You can peruse any Internet Marketing forum and you will surely find a thread titled Blog or Website? This is a very common question asked by those starting an online business and especially for those looking to get into the business blogging.
Many times in the forums, you get lame answers, such as "a blog is a website" DUH!
But, that does not answer the question as it is intended, and even the newest of newbies know that
there is an inherent difference between blogs, blogging and websites beyond the technological.
While there are very sophisticated techie definitions, for the purpose of this discussion I will limit the definitions to the basics of Blogs vs. Static Websites and the unique characteristics of blogging that also apply to business blogging for making money.
Blog is short for weblog, which, simply put is a dynamic website that is constantly updated and provides interactivity between it and its users.
vs.
Static Websites usually display the same information, thus it is static. The content is not updated regularly and while the webmaster may always add pages of content, it is not expected. These sites can also be described as passive.
Blog Charateristics:
1. A blog needs to be updated with fresh content regularly, it is expected and required, or else it will die out.
2. One of the blog's main purposes is to engage readers and gain subscribers, in fact for many bloggers it is an end goal.
3. A blog is never truly passive, it cannot be slapped up and then left alone, it requires ongoing attention and therefore a lot of interest in and motivation for the subject from the blogger.
4. Blogs have messy navigation, since there is new content added regularly it is more difficult to present it all neatly and visibly, and much if it gets buried as more is added.
5. Blogs are more personal and represent a human behind the site.
Static Website Characteristics:
1. They are built, launched and then marketed. They can be a source of passive income without the expectation of new content. They are safe to leave alone to do "their thing."
2. The navigation is neat and all pages and content can be displayed prominently to visitors, this includes all your affiliate link pages, store pages and anything else that you want visitors to not miss, therefore static sites allow you to have more control over what is presented to visitors, while blog content easily gets buried over with the new incoming content.
3. The static website is not usually personal, it is detached from a "human behind the site."
Blog vs. Website
The decision to go with a Blog or Website is really a personal one. However, the problem for newbies is that they lack the experience to make an informed choice and often it is just trial and error.
I for one, do not think blogging is for everyone. Blogging is a bigger time investment and blogs are not the greatest passive income tools. In fact, many Internet marketers say that blog readers and subscribers do not click on Adsense and they do not take you up on your add offers very much. Usually they are there to read your content. The true money comes from search engine traffic, that will not subscribe but will exit with a click on Adsense or by buying an affiliate product.
There are exceptions. Some blogs focus on shopping and product reviews and that is the focus of the posts with the focus of making money, I have no experience with this type of blog and so maybe some of my readers can add their input, like Frank from Money Saving Reviews - Money Saving Guides.
Blogging takes a lot of dedication to the written word, versus the static website that does not. Tons of blogs fail because the blogger loses interest quickly after launch.
With all that it takes to learn and apply the marketing and SEO end of the business, a static website lessens the work load and allows newbies to focus on learning the tools and skills necessary to succeed.
There are many user friendly website builders, such as WYSIWYG, that stands for "What You See is What You Get" website software that allows those without any code or even basic HTML knowledge to build beautiful sites with simple drag and drop simplicity. Once the website is launched then experience can be gained on the Internet marketing end, without the constant stress of updating. Two of the best WYSIWYG softwares are WebEasy 7 Pro and Coffee Cup HTML Editor.
Also, you can use the free WordPress platform to build niche sites, with an empahis on pages instead of posts, that allow for neater navigation and a focus on making money as opposed to getting readers, but this is not true blogging.
What do you guys think?
I think it is a very good suggestion for newbie marketers to make a website to start, that way they can focus on marketing rather than constantly updating the info.
I personally love wordpress, both for blogs and making web pages. While I can code easily by hand, I just love how simple WP makes everything, and if you focus, as you said on a page format with wordpress, then you’ve got yourself a very nice free platform to make a niche website. Later it can easily be turned into a blog if you decide that would be a better route for marketing your products.
Stephen @ Online Incomes last blog post..Blogging to Make Money or Making Money Blogging
@Stephen
Thanks Stephen, I know for me, if I started with a blog for blog purposes, instead of static/niche website format, I do not think I would have done as well.
Follow Me on Twitter @: npxpcom
(9 comments)
I would go with blog any day! It simply is more easy to handle and of course a great way to share your thoughts..
Kamal Hasa recently posted..Comluv Not Working Solution
I personally say do both as they both have their respective pros and cons. I personally have both a blog, and a DYNAMIC website (OnePoke.com), not a static one.
i feel that with a dynamic website, you will gain repeat users, which is what the blog has going for it – it is dynamic with useful content, but at the same time, a dynamic BLOG cannot do the same things that a dynamic WEBSITE can
so on that front, you have my answer!
Taris Janitenss last blog post..OnePoke.com Now on Twitter!
@Taris Janitens
I agree Taris, there is a time and place for both.
@JR, For sure! So hows things?? Haven’t seen you around lately!
Taris Janitenss last blog post..OnePoke.com Now on Twitter!
