Need help on this. Thanks.

[celine]

Hi, what are the impacts and effectiveness of using a blog in business? Is it getting popular in the society? What are the advantages and disadvantages of blogging in business?

[daniell]

Well, since there are approx. 120,000 blogs being started everyday and more people are continually finding that they can market their personal brand or businesses exclusively through blogging, thereby saving thousands of dollars on traditional marketing costs- I would say that pretty much answers your question.

[Granny]

A blog is great for business if a company develops a proper blog. Especially a niche blog.

However, there seems to be a corporate trend where the unknowing say, "lets through up one of those blogs that everyone is talking about".

There is always a good and profitable following for good blogs. A non-quality blog is probably a waste of time.

[Evan]

I don't think blogging is about selling or even much about marketing.

The distinctive about blogs is that they allow comments. It allows a business to develop a relationship with customers. My guess is that this means they are better suited to service and professional businesses or businesses selling high priced items (cars, houses, luxury goods). I couldn't see any point in a supermarket putting up a blog (unless they were going to develop a genuine local identity perhaps).

To develop a relationship with customers the blog would have to offer something of benefit to its readers. Stuff just about the business probably isn't what people are looking for. Providing useful information in the niche is what will probably be needed. In this way the business can develop a profile as 'the place to go' for information about a particular topic. This will require time.

Blogs are new - there isn't much information on their impact or usefulness. There are lots of people saying they know but I doubt them frankly. The research just hasn't been done yet. My guess is that the best way is to look at similar businesses in or outside your market and copy the best.

Web sites are a whole 'nother story. But it was blogs you asked about.

Hope this makes sense and is useful.