If you’ve been working hard to build an outstanding blog, but the number of readers isn’t increasing as quickly as you’d like, don’t despair. You can attract a steady stream of visitors to your blog by following some simple best practices.

The first step is creating better content. The term “content is king” gets thrown around more than a funnel at a frat party, but it’s true that quality content makes a difference. You can create better content by taking a few steps:

Research keywords. Using tools such as Moz’s Keyword Explorer, Semrush and others will help you identify keywords that are both effective and efficient. Once you’ve compiled a list of keywords, use them in your blog posts and on social media to drive traffic to your site.

Focus on evergreen topics. It’s tempting to write about the latest industry news or random rants, but these types of posts have a short shelf life. You’ll see a spike in traffic when you post them, but once the novelty wears off, they will quickly disappear from search engines. Instead, focus on writing in-depth and useful blog posts about topics that are relevant to your target audience’s needs for a long time, such as how-to blog posts or product reviews.

Include a call to action in your blog posts. A call to action can be a powerful tool to drive traffic and sales. It tells your readers exactly what you want them to do — whether it’s click a link, subscribe to your newsletter or buy something. It’s important to have a clear call to action in your posts so they don’t confuse readers and send them on a wild goose chase.

Comment on other blogs. Writing interesting and helpful comments on other bloggers’ posts will increase your own readership, because people will want to learn more about the writer who left such an irresistible comment. When you leave a comment, make sure to include a link to your own blog in your bio so readers can follow the trail back to your site.

Use a high-speed host. It’s not worth losing potential readers because your site is too slow to load. Studies show that a one-second delay in page load times results in a 16% decrease in conversions and a 7% loss in customer satisfaction.

Don’t spam. Spam bots can hurt your search engine rankings and drive away the real human readers you’re trying to reach. Be genuine and thoughtful in your approach, and you’ll have loyal followers who will keep coming back to your site.

Understand that it takes time. Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. Many of the most successful blogs have built a large following over years. Be patient and stick with it, and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

There’s a lot of competition out there for online readers, but with the right tactics, you can get your blog in front of more people and start growing a dedicated audience.