Business Blogging, Part 3

This week, I’ve been posting about how blogging can contribute to a small business’ success.  If you haven’t read my posts on Tuesday and Wednesday about what Denise Wakeman and Rich Brooks had to say at the Blog World Expo on this topic, you should.

Today, I’d like to highlight some suggestions from John Unger on blog usability.  John has five tips to enhance blog usability.

1. Make it easy for people to find exactly what they’re looking for.
2. Optimize the speed of your blog.
3. Consider your readers’ needs first.  Learn where your needs and theirs overlap.  Focus on those areas.
4. Make yourself accessible and easy to reach.
5. Figure out the simplest way to present your content – and yourself – in an organized and easily understood way.

I like all five of John’s suggestions, but I really like number 1.  Your blog should be easy to navigate.  If it isn’t people won’t stay very long or come back.  Here are John’s tips for clear and easy blog navigation.

• Create a navigation menu at the top of every page that points to the most important areas of your blog.  If you need more than seven links, use a drop down menu, breaking your content into categories.
• Place the RSS subscription button near the top of the sidebar.  This will encourage return readers who are the most valuable asset your blog builds.
• Place a call to action above the fold (visible without scrolling down) and provide a link to more information and the option to buy or subscribe now.
• Place your search field and links categories above the fold in a place where they are easily seen.
• Keep choices to a minimum.  The more things from which your readers have to choose, the more likely it is that the choices become overwhelming and people will look elsewhere.

Over the past three days, I’ve shared information on small business blogging that I picked up at the BlogWorld Expo in early November.  If you want to learn more, I suggest you go to the websites of the three people whose ideas I have shared.

Denise Wakeman: www.BlogSquad.biz
Rich Brooks: www.flyte.biz, http://business.mainetoday.com/smallbusiness/internetmarketing/
John Unger: www.johnunger.com; www.TypePadHacks.org

The common sense point here is simple.  Blogging is a great way to build strong relationships with your customers.  Customers are an important outstide constituency.  The stronger your relationships with them, the better your business.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

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