A large percentage of small businesses are using blogs today. In a report by Awareness, “74% of businesses with fewer than 500 employees use Web 2.0 technologies. Blogs are the most-used technology, being employed by 87% of respondents." They use their blog for real marketing or business purposes, for example to inform visitors about industry news, tips, opinions, products, etc. But one of the biggest benefits is blogging increases your rank, search engine optimization capabilities and the number/frequency of visits!

Quick Tips to Increase Blog Traffic

Below is a list of 7 tips for your blog:

1. Targeted Keywords. Post blogs about "topics" that interest your target audience. When your audience searches for those "topics" (aka keywords), you are likely to be found in search results. These topics should be more targeted, rather than broad and general. This will increase new traffic to your website that is likely to buy! Use the keywords in the title, category name, URL, post body content, etc. Don't overpopulate with keywords. If you have 200 words in a blog, only use the keywords 2-6 times.
2. Relevant Content. If you post content that is highly relevant, topical and interesting/important to your audience, they will want to "follow" you and continue to read your future blog posts. This increases the repeat visits to your website.
3. Comments. When you allow others to comment on your blog posts, content is added to your site without involving your time and money! 
4. Participate in the Blogosphere. Post comments on other blogs or message boards with a link back to your blog!
5. Frequent Posts. When you blog frequently or daily, you are adding quality content to your site that can increase visibility.  
6. Make Connections through Links. When you have quality content, it is more likely that someone will link to your blog. And if you include links in your blog, you are providing useful information they can also improve your search ranking. Submit your blog to blog directories to increase one-way links. Many of the top directories can be found on Robin Good?s Top 55 list at MasterNewMedia.org.
7. Optimized Site Architecture. Blogs have great structure, clear navigation, links, category tagging and other great features. The structure of a blog enables it to be indexed by search engines, which means all the content can help boost your rankings! And when your ranking is high, you are more likely to be higher on the search results!

Additional Resources

• Increase Traffic to Your Blog from Search Engines
• How to Increase Traffic to Your Blog
• 21 Tactis to Increase Blog Traffic
• 30 Tips to Increase Traffic at Your Blog