This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
Unfortunately, when it comes to your small business website, image is everything. How you present your company on the digital sphere is important, and as we've learned recently, people are searching for the word "Tumblr" moreso than "blog."
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More and more brands have migrated to Tumblr. The micro-blogging site has become a more serious platform for brands -- whether it's to show brand character, offer a peek behind the scenes, like we do here at Mashable or just to keep customers up-to-date on the latest from their storefront.
Some may feel slightly overwhelmed at the thought of juggling so many social media sites -- why add a Tumblr to the mix?
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First, you should know that it can be done. Tumblr recently made sharing to Facebook easier by integrating with Timeline. That's a helpful step in your social media management's direction. Tumblr has carved a niche for itself in embracing a more graphic and design-oriented aesthetic, which is a plus for your company if you're looking to distinguish yourself in a more meaningful way than you can through a generic Facebook Page.
You should also keep in mind that there are more than 50 million blogs on Tumblr. That is a lot of people who could be looking at your site.
The best place to start is simply setting up a Tumblr -- or maybe you already have one. After that, selecting a theme will help your site stand apart and look more professional. The great thing is you don't necessarily need to spend a ton on a graphic designer or purchase a premium theme, although both of these options most certainly have their perks.
Don't have the budget or the patience for a custom theme? Here are plenty of great free themes to choose from in Tumblr's theme garden. Try to go with one that works with your brand and the utility goals of the blog. For example, if you're looking to inform customers about what's happening within the company, you'd be better off with a classic blog format. However, if you're looking for something more visual, a pin-board style theme might be a better option.
Still feeling a little in over your head? We've round up eight classic, professional themes for your small business on Tumblr so you can become cutting edge with a simple or bold design.
What theme do you use for your professional blog? Let us know in the comments below.
1. Simple Things
This theme is a basic option for a business owner who wants a simple site, but also desires a more modern look.
Click here to view this gallery.
More Small Business Resources From OPEN Forum:
- Should Small Businesses Follow Everyone Back on Twitter?
- Are You Falling into the Pricing Trap?
- How to Take Your PR Pitches to the Next Level
This story originally published on Mashable here.
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