Here are just a few reasons why your main business blog should absolutely not be on blogger.com or really any of the free blog sites.
Occationally I talk to progressive companies that have taken the leap into social media and have implemented full social communities with lots of features that enable users to interact on the site, but when I look at their site I discover a propriatry custom scripted website.
In most cases this is a GIANT Mistake.
The answer most web designers will give without even a hint of thought is 1024 X 768. While on the surface that may seem like logical choice since according to most website’s analytics, it’s the resolution group with the highest amount of visitors.
Recently I’ve read about otherwise sane Internet Marketers (also called SEO’s) targeting Digg comments at an attempt to direct traffic to a particular website. The first thing that came to mind was that running a campaign specifically to garner traffic from the comments of a techie social media site is probably not going to have a great ROI. I may be wrong, depending on your target market, but nonetheless blog posts abound SEO’s spending lots of time on ineffective strategies abound.
This week I had the joy of looking for a blogger to write a weekly column for a social media site centered around movies, filmmaking and pop culture that I’ll be launching next month. In my ad I explained my goals, gave my bio, pointed to this blog and asked to see a writing sample.
Online marketing is as much about knowing where the web is going, as it is about understanding the current snapshot of how things work now. Early adapters to technology and those that embrace trends will reap huge rewards.
Simple feed is an RSS publishing company that provides RSS services and syndication to large companies like DMC and Procter & Gamble. Their representative talks about where he sees the company headed and what he thinks about the future of social media.
Omniture provides a web analytics platform that allows companies to track all their online stats, from SEO campaigns to PPC advertising. Their major tool is called “Site Catalyst,” a tool that lets users track their business more effectively.
Quigo Technologies provides content-targeted ad services and search engine marketing solutions. Israel interviewed Tom (of Quigo) about the features and benefits of their adsonar and feedpoint services.
Make sure a new visitor can discern the who, what, where and why of your blog within three seconds
Write original content
Make your posts scan-able
Use pictures and other visual content
Use a custom theme
Have easy and multiple subscribe options
Include blog author information
Don’t use too many categories