They’ve read your blog post, now what?

searchrovrdemo on August 31, 2024

What are the “next steps” we should be encouraging the users to take after they read a post?
If so, does that vary by post?

This question can impact some design and functionality but more importantly it could impact your business’s bottom line.

They’ve read the content, found it of value, now what? Do we want them to…

  • Leave a comment
  • Share on Social Media
  • Email the author
  • Go check out a product or product category
  • Sign up for an email blast
  • Join a Social community (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook)
  • Trade their email for a free download
  • Visit another related site
  • Become a contributor

The answer(s) to what you want a user to do after reading your content are going to be different for everyone.  BUT whatever the case, this is a very very important question to wrestle with.

A great blog post doesn’t just inform—it guides the reader toward what to do next. Without a clear next step, even the most engaging content can become a dead end. Whether it’s prompting readers to explore related articles, download a resource, sign up for a newsletter, or take action on your product or service, a well-placed call to action keeps the momentum going.

Every blog post should have a purpose beyond just being read—think of it as the start of a conversation, not the end. By giving readers a logical next step, you turn passive readers into engaged users and, ultimately, into loyal customers.

Blogging without having a “next step” lined up for a user is a wasted opportunity.

 

5 Most Common Missed Website Opportunities We See Businesses Making

Josh Mallard on November 15, 2016

missed-opportunities-website-train-leaving

Pursue these common missed website opportunities and find sweet success with your online efforts.

1. Missing Strategy / Being Thought-less

I’m reminded of the classic line asked of you while checking out at the grocery store: “Did you find everything ok?”. Great, I’ve got 6 anxious people behind me in line and now is the time to help me locate curry powder?

We see companies forming their web presences in the same manner. You need to have thoughtful strategic intent behind every part of your website.

2. Forgetting to Track Traffic or Analyze It

It never ceases to amaze me when I discover a new client has never looked at their analytics or, even worse, has none at all.

It would be like a running a restaurant with the lights out. You wouldn’t know if the restaurant was busy or not. You can’t tell if potential customers are being served. You have no idea if table 10 got the correct order.

You can’t optimize and improve what you don’t track!

3. Not Pursuing Snappy Site-Speed

How fast a web page loads is key to a great user experience and whether people stick around to dig further. The difference between a 2-second page load and a 4-second page load can massively affect your site success. (Here’s a tool we like to check site speed)

4. Letting the Site’s Content Go Stale

Blogging is hard! (Here you go: 4 Blogging Tips) Your company may be fast-moving so keeping the service and team pages updated is a never-ending chore. But wow, can it make a big difference in how people judge your brand. (Don’t forget Social Media!)

Picture this…you look up a local restaurant. The last post on the restaurant’s Facebook page is from two years ago. Half the items on the menu are no longer made or the price has changed. You’ll likely move on to another restaurant option.

Some firms neglect their websites in the same fashion. Your website is an online representation of your offline brand. It is likely to be one of the first and most important impressions of your brand!

5. Neglecting A/B Testing and Conversion Optimization

This one is hard and the most excusable in this list. However, if you have a sufficient level of traffic and clear next steps (e.g. contact forms, email lists, etc.) there may be huge missed opportunity to improve your pitch.

As always, we’re happy to chat and see if we’d be a great fit to help your firm capture opportunities.

Did you catch our recent series on IT vs. Marketing? 

The Purpose of a Website or: Why Your Site Might Fail

searchrovrdemo on February 16, 2011

Fair warning, this is a philosophical post.

It’s also a very important post that could have consequences if you have not also philosophized about your site’s purpose. 🙂

When we chat with new clients to get to know them, their business and what the web project entails, we are often struck by how many have not asked themselves,

“Why do I have a website?!?!?”

This seems like a stupidly simple question but it is not.

Often this question has very different answers depending on the business and their industry.

It could be…

  • As an online brochure
  • To allow customers to interface with them online
  • Showcase products
  • Highlight expertise

…And a myriad of other possibilities. But in the end, the reason for a website is probably not dissimilar to the purpose of a business (from Peter Drucker)…

To find and keep customers

If we apply that to a business’s web presence then your web efforts need to help you find and keep customers. Or from an Inbound Marketing perspective, help your customers find you!

Ask yourself:

  • Is my site findable to my audience?
  • Am I able to monitor site traffic from that audience?
  • What is the goal I have for that audience? (the conversion question) [hint: could be sending you a message, picking up the phone, subscribing…]

The answers to these questions will guide what your site looks like, what functionality it needs to have, and what tools like blogging and social media you really need.  Don’t get online just because it is fashionable. Have a purpose and a goal for it to help your business.

Ancient Chinese Web Proverb: “If you have no goals, results, or plan for your site…they are sure to be answered”.