A question for those with business blogs

[funkydorydawn]

Since I started doing my business blog a few weeks ago, business has really taken off :clapping:

I have no idea whether the 2 things are linked in anyway - it could be pure coincidence, and word spreading around.....but you never know.

Has anybody else found an increase in traffic and sales since they started a blog? Or is it me reading more into it than there is...?

dawn
xx

[MrTempleDene]

Where is your blog Dawn, had a quick scan through your web site and couldn't see it?

Or am I being thick?

[Bunny]

I couldn't find it either :(

[funkydorydawn]

Well that scuppers that theory then! :hysterica .

There will be a link on the home page when it is revamped - but for now it is on the shop page - here's the link:

http://funkydorypartybags.blogspot.com/

dawn
xx

[MrTempleDene]

You need to look at your referal stats to see if people are coming from the blog to the site, doesn't matter if people can't find a blog link on your site, as they are already where you want them, in the shop! It would be nice though.

Great blog BTW, lots of useful tips.

[Lemon]

Ummm ... can you tell me what's a blog and how do I get one ? Thanks x

[MrTempleDene]

Hi Lemon, a Blog is really just an on-line diary, journal type thing.

I use blogger (http://www.blogger.com) same as Dawn. There are plenty of others out there though.

Mine is a personal one though, not a business one.

[Lemon]

Does it help your site then if you create one ? I suppose it could bring more traffic. Mmmm ... think I will have a little think about this. Thanks N_H. What sort of thing would you write as a business one ? New Stock, Prices etc ?

[MrTempleDene]

Does it help your site then if you create one ? I suppose it could bring more traffic. Mmmm ... think I will have a little think about this. Thanks N_H. What sort of thing would you write as a business one ? New Stock, Prices etc ?

I think for you yes, and comment on things you are thinking of stocking, see if you get much feedback. Blog about stock coming in before you get it to build a little anticipation etc. Do product reviews maybe, that sort of thing.

[Netty]

Do you still have the link to that course about the blogs?

[Netty]

S'ok - found it ...

this one - http://www.betterbusinessblogging.com/

[funkydorydawn]

Does it help your site then if you create one ? I suppose it could bring more traffic. Mmmm ... think I will have a little think about this. Thanks N_H. What sort of thing would you write as a business one ? New Stock, Prices etc ?

You can use it as a kind of companion to the site - further information about yourself if you think it's appropriate, and about the business and products.

You could write relevant articles....promote new lines etc etc.

They're amazingly easy to do :party05:

dawn
xx

[Lemon]

Thanks FDD, have looked at some of the others you ladies have done and they do look really good. Think I will have a go !

[Lemon]

Do you put a link on your site to the Blog ? Just had a look at yours and couldn't see it.

[littlesheep]

Do you put a link on your site to the Blog ? Just had a look at yours and couldn't see it.

I was advised to use links in the text so everytime you mention your site, or products set them as links iyswim, that way search engines will find your site too :unsure: not sure how correct that all is but hey it's worth a try!

Not sure if you've seen mine - http://littlesheep-learning.blogspot.com/ I need to do some tweaking of the most recent post (ie add pictures) but it was getting late "Doh"

Love Elaine

[funkydorydawn]

Do you put a link on your site to the Blog ? Just had a look at yours and couldn't see it.

Yes there is a link but it's a bit obscure at the moment - it's on the front page of the shop.

The site will be upgraded soon and when it is the link will be on the front page :happy72:

dawn
xx

[Lemon]

Thanks for your help Dawn, it has gone on my "To Do" list which is pretty long at the moment !

[littlesheep]

Thanks for your help Dawn, it has gone on my "To Do" list which is pretty long at the moment !


Oops I read that wrong didn't I - yes I link my blog from my site on my news page!

But my site is heavily linked from my blog!

Love Elaine

[MrTempleDene]

But my site is heavily linked from my blog!

It's that bit that matters, as I said before.

People on your site are where you want them, the key is to drive people who find you blog to go to your site.

One thing that's time consuming but maybe helpful is comment on other peoples blogs, don't spam them, make sure your comments fit the post you're commenting on, but make sure your site/blog are filled in in the link part of the comment form!

I've accidentally gained a few readers of my blog simply by commenting on other blogs, didn't even mean it to happen! was genuinley commenting about what they'd written, and that's a personal blog.

Be careful though, most people can can spot blog comment spam a mile off.

[willowcat]

Since I started doing my business blog a few weeks ago, business has really taken off :clapping:

I have no idea whether the 2 things are linked in anyway - it could be pure coincidence, and word spreading around.....but you never know.

Has anybody else found an increase in traffic and sales since they started a blog? Or is it me reading more into it than there is...?

dawn
xx
Hi Dawn,
I have a business blog .. You will find it on the top of my home page .
I don't know about more actual sales but I have definitley noticed and increase in traffic.

I was told the idea was to try and create as many two way links to and from the main site as poss.It is all very techie but I just think of it more as a journal about what is happening with new stock and promos.

I get quite alot of people reading it but no comments added so far.Feel free anyone ! Keep them clean !!

Sharon

Gorgeous and unusual gifts for You,Your Loved Ones and Your Home

www.boutiquetoyou.co.uk

[MrTempleDene]

I'm sorry Sharon, your site still won't load for me at all!

