I know that the blog evangelists out there are telling you that your business will not survive without a blog. They predict doom and gloom for all those who would dare have a company and not, in some form or fashion, blog. I have my doubts about that and have my doubts that every business must have a blog. I have always been of the opinion that if you are going to do anything, you should do it right. So the question is not should every business blog, but what are the ingredients to successful small and micro business blogging? This is the more important question because it actually leads to an answer where solutions can be had. Now you can find many websites that speak to corporate blogging and what should and shouldn't be done and while I find them to be very informative, I have to wonder if they can be used by the antique shop around the corner, the dry cleaner up the block or the small jamaican restaurant a few blocks from here? While I do believe it blogging, I don't know if it's a fit for every kind of business.

What do you think?
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I'd say that having a good web site for you business should take priority to having a blog for your business. Even if the site just gave basic information about the business (hours, location, contacts, etc.), it would be better than nothing (and that's what many small businesses have).

Blogs can be great for small businesses because they serve as free advertising as well as a relationship-builder with potential and current customers. However, successful blogs take time and effort to maintain and not everyone is well suited to blogging.

I would put blogging down as a "good idea" but not as a "must have". That goes for pretty much any business. Certainly, the farther you are from the technology sector, the less you are going to need a blog (and the smaller your potential blog-readership would be).

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After thinking about it for a while, I think that a small business is better off with a blog site vs. a traditional website. This only applies if they do not actually sell their products or services online. The blog gives them the ability to provide more up to date information about their business, and generally offers a more user friendly design than a website.

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