In the last issue we went over some of the different techniques
for designing and installing your blog. In this issue we are going
to go over some of the pros and cons of building a website
versus starting a blog.
Here's the problem, you know you want a solid online presence,
but you're faced with a dilemma. Do you choose a blog or a
website? How do you solve this problem?
Unless you've been living under a rock we all know what a
website is. Simply put it is a combination of texts, images,
video or flash messages designed to inform and entertain
its visitors. And as you learned in the last issue a blog is a
similar to a website that is constructed in the format of an
online journal.
In this issue, we are going to go over some of the pros and
cons of building a website compared to starting a blog.
- First let's discuss a website versus a blog in terms of
navigation.
When you build a website's the navigation is often linked
through a menubar at the top, side or bottom of it's pages.
It has a main index page which is referred to as the homepage
When you start a blog it is usually navigated through links to
the previous or next entries shown either at the start or end
of each post or in the blogs sidebar. The sidebar contains
customizable navigation links like Pages, About, Archives etc..
It may also include links to your previous posts organized by the
dates they were posted. A "Categories" segment is also a
mainstay of the sidebar and you will often find a blogroll or a
list of external links included as well.
- Now let's talk about a website versus a blog in terms of
update-ability.
A website usually presents static content that you have to update
manually It is possible to link to a news page or RSS feed that will
refresh the information on your webpage regularly, but this requires
a bit of programming knowledge to make it work effectively.
When you build a website, you either have to learn HTML or how
to use what is referred to as a WYSIWYG (what you see is what
you get) editor to update them.
When it comes to setting up a blog. Most of the programming is
already done for you. Blogs are built with a content management
system that makes adding content easier by simply logging into
your control panel, writing your post and clicking publish. Another
great thing about setting up a blog is a thorough wide variety of
templates available that make customizing the look and feel of
your pages much easier without any programming knowledge.
- What about website versus a blog in terms of web usability?
The truth be told when it comes to the usability of a blog it may
not differ that much from a website in the eyes of your visitor.
However, when it comes to updating and maintaining your blog
you may find it relatively easy to do especially with all the ready
made templates, plugin's and widgets that are available for
your use and the fact that there are basically no programming
skills required to tasks at hand.
- Last but not least let's talk about a website versus a blog in
terms of visitor interaction.
If you've visited a blog lately you may have noticed that they
have a built in feature where your readers can easily leave a
comment to any post they want after reading it. This makes it
easy for you "the author" of the blog to interact with your visitors.
Alas, this isn't the case with a website. Although it usually has a
"Contact Us" page where you can have your visitor send you
a note it does not have the same interactive feel and ease that
a blog does.
Now it's decision time. Do you build the website or do you start
a blog? Ultimately the decision is up to you. Do you plan on
offering information that does not require regular updating?
Then a website may be just what you need. But if you plan on
making frequent updates and want easy interaction with your
readers then a blog may be the best option for you.
One more thing to consider before we close this issue is that
you may want to have both! I'm not saying this to confuse you.
I just to let you know that with the proper set up a blog and a
website can easily work hand in hand to help you accomplish
your goals. Just something to think about!
Make sure you look for your next issue soon. We will be talking
responsible blogging ethics.
More Blogging Tips: Easy Blog Traffic
Link #1: Blog Mastermind Site
Link #2: Blog Mastermind Videos
Link #3: Blog Mastermind Mentoring Program
Link #4: Blog Mastermind - Conversion Blogging Video
Link #5: Blog Mastermind - Alborz Fallah Interview - Million Dollar Blogger
Link #6: Blog Mastermind - How Yaro's Blog Makes Money - 2 Videos
Link #7: Blog Mastermind - Coaching Program
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