If you are a small business owner that has mixed feelings about the wonderful world of online marketing and even more hesitation about entering the social media realm, you're definitely not alone. But being the business-savvy entrepreneur that you are, you probably know that this is the wave of the future and businesses that lack some form of online presence will be left in the dust. Consider putting a blog on your site; it's easier than you might think.

The top three reasons that small business owners avoid developing their online marketing plans and stay away from social media is lack of capital, lack of time, and lack of skills. This is where a blog will fit your needs perfectlyâ€"it is relatively cheap to incorporate into your site, requires very little time, and you do not need any special technical skills or writing expertise to use it. View this guide for tips on getting started with a blog and for best practices on maintaining it.

What is most important to having a successful blog is to understand that it is like hosting a networking event on your site, around the clock. People can read what you've written, which should be entertaining and informative. They can also participate by asking questions and posting comments. This can become a sounding board for revealing your areas of expertise and truly helping potential customers. It can also be a place for your current customers to tout your goods or services.

The beauty of the blog is that it does not need to be a picture perfect dissertation of what you do; as a matter of fact, it is better if it is more conversational and speaks to the masses. You can also have fellow employees or business associates write posts to expand your reach. One cardinal rule of blogging is to not only start this conversation, but to respond as wellâ€"keep the interaction moving.

Learn more and get started today!