Where do I create my blog... existing or new site

[mjmcmahon]

Hi Yaro,

I recently watched your 25 minute introductory video on how to generate sales leads for an online business through blogging and I thought it was great. I've got a small web design business which I've run for the last 5 years (in addition to doing other work) but I'd like to focus a bit more on what I can do for my private clients.

I've been thinking about putting up a blog that provides useful info for clients and the general public (et al) on all sorts of web design / related stuff but I'm not sure where I should put this blog! Do I attach it to my existing website i.e. CYBERDO :: welcome to our homepage or do I put it on another URL and just link to my business website from it. I guess some pro's and cons for each would be that initially attaching it to my business website might mean that the blog site doesn't look so empty, but on the other hand, once the blog gets rolling it could really operate independently of my business in a way.

Look forward to your input on this!


Mike

[Yaro]

Hi Mike,

In most cases for a small business looking to use a blog as a lead generator I would add it to the small business homepage at /blog or similar. By doing this as you build incoming links to your blog you are raising the overall authority of your site, helping your sales pages rank better as well.

Putting a blog on an already aged domain name means your blog will avoid any sandbox effect too.

Taking the standalone way you don't get quite as much SEO benefit and the message can be confusing.

Then again if you want the blog to not necessarily be so focused on lead generation for a business, creating a new identity is the better way to go, but definitely harder work - you are starting a brand new site from scratch.

If you have never blogged before then I'd suggest adding it to your main site because you have a clear purpose for blogging and you can test out your motivation. If you find your writing to the blog takes you away from topics related to your business then you can simply move the blog to it's own home.

I hope that helps!

Yaro