Technology such as blogs, social networking tools, videos and podcasts move websites from being isolated entities providing information to become interlinked and interactive. This allows users to generate and distribute content – ultimately doing more online – and allows businesses to provide extra services and build up a better relationship with customers and partners.
As well as being an ideal way to create an initial online presence for your business, social networking sites can complement an existing website and allow you to extend your business reach on the web.
Not only do they offer the opportunity to quickly create an additional site, they allow small businesses to link to a range of contacts – whether partners, like-minded businesses or companies in the same area – in order to build up their own network.
In addition, social networking tools provide a cost effective way to start using the latest web tools such as blogs and podcasts.
Blogs
Blogs are one of the best-known networking tools and are increasingly being used by businesses to keep customers and partners up-to-date with company developments and news about products, as well as offering the opportunity for leaders to give opinion on market trends. Here are some important considerations when setting up a blog:
- The style and tone of the blog needs to be carefully considered, as it may be the first contact some people have with your company
- The blog must be written by the person it is representing to ensure that it acts as a credible information channel
- It is important to follow and link to other bloggers who look at your sector or your business area because the number of links is counted in the ranking of particular blogs. They can also write about your products or services with comments and reviews.
Podcasts & Webcasts
Podcasts and webcasts are short films or audio presentations that you can add to your website to give additional information to visitors.
Webcasts are streamed over the internet, whereas podcasts are downloaded and used on multimedia devices such as iPods.
Both are an excellent way to speak to potential and existing customers, and allow you to offer a range of information, from demonstrating products and allowing customers to see what's on offer, through to providing information or advice on specialist topics.
For example blogs and podcasts visit our website www.marketingsolutions.bt.com
