We hear it all the time… “Why are we not ranking number one on Google?”

The truth is that there are hundreds of factors that play into your Google ranking and we don’t even pretend to know them all. But we do know that one of the most important ways to increase your SEO is keeping your content relative, unique and fresh. A coined term for this is “fresh content marketing.”

First, you need to be sure you are using keywords that are relevant to your business’ product or service – and use them often.

Understanding your competition, who is receiving success in the SEO world, is also important. What keywords are they using? Where in their site are they using these keywords? How relevant and unique is their content? How often are they updating their site?

Based on the answers to the previous questions and knowing your business’ identity, analyze YOUR site. Has it been over 6 months since you last updated it? Is your content well written and uniquely yours? (Not the same thing your competition said, just not AS good since you don’t have a professional copywriter.)

Another way to increase your SEO is by having others link to your site. You can do this by having great content that’s worth linking to, or you could beg your friend to link to you on their site – which we wouldn’t recommend. Linking is most easily achieved by posting videos, consistent and fresh content and encouraging an open forum of discussion for users.

So, if you are reading this and saying, “Yes, I want to be on the first page of Google!” or “I have great things to say and fresh content that needs to reach potential customers!” or “Oh, my gosh, HELP ME!” you definitely need a blog.

Blogs are an efficient and cost-effective way to consistently post new content, broadcast videos and communicate with users; and therefore, it is the most efficient and cost-effective means to increase your SEO.

So now you are completely jazzed about getting a blog! But, again, a blog is more than just slapping up an empty forum. You cannot expect content to appear, people to be buzzing about your business and for you to shoot up to number one on Google by just having a blog.

Your blog needs to be updated AT LEAST two to three times a month – if not weekly or daily. The reality is that most businesses don’t have the money for an employee to sit and blog for an hour every day. And really, we’re not suggesting that you post a life-changing, 1,000 word article on a daily basis.But, there are companies, like JM, who offer content management services, where blogging is made a fairly effortless process since we write the blog, produce videos and do the posting for you.

You may also be thinking that you want to increase your SEO so you can gain new customers and essentially ensure growth in your company, but you feel as though you can’t afford a blog or content marketing services.

Can you really afford to not have a blog? Can you afford to be on page five of a Google search? Can you afford to forgo a forum for your customers to get to know you personally and be in fellowship with one another?

You very well may not need a blog, and that’s great! But, if you are finding yourself wishing for higher SEO, a greater Internet presence and for consumers to be involved in and excited about your business, you should seriously consider this cost-effective viral/Internet marketing option.

Because, truly, can you afford to not have a blog?