What is common in Nike, eBay, Coke, IBM, Google, iPod, and Dove? They are all powerful brands in their respective turf. Powerful enough to command any price they want without turning off customers.

Moreover, it makes selling and marketing lot easier if you have a trusted and established brand in the market. (I hope to see Hubpages as a powerful brand someday).

A brand is a perception of the majority. It mirrors the essence of your business and the image customers associate with you.

Unfortunately, startup and small businesses are not blessed with powerful brands. Worst, you must contend with these major brands in order to make a killing. Fortunately, there are cost-effective strategies that will help you compete and control the situation.

Let me remind you that powerful brands are not created overnight. It requires consistency and a lot of time to gain trust and be considered as a trusted “friend” of consumers.

This article focuses on the importance of Internet as part of your branding strategy.

Website is Not an Option, It’s a MUST!

The need to go online is imperative in every business, regardless of your industry. As consumers become more informed and tech savvy, the first thing they usually do before buying anything or availing services is to check the Web. Moreover, almost all established companies are already “hooked” and active in recruiting customers through this medium.

Being online is not enough. With millions of Web sites selling same products you have, you must exert extra effort to capture their attention and rout your competitors.

What can you possibly do?

Blog is a truly efficient weapon in your online armory. It is similar to your personal journal where you can share your thoughts and emotions to other people. Using that in your business, you can share tips and deals with your existing and potential customers in a friendly, relaxed manner.

One of my blogs called The Mobile Technology Weblog deals with trends in wireless technology and new mobile gadgets in town. Although its purpose is to inform and not to promote product, many executives and consumers visit our blog to help them make educated decisions related to wireless products.

Now, imagine if you can make that same connection with your users then selling might turn out to be a walk in the park. Imagine…

If you want to create a blog free of charge, visit Blogger.com