How Much Does Blog Writing Cost for a Small Business (and Is It Still Worth It)?
"Does anyone still read blogs?" It is a fair question, and the honest answer is yes. Google reads them, and so do the AI tools your customers now use to search. Phoenix Athena Ltd is a Harlow based digital marketing business working with small businesses across Essex and the UK, and blog writing is part of what we do every month.
This post covers what a blog does for a small business, what blog writing really costs, whether it is still worth it with AI search, the difference between blog writing and copywriting, and how often you should post.
What does a blog actually do for a small business?
A blog is not an online diary. It is a set of clear answers to the questions your customers type into Google. Done well, it does four jobs for you:
Brings in search traffic from people asking the questions your customers ask
Gives Google and AI tools like AI Overviews, ChatGPT and Perplexity something to quote
Builds trust before anyone picks up the phone
Gives you content to share on LinkedIn, Facebook and your Google Business Profile
Every good post is a salesperson that works 24 hours a day.
How much does blog writing cost in the UK?
Blog writers charge in three main ways: per word, per post, or as a monthly content retainer. These are typical UK market rates for standalone blog writing, so you have something to compare against:
Per word: roughly £0.08 to £0.50
Per 1,000 word post: roughly £80 to £400
Monthly blog retainer (around 4 posts plus strategy): roughly £600 to £1,500 from a freelancer, and more from an agency
Those are standalone rates, given for context. Phoenix Athena does not sell blog writing on its own. We build blogs into a monthly package alongside your social media, copywriting and SEO, so every post gets shared, linked and put to work. Packages start from £1,500 a month, with a fuller package from £2,000 a month.
Is blogging still worth it with AI search?
Yes, but only if the post actually answers a question clearly. AI Overviews and chatbots pull from well structured pages, and thin, generic posts get skipped. A post is easy for AI tools to quote when it has:
Headings written like the questions people ask
A direct answer in the first line under each heading
An FAQ at the end
Your business name and location mentioned naturally
Blogging has not died. Lazy blogging has.
What is the difference between blog writing and copywriting?
Copywriting is writing that persuades someone to act, like your website pages, service descriptions and ads. Blog writing is writing that answers questions, so people find you in search and start to trust you.
Copywriting sells. It lives on your key pages and ads, and the goal is an enquiry.
Blog writing informs. It lives on your blog, and the goal is search traffic and trust.
They work as a pair. The blog brings people in, and the copy turns them into customers.
If you want the copywriting side in detail, read our guide on how much copywriting costs for a small business.
Should you write your own blog or hire a writer?
Writing it yourself costs nothing but your time, usually 3 to 5 hours per post. The research behind each post often takes longer. The catch is that search results are hit and miss, and the blog tends to stop the moment you get busy. Working with a blog writer means it is handed off, planned around keywords, steady every month and structured so AI tools can quote it.
The biggest cost of writing it yourself is the blog that goes quiet for six months. Once a blog is running, it is also worth asking whether Google Ads are worth it for small businesses in Essex to get it in front of more people.
How often should a small business post a blog?
Consistency beats volume. One or two good posts a month beats eight rushed ones. A few simple rules:
Fortnightly is realistic for most small businesses
Each post should target one clear question
Update older posts rather than always writing new ones
Share every post on LinkedIn and your Google Business Profile
This is exactly the rhythm Phoenix Athena runs for its own blog. If you would rather hand the sharing over too, here is what social media management costs for a small business.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a blog post cost in the UK?
Most freelance writers charge roughly £80 to £400 for a 1,000 word post, depending on research and experience. Phoenix Athena Ltd includes blog writing in a monthly marketing package rather than charging per post.
Is blogging still worth it for small businesses in 2026?
Yes, if your posts clearly answer the questions your customers search for. Google and AI tools like ChatGPT pull answers from well structured blogs, so a good post can bring in enquiries for years.
How often should a small business blog?
Twice a month is a realistic target for most small businesses. Consistency matters more than volume.
Do you offer blog writing on its own?
No. Phoenix Athena bundles blog writing with social media, copywriting and SEO into one monthly package, so every post gets shared and works harder.
Want your blog working for you?
Phoenix Athena Ltd works with small businesses around Harlow, Essex and Hertfordshire, and remotely across the UK. If your blog has gone quiet, or never started, get in touch at phoenixathena.co.uk and let's get it working for you.