Blogging for business?

[YMW]

Does anyone keep a blog for their business and if so, does it help your business?
Any advice from the web people eg SEO, tips, warnings, advice etc
I have read that wordpress is good?

I am considering it for my new business but I am not sure if it will be worth it. The business isn't really bloggable as such but I thought of one that comments on celebrity news and pop culture (as this provides alot of inspiration for our business and I am always up to date with current affairs for business purposes ;)

Many thanks
XX

[Ian J]

I'm playing with blogging at the moment to see if it's of any benefit. I haven't seen any benefits yet but that's hardly surprising as it's only been live less than a week.

If anyone wants to have a look at http://factoringsolutions.blogspot.com/ and tell me if I'm doing any obviously wrong - it may help YMW too

[c2webdesign]

IMO Blogs are useful for two reasons:

1. Adding new pages and content to your website on a regular basis is good for SEO

2. A blog can give a good personal impression to a website. Does make the visitor believe there is someone behind the machine - even if your clients/customers are usually once only visitors

I don't run a blog per se (well not on the C2 Web Design site) but I do post articles on SEO to the site http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk/seoarticles1.php and my stats do show many people do read through these before contacting us.

[nick72]

hey, if you're not sure it's for you I suggest a couple of books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0072262516/qid%3D1141246721/203-3444414-6451905

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/047174719X/qid%3D1141246740/203-3444414-6451905

I've seen great returns from blogging (not all financial), but I have put quite a bit of time into it. If you're willing to commit the time and buy into the whole ethos, then you'll gain great things. It's definitely a long term project though, don't expect amazing returns in weeks!

Hope this helps
Nick

[Dawg]

I run my blog, www.dawgsbix.blogspot.com for fun, but quite a few of my customers like it, and it helps me push the 'fun' side of my product.
What is more successful for me, at the moment, is blog advertising, which is cheap, (again at the moment), and is working,blah blah ..at the moment. And you can target very closely.

[click2britain]

Hi,

How serious are you about blogging? How about having a personal number plate? Are you fancy one??

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6609254112

Good luck to that lucky BL06GER !:)

[YMW]

Thanks for the replies. It is interesting what you say Nick about the whole ethos as it seems to be to be a whole new world lol

I am trying to weigh up the pros and cons, so far it seems it could be a lot of work (and fun imo ;)) and my partner thinks my time would be better spent in another way!

Thanks again for all your input!

[fridayteam]

I structure my content within blogs and in terms of SEO, they are invaluable.

If you can find a way to use them and incorporate them in your daily web promotional work, then you will see an increase in visitors to your site(s).

Highly recommended and WordPress (IMHO) is the best!

Do not expect instant results, but as a long term marketing strategy on the net, JUST DO IT AND SEE!

[clairemackaness]

I have a blog on my site, which I do myself and it ranks as one of the most visited pages on my site.