There’s a shop, which has opened recently, very near to where I live. I pass it every day during my walks and not once have I seen a customer in there.  Not once!

The shop in question is a clothes hire shop. You can hire ball-gowns, dinner suits, kilts, wedding dresses…that sort of thing.

I think they are in the wrong location but they need to start marketing and I think blogging would be a great way to start. They have a website. The domain name is underneath the shop front logo.

I looked at the website today. They’ve signed up with one of these companies that offer web design and complete everything for you. I’ve talked about these companies before – see my rant by clicking on this link: Get yourself a FREE website

I don’t like these companies! I’ve had many clients who wish they never signed up with such companies. They tie you in and grab as much money from you as they can.

Anyhow…rant over…back to having a blog if you are a business.

Blogs are now recognized as very affordable marketing tools, especially for businesses. Apart from monetizing the blog with advertisements, there are several other ways in which your blog can help in increasing your businesses income, creating more opportunities and generating more customers.

Advantages of blogging for your business.

If you still have not started a blog for your business, then here are some of the reasons why you should do that quickly:

Blogs are simple to use and gets your business in front of customers and leaders in your industry, from all over the world.

There is almost no limit to what you can add to your business blog. You can publish photos and videos of your service, customers’ testimonials, advice, instructions. Imagine if the clothes hire shop had photos of happy customers in their hired clothes and customers testimonials. That would really help the marketing.

You reputation as an industry expert can grow by giving free tips, advice and other relevant information. The readers can learn from your tips and apply them to their own businesses. In this way, you establish yourself in the industry as a market guru.

A blog will be a great addition to your business website, especially if it becomes successful at providing information about your company news, new services, events, special discounts and partnerships. Your blog is an extension of your existing website.

Your blog can also be used as a support site to your clients. You may create a helpdesk system allow customers to send in a support ticket through your blog so that your clients get whatever answers they need quickly.

When good content is posted on your blog regularly, you build a community of loyal readers who know what your services are and how good you are in the industry. These readers will provide leads and referrals, thus increasing your business.

You could add a forum whereby customers can discuss points and help each other. You would be building your own customer community.

If you are a small business, for under $100 you could have your own line presence with a blog.

Anyone seen small businesses make blogging work? Share your views in the comments below.

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Post from: Blogging Guide

How is blogging good for a business?