Setting up and maintaining a web site is now standard practice for small to mid-sized businesses looking to establish their online presence and increase sales. However, as content generation and management began to take on a life of it's own, businesses had to adopt for efficient online communications.
Enter blogging; a cheap yet more effective way of communicating with customers and getting new business. A cross between a newsletter and a press conference, a blog is essentially an online content management system that provides relevant news and information using a streamlined publishing process.
Not only that; blogs are also a great way of linking your customers to other relevant sites including other areas of your primary business. Blogs are versatile — news, views, and fresh content can be accompanied by videos, audio clips and photographs. And for the business owner who is constantly on the go, blogs can be updated anytime and anywhere.
No need to wait for the tech guy to update or add content.
Blogs, in essence, represent an opportunity to reach out to local as well as global customers any time. For customers, blogs represent an excellent platform for researching the latest product offerings as well as to voice concerns about a product they've already bought.
To help you get started on your blogging, follow the below dos and don'ts:
Do visit other relevant blogs and make a list of the features you like and dislike. This will help you get a better picture about what you are doing right or wrong with your blog.
Do establish good, solid RSS feeds for newsreader syndication.
Don't restrict your blog to pricing only. This is a blog not a catalog. Customers come to visit a blog to read interesting information and latest news about the product or service you are offering. Keep your pricing on your website unless you're offering a special.
Do get a catchy URL that is relevant to your blog and your website. Don't confuse your visitors. Make it easy to remember you.
Do take the time to learn about blogging or hire a professional. It's a small price to pay for a blog that's compliant, catchy, and fun.
Don’t clutter your blog with ads — especially pop-ups. You will annoy most readers and lose many others. Keep only what you think your customers will be interested in.
Don't use animations or anything else that will distract your readers. Keep your blog simple and user-friendly.
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