subject: Creating a Blog - Drive Traffic to Your Website [print this page] Creating a Blog - Drive Traffic to Your Website
Creating your own blog is an incredible way to drive traffic to your website. Your blog can be used to promote you, your product and your business. Having your own blog is a great source of home business advertising.
A blog is where you can provide value to your visitors. It is a place where you can chat about your business. You can discuss any little problems you have encountered either with your business, the internet or any part of running your business that you feel may have relevance or help visitors who may be experiencing the same problems or help them to avoid the problems you may be experiencing.
Blogging is one way to start building relationships with prospective customers and business partners. Invite people to comment and ask questions. This is a place for people to get to know who you are and what you do.
You will want to let people know you have value to offer. One way you can reach people is by visiting other people's blogs and start making valuable comments. When you start offering valuable comments and information, people will want to see what you have to offer. When you make comments, leave a link to your blog. By doing this you can send people to your blog and they will see you provide good content for them to read will get them interested in what you do which in turn will create good quality leads for you. This will show you are a leader and that you have a lot of value to offer.
Joining forums on the internet and making valuable comments will also show people who you are and again, by providing your link will draw traffic back to you. All of this will help you build relationships and attract customers.
Blogging tools
There are a lot of websites on the internet that will teach you how to set up a free blog. The down side of having a free blog is that you are not in control; you do not own your own site. You are not able to extend the functionality of your blog with plugins. You are not able to brand yourself because your domain name is part of their domain name.
Wordpress is a free, web-based software program that anyone can use to build and maintain a website or blog. It is one of the most frequently used software programs available. Wordpress has designs and layouts available to choose from when creating your blog.
You will want to buy a domain name. Having your own domain name is essential when you are trying to brand yourself and prove credibility and leadership. There is a small fee for this. There are several companies that you can search for domain names and purchase them through. The most popular is GoDaddy. When choosing a domain name, keep it short. Make it simple and easy to type and remember. Pick a descriptive name so people will know exactly what your company is about.
You will need a hosting site. Again, there are many to choose from. Hostgator is best for small and medium sized businesses that have more complex needs and require a dedicated hosting plan.
You will need to put in time and effort to make your blog work. You will need to be consistent in posting to your blog. Consistency is the key to success.
