Latest News or Blog Question?

[Styles UK]

I currently have a latest news secton:

Do you think it would benefit me to have a blog instead?

Regards.

[bluedreamer]

Why not? You don't have to call it a "blog" but using a blogging system to offer an extra channel to communicate with your customers can be a good thing to supplement your marketing efforts.

[newsvend]

I agree, it is just a naming issue really. A couple of things a blog application does automatically (though there are ways to accomplish without a blogging service/application) is [1] 'ping' or alert blog directory services that you have made a new post; and [2] offer a communication channel via comments.

We have many clients that have both 'news' and 'blog' - with news being customised industry news, keyword-loaded for SEO, and blog being product/service announcements direct from the client.

[tomsk]

Just my 2 cents but I think that some customers who are loyal to a brand almost expect a blog.

I think a blog done well is slightly cleaner.

[Styles UK]

Do you think then that i should have a latest news and a blog or one or the other?
Also if i go with a blog any suggestions for what to use?

Regards and thanks.
Andy.

[sasalestraining]

I recommend using Wordpress which is hosted on your server. You can get a designer to modify the theme to make it look like your website.

Wordpress is a very powerful blogging platform and you can make wordpress sites look like a normal website and then have the blog or news section as part of the website.

There are other platforms out there are so many plugins and themes available for wordpress.

[ComputerCoders]

A lot of people get a blog then wonder what to do with it. Or they use it for the first few weeks then stop completely. The whole purpose is to provide visitors with something to return for i.e. to become repeat visitors.

For example, if you have a bed company which sells beds and mattresses then I want to hear to latest industry news straight from the horse's mouth about the latest mattresses.

I am a specialist in my area of expertise and I don't have the time to keep up to date with your industry too so I expect you to do that. I am more likely to buy something from someone who shows that they are up-to-date and a fresh website gives a good impression of your business. If your website is updated frequently I somehow think that my items will arrive on time and you'll answer my queries more quickly.