@Taris Janitens
Things are good, I know, I have been busy building some new sites, been workin like a dog!
@JR, Yeah man JR, been busy huh?
Ben Peis last blog post..Top 10 Facebook Games Of The Year
Follow Me on Twitter @: DennisEdell
(224 comments)
Here comes the monkey with the big ‘ol wrench!
There are actually “static blogs” – we marketers prefer the term “niche blogs” though.
Depending on the chosen niche the newbie makes, these would be a lot more user friendly then a static website. I call some “static” because again depending on the niche, you can easily slap up 10-20-30 pages/posts (removing the time stamp), monetize-optimize and let it sit for months…many months if it’s a niche with not a load of updating to be done.
I say more user friendly because the SE’s prefer them, and a hell of a lot easier to “code” with the sheer magnitude of widgets/plugins that will pretty much do anything you want.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Banners Ads or Text Links?
@Dennis Edell
Good points Dennis, thanks, but I would not call these a traditional blog, as I mention in my post, these are niche sites built with blogging software.
Follow Me on Twitter @: DennisEdell
(224 comments)
@JR, I wasn’t calling them a traditional blog either. I was comparing the ease of “static blogs” (which is basically what they are) vs. static HTML sites.
Btw, that type of blogging software should never be used…call that an opinion if you wish.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Banners Ads or Text Links?
@Dennis Edell
“that type of blogging software should never be used” not sure what you mean???
Follow Me on Twitter @: DennisEdell
(224 comments)
@JR, I must have skipped something along the way. Sorry if so.
Whenever someone mentions “niche blogs” and “blogging software” in the same breath, my mind instantly jumps to garbage auto-content generating pieces of crap software.
Not that I’m bitter, but usually right.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Banners Ads or Text Links?
@Dennis Edell
That is true, but not always, many niche sites are created with original content!
Follow Me on Twitter @: DennisEdell
(224 comments)
@JR, as they should be!
I’d bet if we could actually count a percentage, crap software niche blogs would win. LOL
Dennis Edells last blog post..Banners Ads or Text Links?
Thanks for the mention JR,
Ultimately, blog software like WordPress is a content management system (CMS) for websites and can be used as a straightforward blog (ie personal journal), as a pure content site or a combination of the two. How it’s promoted makes a big difference in the kind of traffic you get. If you get primarily social referral traffic then the blogging rules you mentioned apply. If you seek search traffic via SEO techniques then the standard blogging rules don’t apply as much.
The biggest example of this in my experience is that you can have a former flagship WordPress blog or a Blogger blog that isn’t updated regularly, maybe not for a year or more, but that has keyword targeted content and ranks high in search results for them, that still brings in 1000 or more unique visitors a day from search engines. OpTempo itself doesn’t get updated as often as it once did but still gets a lot of search traffic and makes nice money. If you do good SEO up front you’ll tend to retain good traffic levels and continue to make money even if you’re inactive for a while pursing other projects or dealing with blogging burnout.
Frank Carr@Product Reviewss last blog post..Barack Obama Inauguration Souvenir Collectors Guide
@Frank Carr
Thanks Frank!
I think that starting out someone should do a blog- because it is so dynamic and does change so often you can learn a lot of stuff as you go.
Then when you have a feel for things- your writing style, what works- what doesn’t, how to work things behind the scenes etc, you can go and do a website.
But it also depends a lot of what exactly you are trying to do when you start out.
jens last blog post..Google Adwords Income- Using PPC Domination to Generate Leads While Making Money
Great post, nice explanation to help newbies make a decision as to which one will suit their style.
Jos last blog post..Why Do So Many New Businesses Fail?
Thanks JR, good advice in your column as usual!
@Matt
Thank you!!
Hi Jr,
I’m actually glad they didn’t have blogging software when I made my first website. If wordpress had been available then, I probably would have never learned html … which means I probably also wouldn’t have been curious enough to explore CSS, PHP … etc.,
Thank being said, now even if I don’t intend to use a site as a blog, it’s very likely to still reside on wordpress … mainly for the reason that Dennis sited … the plugins.
Todd
Todd @ Success with Todds last blog post..Unlimited Unique Content with Wp Spinner
@Todd
Yeah, you gotta love WP, I too agree with you, I do not think I would have learned as much had I started with WP.
I don’t know that I agree. I think that blogs can be “company blogs” and not necessarily personal. Nor are they always interactive, interactive may describe a forum.
Follow Me on Twitter @: DennisEdell
(224 comments)
@Logo Design,
Company blogs in the manner you mean (I assume) are not meant to be interactive. Their SOLE purpose is to drive traffic to their main static (sales) site.
A must have in it’s own right, but not a traditional blog.
Dennis Edells last blog post..Banners Ads or Text Links?
Follow Me on Twitter @: colleenlane
(9 comments)
JR wrote:
“Many times in the forums, you get lame answers, such as “a blog is a website” DUH!”
Well, I’m in the process of making my main site both. I will end up having a number of static pages on the home page, however, I will also have a few feeds from the blog on the home page as well. Kinda the best of both worlds.
