Repurpose blog content into videos, newsletters, or guides
• Link blog posts to your website design services, SEO packages, or WordPress support

Done well, blogging keeps your website fresh, drives traffic, and turns visitors into leads.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just don’t know where to begin, I’m here to help. Whether you want help planning topics, writing posts, or integrating blogging into your SEO strategy, I can support you. I work with businesses of all sizes across Leeds and beyond to create websites and content that not only look good but actually perform.

Get a Quote or Ask a Question

If you’re thinking about blogging for your business and want to know more about how it fits into your website strategy, get in touch. Whether you need help setting up your blog, writing your first post, or just want some pointers, I’m happy to chat.

Visit my contact page or book a free consultation to get started.