Are you a business that’s just started your own blog? Well, lucky for you I attended the Search Engine Strategies (SES) Conference in Toronto, Ontario this past Friday and do I have a whole lot of tips and tricks to share with you!

So today, I thought I’d share a few quick and easy questions that will help you determine your target blog audience…Good luck and happy blogging!

1)    Who are you writing this blog for?

2)    Will your readers understand the technicalities of your business?

3)    Will they understand the jargon used in your industry?

4)    Are your readers more likely to identify with the features or the benefits of your products or services?

These four simple questions will help you create an effective blog strategy that will resonate with readers—and hopefully start some conversation around your industry, business, products or services.

What your Website Says about your Company

You’re selling a fantastic, cutting-edge new piece of computer software, a state-of-the-art fitness product, luxurious spa packages, or gorgeous interior design services … whatever your marketing online, I’m sure it’s top of the line.

You’ve got yourself a witty product name. Your logo is something to behold. Your tagline is oh so clever. However, your website was built in flash and it takes so long to load that customers get frustrated and click away before even seeing your site and what you offer. Basically, you’re totally blowing your chances online.

Does this resonate with you?

Well then guess what your website is saying about that fantastic product of yours?

Your site is outdated = your product is behind it’s time

Your navigation buttons don’t work properly = your products break easily

Your web design is lame = your product is lame … your entire company is lame

The blog was last updated 2 months ago = your whole company is lazy

Can’t find your products from the homepage = your product is hard to use

Shoppers can’t find the cart button or shipping information = you don’t sell products online

Your landing pages aren’t properly optimized = you don’t sell what they’re looking for

There is no “About” page on your site = your company is fake and can’t be trusted

… Bottom line, your website is saying that your product or service totally blows.

As web marketers, we often fail to recognize that every single element of our website makes a powerful impact on site visitors. Our website is the very first impression that web consumers (and those can be potential customers, distributors, partners, or stakeholders) will experience with your company, product or service. It’s your virtual business card, identity, the first handshake and the first impression all rolled into one. It communicates everything about the credibility of your product, brand, and company.

If you consider your website an important part of your marketing efforts; you need to identify and fix slow, outdated, error-filled websites that communicate that your company isn’t professional.