Kennewick Real Estates last blog post..How I Spent Inauguration Day
@Kennewick Real Estate
Good plan, many sites benefit greatly by linking to a blog
Thanks for the post JR,
For me building a web site was really intimidating so I put it off for a long time. Then I found out how easy it was to start a blog so I did that to get my feet wet. Now I feel much more comfortable with the internet and I am learning html on the blogs. This also allowed me to have a web presence (which I think is important to get started) while I was learning about the true ways to make money online.
There is a complete mindset change when you see something you created actually on the internet. It says “Yes this is possible.”
Thank you for all your great insights. You are a wonderful inspiration.
Andy@buy mlm leadss last blog post..Best MLM Lead Tips
Great Article. Blogs are so easy to create and maintain that they are a logical choice for someone that wants to have a web presence. The only bad thing about blogs is the need to be updated consistently every week.
Keep up the great work!
@Articles 4 All Directory
Thanks and welcome!
Follow Me on Twitter @: ExtremeEzine
(7 comments)
Most static websites just seem boring to me. There are a lot of exceptions of course but I’m very pro blog. I’ve converted most of my sites to WordPress blog format. Even my membership site has a blog.
Brian D. Hawkinss last blog post..Brand New – HotBlogTips.com
I think it depends on your goals. Blogs are great for networking and building a loyal following. However, if making money is your goal then I’d recommend a website. They are more flexible in terms of design, you don’t have to dedicate so much time to generating new content, and you can be much more aggressive when it comes to promoting affiliate offers.
Charles
Follow Me on Twitter @: DennisEdell
(224 comments)
@Marketing Ideas,
It would depend on your goals again as to how or with what you plan to make that money.
Follow Me on Twitter @: ExtremeEzine
(2 comments)
@Marketing Ideas, I still agree with Dennis about “static blogs”. If you get a good theme and the right plugins it’s hard to get any more flexible or easier.
Brian @ Ezine 4 Internet Marketerss last blog post..Throwing Good Money At A Bad Problem
I started out with “static pages” used for adsense. I had no idea how to build them so I used to by them. For some time there it was very costly using trial and error with niches. Once I learned I could do this with a wordpress blog I saved alot of money. I would set up another “blog” folder on one of my existing sites to test out a niche. If it is successful, I set it up on its own domain using word press. I use the page format for the entire blog. I put email capture on those pages also to build an email list for that niche.
I save alot of money doing it this way. Great job explaining the difference.
Junius
Junius Fullard @ Internet Marketing Advices last blog post..Marketing on Social Media Sites For The Nay Sayers
@Junius
Thank you for the awesome tips!
I would still give my vote to blog because it is so personal and is always updated with fresh content. But well, website has its own unique point too I guess?
Ben Peis last blog post..Top 10 Facebook Games Of The Year
@Health Insurance in San Diego
The one-way’s are definitely best, but go for LE’s too, they still have value, not links pages, but within content and home page links.
@JR, But as I went through Google webmaster guideline, link exchange was criticized.
We always have to monitor link neighbor because bad neighbor can harm us a lot.
@suda
Yes you should check out your link partners, as far link exchange goes, it works and works quite well and is an important part of link building.
hey JR, I think this is a timeless question that will remain timeless. While I’m currently a huge fan of blogs, or websites with blogs, to me it’s like asking which is the better tool – a screwdriver or a hammer? Well, each has it’s purpose and it depends what you’re doing. ~ Steve, trade show marketing
PS. By the way, you definitely didn’t screw up on this one, but instead hit the nail on the head!
@steve
LOL, cute
Some will look at blogs as the better platform that can be used in order to boost the visibility of the website or business.
Personally, I prefer blogs, but that’s just a personal preference, as both blogs and statical sites are very good for internet marketing, and they both rank very well in SERPs if you do you SEO work.
After reading ALL of the new comments (above)….it looks like the answer is: BOTH
Now if only I could get off my lazy butt & get me a blog script….
A big question indeed, I have recently converted from Blogger to WordPress with my own domain, and I can’t, but say that I wished I have done this sooner.
Alberts last blog post..Top 21 Article Directories Worth Submitting
Both. a website that has blogs is a sure winner. One way to get traffic to a website is article writing or blogging. Write something interesting and unique that readers would want to keep reading page after page. And along the way, you gain new clients or subscribers to your site and before you know it, your business is back on track This has been one enjoyable read!
.-= Andy B.´s last blog ..What do you do as a living? =-.
Blogs gives instant traffic as compared to website..but your blog must contain quality articles..by which you can get more posts and more backlinks ..website with static content take some time to let you provide traffic…
Blog Blog Blog
It is easier for a beginner, the plugins make SEO and so much more a piece of cake.
So many HUGE companies have moved to a blog platform or at least a CMS like WP.
Duh…
@T Edwards
You are welcome and welcome to the blog!
@Chris Gaynor
Thanks for sharing your experience!
@Vinh Nguyen
Yes, Jarret Cade at http://jarretcade.net/, great guy and knows it all!
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