Are People Reading Blogs Anymore?
,The short answer is yes, and people will certainly be reading blogs for years to come. Although, how people read blogs is changing a lot. What follows is a more detailed discussion regarding how people are starting to read blogs, and what bloggers can do to keep their readers engaged.
Are People Reading Blogs Anymore?
According to Statistics
According to the latest blogging statistics, an overwhelming 77 percent of Internet users report frequently reading blog content. Yet, despite a consistent increase in the number of people reading blog posts, how they read them is changing. The average reader only spends 37 seconds reading a blog post today. Most people are unlikely to read an entire blog post from start to finish in this amount of time. Instead, readers will scan for the information they are looking for.
How Bloggers Need To Adapt to Changes
Blogging is still relevant in 2022, but the spotlight is on content marketing and how multiple pieces of quality content carried across different channels can benefit your website. It is not about blog posts anymore, it is about different, easy-to-find content pieces within the post.
More than ever before, it is essential that bloggers create skimmable content for readers, so they can quickly locate the answers they are looking for and move on with their busy lives. One of the most important aspects of creating content is choosing a blog layout and design that encourages your readers to come back for more. In the end, people read blogs because they are looking for solutions to problems they have. A blog is often one of the best online solutions for finding answers.
Why Do People Still Read Blogs Today?
People read blog posts for many reasons. Bloggers can drive traffic to your website by understanding what people are looking for within the content. Below are some of the most common reasons people read blog posts today.
- Find answers in the quickest time possible
- Learn a new skill by using a guide
- Watch a video tutorial that walks them through completing a certain task or gain understanding
- Follow the teachings of an expert within a particular niche
- Solicit advice on a forum of a relevant blog topic
- Get relevant news or updates on current events and happenings
- Connect with other like-minded individuals
- Help with a decision when buying a new product or service
- Better understand how a newly acquired product or service they purchased works
Best Design Practices for a Blog People Will Read
With well over 4 billion people using the Internet today, there is an unprecedented level of competition to not only grab the attention of the readers but also to rank in search. There is truly a race to the top of the mountain when it comes to providing useful, valuable, and accessible content to people around the world. A successful blog will deliver content to readers in a format that readers want to consume it in.
Tips for Designing a Blog
- Craft Clear, Compelling Headlines
- Create a clear blog headline that describes what the reader will get from the article. A great headline will entice readers to click and dive deeper into your content.
- Incorporate an Easy-to-Navigate Table of Contents
- Have a clickable table of contents near the top and then a scrolling table of contents menu that moves along with the reader, through the length of the article. This will make it easier for readers to jump around and find the answers they are looking for.
- Choose Readable, User-Friendly Fonts
- Choose readable fonts that are easy on the eyes. Opt for fonts that are easy on the eyes, such as sans-serif styles, and ensure the font size is large enough for comfortable reading across devices.
- Organize Content for Easy Access
- Organize your layout to make it easily accessible. Break your content into digestible sections with clear subheadings. Use bullet points, numbered lists, and short paragraphs to keep things clean and organized.
- Enhance Your Blog with High-Quality Visuals
- Utilize high-quality images that complement your content and enhance the reader’s understanding or experience.
- Optimize for Fast Load Times
- Consider the page load time. Optimize images, reduce unnecessary scripts, and use caching to ensure your blog loads quickly. A slow-loading site will turn readers away before they even see your content.
- Include Clear and Actionable Calls to Action (CTAs)
- Include compelling calls to action. Whether you want readers to comment, share, subscribe, or explore another post, always include a strong call to action.
- Balance Creativity with Simplicity
- Remember there is a fine line between creative and cluttered.
- Encourage Reader Interaction and Engagement
- Encourage engagement from the reader. Encourage readers to leave comments, share your posts, and ask questions.
- Design for Your Audience’s Preferences
- Make your layout audience relatable. Whether it’s young professionals or hobbyists, understanding what your readers value in a blog layout will help you create a user experience that resonates with them.
The Target Audience
You will need to learn how to find blogs that speak to your target audience if you want to build a real business around your blog. When starting a blog, the most important thing you can do is develop a deep understanding of who your blog audience is. This will help you build the foundation on which your blog can grow.
To start, focus on solving or discussing real problems that people face. When you have found your perfect target audience, you will be able to write articles your audience will want to read. Over time you will get to know your audience and which topics are more popular.
Blogs can be high-quality sources of reliable information and educational resources for people anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. For that reason alone, blogs will be here to stay for a very long time. However, as a blogger, you will need to put in the work to make sure you create, high-quality, useful content and a user-friendly design.
Additional Information: 13 Ways to Improve Blog Readability
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