There is a lot of work from home opportunities but among them, blogging is perhaps one of the easiest to get into.
It’s an awesome way to express yourself or talk about something you’re passionate about. It’s also very lucrative.
Some people earn $20,000 a month or more from their blogs alone!
However, a lot of people hoping to make quick money by blogging fail to make a single cent off their site even after months of work.
Table of Contents
Top 8 Mistakes that Bloggers Make
These are some of the most common reasons why newbie (or sometimes veteran) bloggers fail to get traction or make money from their blogs.
1. Focusing on an Unpopular Niche
Some people blog because it’s their passion to do so. But for people who want to blog for a living, choosing a popular niche matters a lot more.
The truth is, traffic can determine how much a blog earns. In most cases, the more people come to your site, the higher your revenue.
That’s why it would be a good idea to focus on a niche that’s in demand or has an established customer base.
Some of the most popular topics are health, finance, travelling, and fashion. Try creating a blog focusing on these and you might see better results in both your traffic and revenue.
2. Writing without a Goal in Mind
Before writing, you should be clear about what you want to achieve with your article/ content.
It’s easy to write about your experiences, passion, or interesting topics.
But, if you want to make money from your blog, then you should write it in such a way that people will want to click on an offer or link.
That’s why setting goals is a very important step before writing.
If you can focus your efforts around a goal, then it’s going to be so much easier to write content that converts.
3. Your Blogs aren’t SEO-friendly
When it comes to traffic, the higher the blog’s ranking on Google search, the more leads it generates. Websites that appear on the number 1 position of Google search get 33% organic traffic.
So, how do you get to the top of Google?
Well, one way you can do it is by writing your content in a way that’s easy to read. Avoid using words that are too complex. And, if you do use difficult terms, make sure to define them in a simple way!
Add lots of white space and pattern interruptions to give your readers’ eyes a break and keep them engaged.
Also, use high-quality images in your blog. Readers will appreciate it if you add an image or two that complements your article.
4. The Meta Descriptions aren’t Compelling Enough
Meta descriptions summarize what your content is all about. This snippet will be shown on the search results which can encourage potential readers to click on your site.
Now, you can publish articles or blogs without a meta description. In cases like these, Google will choose a text from your website that it thinks matches your search query.
However, it is still better to control what’s written on your meta description in a way that encourages readers to click. It’s one way to increase your traffic without having to spend too much time or effort into marketing your content.
5. Your Content Lacks Relevant Information
In 2020, content is king. Google loves it when you publish content that’s full of juicy information that people can count on.
Content length is one of the metrics that Google uses and blogs with more than 1000 words do get good results. But that doesn’t mean that you have to write a 4000-word essay filled with fluff.
Instead, your blog’s articles must match whatever your reader is looking for. Their search intent varies, but everyone is looking for information they can use.
When you’ve become known for giving out valuable and actionable content, people will most likely keep coming back to your site.
In some cases, they’ll even link back to your website if they’re publishing articles. When this happens, Google will see your site as a trusted source and boost your ranking on the SERPs.
6. Your Headlines aren’t Turning Heads
If your blog’s headlines aren’t catchy or provide enough information about the section below it, then chances are readers will move on to other sites.
One good tip to making great headlines is to ask “do they help the person reading it?” and “Does it stand out?”.
If it answers these questions, then your headline is good enough.
Here are some tips that can help you craft awesome headlines:
-Use numbers
-Write them in a way like you’re talking to a friend
-Focus on HELPING instead of TELLING
7. It’s NOT Posted on the Right Social Media Channels
Social media is a powerful tool when it comes to user engagement and traffic.
It’s tempting to post on every social media channel available, but it’s just not the best use for your time and energy.
You might end up wasting your time and effort posting on channels that give you no traction at all.
That’s why it would be better to post or promote your blog on social media channels where your audience hangs out.
For example, if your content is more relatable for professionals and freelancers, you might have better results if you post/promote it on LinkedIn instead of Tumblr.
8. Your Site isn’t Mobile-Friendly
It’s not just the words you write that matter. Your blog’s appearance can be a major factor in determining your site’s Google ranking.
According to Statistica, the number of smartphone users rose from 3.2 billion in 2019 to 3.5 billion in 2020! Experts forecast that this number will reach up to 3.8 billion by 2021.
With so many users, it’s no wonder why one of Google’s goals is to encourage developers to design mobile-friendly websites. That means your website or blog should be easy for mobile users to navigate.
It might take some time for you to understand how to create a mobile-friendly blog site but once you get the hang of it, the rewards will be worth the effort.
You can start by running your website through Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to see if your blog needs more work.
This tool will give you some suggestions on what to fix along with a few resources on how to fix them.
Conclusion
Blogging is a fun and very rewarding career path. You can make some serious amount of cash just by monetizing a few articles.
However, understand that blogging is so much more than a dumping place for your random thoughts. There is a science to the way you present your opinions meant to give value to your readers.
Now that you know the common mistakes, get out there and do the changes!
