Atlanta Marketing Consultants Asks..Website or Blog Site, Which Is Right For Your Business?

Online, May 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - At Atlanta Marketing Consultants, we recently asked one of our interns what she thought about today's choices when it comes to advertising and marketing in Atlanta and all over the world for that matter. She decided to write the following:

We've all noticed it; things just aren't like they used to be. The days of entire families sitting, rapt, before the TV while our favorite show breaks 'for a word from our sponsors', are gone. We don't even just leave the room anymore, or channel surf until our show starts again. We can now fast-forward right through all that expensive advertising in Atlanta (and anywhere else) without so much as a glance.

So what's an advertiser to do? If the Yellow Pages, local paper, TV commercials and billboards aren't working any more, how can we, as small business owners, still reach our potential customers without blowing our modest budgets?

Sure, we've all heard about the Internet. We've all heard of Google and YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. This is the so-called 'social media' marketing that's been all over the news.

But is it really that big a deal?

While there are still hold-outs (those 'old fashioned folk' who are more comfortable picking up a book and leafing through it than cranking up the computer,) it is more and more common for people to just do a Google search to find the closest Wal-mart, or to find out what time Avatar is playing. It's quick. It doesn't require interacting with anyone (perfect if we're multi-tasking.) Best of all, one click can lead to a page loaded with links to other sites of interest. You might have even sent such links to your own friends on Facebook or 'tweeted' your fans about an exciting special at a favorite place.

You can do the same thing for your own business.

You've probably already heard the advice: Build a website. Create a blog. But what, exactly are those, how do they work, how do they differ and do they really pay off?

Think of a website as your business brochure. All the important information about your business or product is presented the same way to everyone. Think of it this way; once it's printed, a brochure doesn't change until the next time it's printed - which is a pretty expensive and time-consuming endeavor that doesn't get done very often - if ever. This would be a STATIC website. GREAT for the main go-to center for interested customers wanting to learn more and get a general overview of your business or product. It looks professional and helps build credibility for your business.

An alternative is the DYNAMIC website, which is more like an instantly customizable sales catalog. That is, if you want information on dog products from the pet supply website, the site automatically shows you dog-related products and current specials. It's still a 'brochure' that doesn't change that often, but this is the main contact point for most purchases. I bet you've bought things online this way yourself.

There is also another kind of website (a 2.0. as compared to a 1.0), which PRE-QUALIFIES seriously interested viewers by providing special fields for them to fill in with their contact information, so they can get more information on your product or service. This is the kind you want - Only those who are truly interested will take the time to fill in these fields. Queries from the 2.0 website are like getting reader-response-cards back in the mail. Good news for you!

A BLOG (short for web log) is more like a newsletter or flyer. It is quick, cheap (or free) and frequently updated - as often as needed, even more than once a day. It is interactive and can be more intimate/personal in feeling than a formal website. With a blog, anyone can instantly update and customize their site to meet moment-to-moment needs, specials and conditions.

While a blog is terrific for building a sense of community and immediacy for your business, it isn't meant to be the main information center. I think of it this way; the website is the corporate office and warehouse, while the blog is the sales team, meeting clients, showing samples and building rapport, on more of a 'one on one' basis. Either of these CAN work by themselves, but it takes a lot of work and isn't as effective. The best way is for both the website AND the blog to work cooperatively. This is like having your office and warehouse supported by a massive PR and advertising team, all working for you 'round the clock, with very little cost as compared to traditional (outdated) advertising methods.

Combine these with a top listing on Google and a presence on Facebook or YouTube, and you're set to take your business to undreamed-of new heights.

See the possibilities?

There is so much more to learn about advertising and marketing in Atlanta, but don't be daunted. Atlanta Marketing Consultants is here to help you sort it all out.

Now, I think she did a great job here on some of the basics. However, what she failed to realize is that a Blog Site can actually act as the corporate office and warehouse as well...