Why Every Business Owner Should Have a Blog

The idea of business blogging has been around for quite some time now.  I'm totally convinced that every business owner can benefit from having their own blog and that such a site can become more valuable than the typical "online brochure" type website used by most businesses.  Here are just a few of reasons why…

Blogs are Easy to Setup

Blogs are probably the easiest type of website to setup, making them perfect for the novice webmaster or busy business owner who doesn't have time to learn all the "web geek" stuff.  I would suggest having your own domain name (rather than hosting your site on Wordpress or Blogger) and getting an inexpensive web hosting account.  The good news is that domains and web hosting are CHEAP and just about any web hosting service worth paying for will offer "Fantastico" which allows you to 1-click install a wide range of programs, including my favorite blogging software, Wordpress.  Starting from scratch, you can register a good domain name, sign up for hosting and have a basic blog installed and ready to go in about a day, and most of that is waiting for the information on your new domain to make its way around the Internet so your site can be found.

Blogs are Easy to Manage

One thing you don't want to do as a business owner is add additional complexity to what you already have going on.  That's one of the reasons I prefer Wordpress - because it's easy to manage.  In fact, if you can type up something in a word processor, you can run a Wordpress site.  And once you get the hang of it, you'll pick up some additional tips and tricks along the way that make it even easier.

Blogs Help You Build and Maintain Contact With Your List

No matter what business you're in, one of the primary goals for your business should be building and maintaining a list.  That means being able to keep in contact with interested prospects, existing customers or others who are potential customers.  This is extremely easy to do online, especially if you have a blog.  With features like RSS or by building a list of email subscribers, you can provide useful information to your website visitors and continue to build a relationship with them even after they leave your site.  Since most visitors will likely visit your site and then leave without returning, this is an important method for increasing repeat visits to your site.

Blogs Can Help You Establish Your Expertise

Being viewed as the expert in your field has obvious benefits for any business owner, regardless of what your core business is.  But you don't have to be on TV, radio or have a best-selling book to establish yourself as an expert (though those things would certainly help).  By simply providing good, quality information that your prospective customers, existing customers and other website visitors can use, you'll automatically put yourself in the position of "expert". 

For instance, say you're interested in buying or selling a house.  You search online and find several real estate websites.  Most look exactly the same - search for properties, get a free market analysis or buyer's analysis, etc.  But one site features a local REALTOR with month's worth of articles and posts on the changing market, why prices are changing, how to determine if it's a good time to buy or sell, a free report for buyers on how to find the perfect home, a free report for sellers on how to sell for top dollar fast, etc.  On this site, you almost get to know this agent - his/her personality, their area of expertise (specific types of properties or specific areas of town) and other great information that leaves you completely HOOKED!

This is just one example of how a business blog can help you establish a better relationship with your market.  And the best part is that it's not something you have to do everyday.  With only a few quality posts per week, you can turn your new blog site into your most effective marketing tool.

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