Writing a blog is a proven social media method of driving traffic to business sites for the purpose of expanding the customer base and increasing profits. It is a cost effective form of marketing that is constantly growing in popularity, so to truly reap the benefits of a business blog you need to generate a large following and make your blog stand out from the competition. Here are five ways that you can blog better:

Own your domain: There are many advantages to blogging on a major blog server like Blogger or WordPress. These services are available at no cost and you are given a URL that includes the server’s name in it like bloggingforbusiness.blogspot.com. However, you’ll get more traffic to your site if you buy your own domain. Major blog sites offer to host your own URL for a small fee that’s well worth it.

Design does matter: Your design is a big part of your readers’ first impression. You want it to be attractive with pleasing colors, and above all easy to navigate. Your readers should be able to find the blog posts and information they’re looking for in a matter of seconds without having to sort through unnecessary clutter.

Content is key: A blog is all about the information you provide your readers and how you relate it to them. Taking the time to write quality, personable and educated posts will keep your readers coming back again and again. You want them to view you as the expert in your field and trust what you have to say.

Exchange links: Share the love and link to other people’s blog posts that you enjoy. If they have trackbacks turned on, you will receive a link back as well in the comments section of the post of which you linked. Most of the time when you comment on anther blog there is a space to include your website address as well so comment as much as possible to get more attention.

Ask questions: A blog is all about being interactive.  Your readers want to feel included so ask questions in your blog posts that will spark thoughts and ideas in your readers, encouraging them to leave comments.

There’s no doubt that a blog will improve your web presence and increase website traffic, and the better your blog, the better the business.

Sometimes you have to put a little money into something to get a return.  An incentive program advertised on your website is a fantastic way to generate income and exposure through word of mouth.  An example of a successful incentive program is to promote to your current customers a $10 reward for anyone they refer that spends over $50.  This not only gets your company out there, but it also gets people to purchase more and has them coming back to use their reward.  It is enticing for a client to get as many people they can to purchase if they are getting something in return.

A lot of businesses create an incentive program for loyal customers who continue to come back and purchase.  A rewards club where a consumer can build up points is a great way to receive purchases aiming for a complimentary gift or monetary discount.  Buyers are looking to get something from every purchase as a bonus and this is a successful way to do so.  Sometimes the incentive program can be misleading to the buyers because there isn’t an immediate gratification.  Usually a lot of money has to be spent by the consumer for them to see something valuable in return which works to your advantage.

Having the opportunity to win something is appealing to the buyers in this economy as well. Promotion of a contest through online advertising, an email blast or a post on a social network can not only gain buzz about your brand and company, but it will also drive traffic to your website for contest entry.  Keep it simple to enter and your consumers will pass on the word to gain even more exposure.  If a few people who initially came to your website to enter the contest make a purchase, your incentive could be paid for.

There is an immense amount of power incentives can bring to your business and above are three ideas to get the ball rolling.