Once you have defined your goals for developing a website, you can choose the delivery model i.e. is a website or a blog right for you? Although a blog (which is short for 'web log') is actually just a website, it does have some differences in writing style, layout and features:
Blog |
Website |
|
Writing Style |
|
|
Format & Layout |
|
|
Content |
|
|
Ease of Information Delivery |
|
|
Reader Perception |
|
|
So, apart from the factors above, what else will help you choose a website or blog?
Choose a blog if you... |
Choose a website if you... |
| Are on a tight budget i.e. $0. Starting with a blog to show your expertise and have something to point your customers to online, is absolutely fine as a starting point. | You want to give customers detailed product and services specifications / information. |
| Want to compliment your existing website with more frequently updated and 'personable' content.You can have both a blog and a website and link them together or have them installed together on the same domain name. | You need an eCommerce website to sell products and services online. |
| Like writing in a more casual style. | You have the ability and commitment to update and maintain the website content, or the money to pay someone to do it for you. |
| Want to get something up on the internet about your business in a very short period e.g. ½ to 1 day. | You need to compete with online competitors on products and services. |
And of course – you can absolutely have both a blog and a website to get the best of both worlds.
However, regardless of which you choose, you need to understand that both blogs and websites:
- Need fresh content & links - to get found on the internet organically you need to be writing in your blog at least weekly (2-3 times a week is better but who has time for that!) and to get your website found, you need to frequently write new articles for your website (or employ someone to do this for you). You also need to develop a linking strategy (i.e. a program to determine who would link to you and in return you link back to them in your online articles). Search engines place a heavy emphasis on links – they interpret lots of links as meaning your website is a trusted authority.
- Need maintenance – a blog requires less maintenance but it also typically provides less flexibility in the design and layout. A website gives you the ability to scale up later (e.g. to an eCommerce website) but it does require regular maintenance and, depending on the system used, software updates to keep it secure.
A website and blog should be seen as part of your overall marketing strategy and if you don't employ someone to do it for you, expect to invest some significant time in maintaining and promoting it to ensure you get found on the internet.