Blogs can be a significant driver of website traffic and can also help you rank better with Google.  If you are not already “blogging”, now is the time to start.

Here are the top 10 business benefits of blogging.

1. Search Engine Marketing

Popular search engines like Google like websites that are regularly updated with fresh, well written, keyword-rich content. People will be able to find your website more easily (because Google will list more pages), Google will re-index your site more frequently) and it will also boost your websites rankings.

2. Direct Communication With Your Subscribers

Gradually you will build up a readership subscribers who have signed up to receive updates to your blog because they are interested in what you have to say. Every time you publish a new article it will update your subscribers giving you the ability to communicate directly with your target audience.

3. Building your brand

A blog is a great way to build brand awareness and reach potential customers you have not communicated with in the past.

4. Competitive Differentiation

Show potential customers how you work, what sets you apart and how your solution to their challenges is unique. You can use your blog to differentiate yourself from your competitors and give that personal touch.

5. Promoting interaction and trust

Successful conversions is all about building relationships. By posting honest, transparent, articles on your blog you will instill trust and respect in your potential customers. The best blogs are a 2-way communication where your readers can comment on your articles. This interaction gets them more involved and more engaged.

6. Social Media Marketing

Sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and social bookmarking sites like delicious, Stumbleupon and digg can produce astounding results.  Link up your blog to these popular sites and you may be lucky enough to have your article go viral!

7. Media & Public Relations

It is most likely if you are running a blog but your competitors are not the media will contact you and not them. Free press is always a good thing.

8. Position Yourself as an Expert

Know your stuff? Well share your knowledge on your blog. If you really know what you are talking about people will pay attention and before you know it you will have a dedicated following of readers who are more likely to buy from you.

9. Reputation Management

Do you know what is being said about you online? Do you have a platform to counter any negative press your company is receiving? With a blog you do. It is one way you can help to manage your online reputation.

10. Low Cost

Setting up a blog doesn’t cost very much and maintaining one costs practically nothing.