Blogging, as most online marketers have learned, is a number one priority. Modern content marketing trumps pay-per-click campaigns, helps enhance social media exposure, and climbs search result page rankings. Choosing the most powerful blogging platform, however, is a good first step.
Blogger, Tumblr, Medium, Quora, and other platforms fall short of WordPress. Not only are accounts free on WordPress, the platform is highly versatile, functional, and easy to use for non-tech-savvy writers and marketers.
Why WordPress Wins
WordPress streamlines a lot of complex marketing strategies. Search engine optimization, for example, is often misunderstood or over-utilized (which leads to Google page ranking penalties) by companies. Whether you’re experienced in SEO or not, WordPress is authoritative enough to help any blog achieve its maximum potential. WordPress is even endorsed by Google, a megalithic entity that is typically against all things SEO.
SEO relates to keywords. Keywords are how people find information on the Web, and today that info is usually picked up through blogs. WordPress allows users to upload their posts and implement backend SEO without a headache. It’s all based on keywords, as mentioned, and finding those keywords greatly influences the topics writers write about.
With Google Hummingbird, the search engine’s newest algorithm, Web surfers are able to retrieve semantic search results. This means phrases like, “Where can I find an outlet mall in my area?” are easier to search for than, “Outlet malls in San Francisco.” This is linked to Google’s push for voice-activated searching, and keywords play a major role here.
Writers need to find keywords that are popular, timely, and encapsulate the purpose of the blog and the business writing it. When you’re hunting for topics, consider checking out what the competition is blogging about, using previous analytical information to see how old blogs performed, and even Google potential topics to see how other blogs rank. The idea is to find keywords that Web users will search.
Other than SEO, WordPress makes content easy. The most powerful blogging platform doesn’t require marketers to understand HTML or Web-editing tools. Instead, writers can use WordPress’ built-in tools for creating intriguing and original pages. The same goes for extensions (plugins, themes, etc.). The platform has hundreds of pre-made designs for a minimum cost.
WordPress also has unparalleled support. The blog company’s developer and support staff are able to help you try new things on the platform and maximize a blog’s true potential. Better yet, WordPress is made for sharing.
Sharing the News
With Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, and other tie-ins, users can easily share their posts through a number of social media channels. With built-in plugins for auto-sharing and liking, all bloggers have to do is write intriguing content that readers want to promote.
Another thing bloggers should keep in mind is Google Authorship. Since Google launched Hummingbird, the search engine has begun to promote Google+ authors with blogs. You can tie your blogs to your Google+, which increases the likelihood of them showing up on search engine result pages. When a searcher clicks your authorship profile, he or she is directed to a directory of other blogs you have written (which is a great way to keep all of your business-based blogs in one place).
Accessibility
Yes — the most powerful blogging platform is free. There are pay-for-service options, though beginner bloggers don’t have to worry about being charged for anything. The platform is also extremely easy to learn how to use and optimize. More often than not, companies directly link their created content to their websites. With plugins, it is simple to keep sites updated with fresh blog content directly from WordPress.
Web-Building
Like Facebook, WordPress sites can act as a second or even primary website. This is useful for smaller companies who are currently building Web-based assets or don’t need a full-on website in the first place. Through WordPress, marketers can create:
- Online directories
- Landing pages
- Newsletters
- Sales information
- E-commerce tie-ins
- In-depth articles
WordPress, because of how flexible it is, is also respected by readers and other companies. With the most powerful blogging platform in your corner, you no longer have to worry about “What platform is best” or figuring out how to optimize websites.
Photo by: Page by Matt Petronzio