Blogs top my list of great website ideas over the last several years.
While many people use blogs as a way to update family members and friends on general life events, businesses can utilize this media to reach their audience uninterrupted.
Businesses shy away from blogs for many reasons including a fear of having to update regularly and a dislike for writing long articles.
But much like a well place news release, blogs allow businesses to share information about their products and services in a cost effective manner.
Before committing to hosting a blog on your site, however, take a few minutes to observe a few simple rules.
1.
Never write anything you wouldn't say on a billboard or national television.
The Internet is known as the World Wide Web for a reason.
If you don't want the world to know where you go to market or what you are bringing home, don't write about it.
If your clients don't want to be mentioned by name, respect their wishes.
Be careful and considerate about what you actually write because once it's out there you can't get it back.
2.
Be relevant and useful.
Blogs can be used to give instructions on using your products more effectively, referring readers to interesting articles you've read (don't post the whole article just a link to it) or updating them on new products, services or specials.
3.
Keep it short, simple and consistent.
Stick to one idea per blog post and post at least twice a week.
A few sentences to a few paragraphs is sufficient.
Most people don't like to scroll so if your entire post will display on the screen at once you are hitting the mark on space.
4.
Proofread and then have someone else proofread.
You want to make sure to catch grammatical errors as well as any wording that doesn't read as you intended it.
Skip sarcasm since not everyone who reads your blog will take it the same way.
By having someone else read your entries you make sure the reader gets the intent of your post.
If you have to explain it, re-write it.
5.
Build a following.
Let your customers know about your website and your blog.
You can include a link to a post in your e-mail newsletter or offer special incentives to readers who respond.
By posting consistently with relevant information, people will want to check back often and you'll create a following of customers within your target market.
If you want to host a blog but are still a bit uncertain, consider hiring a freelance writer to write the articles for you.
You provide the basic information while the writer turns the content into something people really want to read.