Research shows blogs and social networks may help small businesses

Record posts in January suggest that blogs may be emerging as a useful marketing tool for small businesses.

MerchantCircle has reported a more than doubling of blog posts during January 2009 compared to the previous year.

The company which serves as a social network for local businesses says that a merchant who has written just one blog has witnessed on average a 30 percent increase in website traffic.

According to MerchantCircle's vice president of marketing Darren Waddell, "Merchants are beginning to recognize the value of a business blog, which people within the internet community have known for a long time."

The company's research shows that 700 topics were posted in its online forums.

Social networking tools are good outlets for small business to make contacts, share ideas, and scouting resources - likely free of charge.

Itbusiness.ca suggests that these online gatherings of entrepreneurs in cities like Toronto and Montreal were "virtually non-existent" five years ago.

The technology publication notes that some businesses also use social networks internally as an information gathering and management tool.

----------------------------------------------

Copyright NEBS Canada Business Products.

For more than 30 years, small business owners have turned to NEBS for small business marketing products and services to help grow their business.