Computer and Web Articles

I’d wager that a solid 60% of new clients that approach us here at timeforcake (remember: we don’t fix computers; we’re a web design and development company) walk in thinking that they definitely want a blog in their new website. Problem is, when we ask why they’d like a blog, the new client often raises her eyebrows and shrugs or gives a reply along the lines of “Well, that’s what XYZ company is doing,” or “Don’t you need to have one of those in your site these days?”

Integrating a blog into your website without knowing why you’re doing so–without having a plan or strategy detailing how the blog will help your business reach its goals–is a surefire recipe for a whole lotta nothing. There’s a horrifying glut of abandoned blogs around the Internet. Over the past decade, I’d estimate we’ve seen 85% - 90% of these enthusiastic companies drop their blogs. Within the first four months.

Why? Because blogs simply aren’t for everyone. Keeping a truly effective blogs is not easy.

Blogs are not magic. They take time, effort, love, maintenance, and strategy. If your site has a blog, you *must* have a strategy; you must know why your site has a blog, what you’re going to do with the blog, and what you’re hoping to achieve with the blog.  How else will you measure its success (or lack thereof) over time? How will you know if you need to change tactics, keep moving forward, or scrap the blog altogether?

Confused? I’ve got a suggestion that might help: I recommend reading social media expert Mack Collier’s excellent article, Ten Questions Your Company Should Ask Before it Starts Blogging, which can be found right here: http://tinyurl.com/ycy6d9d.