Server side problem I think?

[Chell]

I have just started a blog tonight but some parts of Blogger.com seem to be down so I'll have to finish it tomorrow. I've just been searching for threads on here about blogging as I wasn't sure why it was good to have one but remembered reading that it was!

[sadierhianne]

I have been looking at a blog and a forum - i want to add recipes to my site but can't due to insurance costs - a forum linked to the site would be different though - other people can add recipes and chat in general about green issues.

I got an email this am from some business thing that i joined - don't understand most of it but that's me for you - t did say though that having a blog is a sure way of getting traffic to your site - i am just unsure about having a blog for my site, i'd not want to call it a blog for a start.

Anyway it didn't mention that having a forum on your site would bring in extra traffic.

I have had loads and loads of trafic this month - twice as much per day that the same days last month BUT sales have not increased any - anyway traffic has doubled and i don't have a blog or a forum yet so it could be that it is this time of year that get's everyone looking out for gifts and stuff rather than the blog but then again it could be the blog - whichever way, i am glad that things are getting better on your site:-)

Where do people find blogs if they haven't found them on your website? I have only seen a few blogs, one came to me in a link in my stats so i had a nosey and others i have seen in signatures but i have never found one in a search engine. |It's not something that i'd search for though. I add my signature in forums anyway so people can link straight to me - do i really need a blog as well and if so, where will people find it? That is without me leaving it all over the place.

Thanks

Anne xxx

[obscure]

I dont think a forum would help many websites - generally they have 1 post a month or something and just look like dead space - can put people off if they are not actively used.

Blogs on the other hand tend to be updated by yourself on a daily / weekly basis with a few comments from others so are much easier to maintain :)

Sadie

[sadierhianne]

I think that i could generate quite a lot of chatters onto a forum - i am looking into a blog too - i think that i have to try both to be honest and see how it goes - i'd definately ditch it if it looked like a dead space - i don't want one of those.

I joined a forum with just 30 other members - there were only 20 of us to start and it has taken off really well and is extremely full - it doesn't accept many new members 'cause it's quite private but still very very busy.

Could i just add a new page to my websie and call it a blog?

Thanks

Anne x

[Chell]

With a forum surely it depends what you sell? I think it would be quite useful on mine. It would allow me to offer more information/advice for potential customers and for customers to post their proud Mummy moments when their child signs for the first time. This may encourage people who are cynical to buy the products.

Likewise with Annes site, many of her products would sell better if people had more ideas what to use them for. A forum would allow recipes etc to be posted.

[sadierhianne]

That would be the sole purpose for mine i think and to also dicuss other environmental issues - when i first started to turn green i had so many questions that i couldn't find the answers to - i only found them on one forum, there are loads now but very few that offer the answers that i was given - i'm not keen to be discussing particular products and stuff or even really using a forum to promote my site - originally i wanted my website to be a very relaxed chatty place but it couldn't be like i wanted it to be - a forum would address all of the stuff that i want to address - and would also be a nice chatty place ;-)

[obscure]

yeah I guess if you have a unique market and there is nothing out there at the moment then it would be a very useful addition - you do need lots of time to put into them (where most fall by the wayside), particularly when they are just starting as you really need to get a good number of people to register and contribute so new visitors see an active community (even if there are only a few people regularly posting it gives a good feel to it).

:) sadie

[sadierhianne]

Thanks Sadie - i pretty much have mine planned already - my product isn't unique and there's a lot of related forums about now but i do thin that there's a lot more people needing to learn - well i know there is 'cause i get loads and loads of emails from people asking this and that - well not loads and loads but enough - if i had a forum i could address those questions on there and then everyone would benefit from the answers.

I'd get my customers to join ;-)

Anne x

I think this forum is very busy but there aren't hundreds and hundreds of us chatting on it but then there isn't another forum quite like this one.

I think that it's something that i want to do rather than thinking that it might help business along - i'd like to think that it might though.

[sadierhianne]

oooops

[Chell]

On Blogspot does anyone know how I delete a post? I have managed to delete the content but its left the bit that says I posted today.

Edit: I found it.

I was tryimg to add my banner but can't work out how to. I don;t want it in a ppost, I would rather it was to the top or side of my blog.

[trogette]

that would be in your template :)

[magsite]

I've just created this post http://www.mumszone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=254966#post254966

Let swap articles/blog links. This may help our search engine positions over time

[Trinity]

I have thought about starting a blog but just never got round to it but I think I will try and find the time!

btw I have just joined the working mothers forum, do you run that Dawn?

[Trinity]

Ok, made a start on my blog - http://trinity-jewellery.blogspot.com/

I am trying to add my website to the Links but it doesn't seem to be working.

I have searched down the list on the template but can't seem to find what I am looking for.

[Al1x]

I keep meaning to start a business blog.. just don't seem to have the time just yet!

[Chell]

If you upgrade to the Beta Blogger it is easier to make changes. All you need is to set up a Google account if you don't have one.

[Chell]

Mine is here:
http://chelltune.blogspot.com/

[Chell]

I keep meaning to start a business blog.. just don't seem to have the time just yet!

I just copied some bits over from my site to get it started, it took very little time.

I read that www.blogger.com (http://www.blogger.com) is good for SEO as its Googles own site.