Before I answer this question, I should answer a more basic question that I've been asked a number of times: "What's the difference between a blog and a web site?"
[If you have any uncertainties about what a blog is, I recommend you take a fast look at the definition of blog in the glossary and then return here. The definition also includes a short video.]
A blog is a type of web site. It has a few unique characteristics that that separate it from an "ordinary" web site:
- New information that is put up on a blog usually shows up in the middle of the page and occurs on a time line. The most recent information is near the top.
- Blogs allow people to interact by leaving comments. This means people can easily discuss ideas with the author of the blog AND with other people who are leaving comments.
- Blogs are much more likely to provide links to other locations on the net. There is a fairly strong agreement amongst bloggers to connect their readers up with other valuable information. You very rarely see this on an "ordinary" web site.
- It is much easier (and often much less expensive) to get started with a blog than it is with a web site.
I see a web site as a place to put up a lot of great information: Information about your products, services, your group, whatever you're promoting. And you can always add new information. But many, many web sites are not updated with the frequency that blogs are. Blogs, by their definition, are viewed as an ongoing journal on a particular subject.
This brings to mind another key factor in deciding whether to start a blog or create a web site. The search engines REALLY like "fresh material." And blogs can very easily be updated weekly, daily or as often as you like. I have published information on one of my blogs and within hours it showed up very highly on Google.
If you're looking to get started and you're on a tight budget, I recommend a blog. You can get information out there very quickly without it costing you an arm and a leg. If your not very technically inclined and don't have the funds to get a spiffy web site started, a blog is a great place to start. If you'd like to get a dialog going with people, go with a blog. If you want to share your views with the world (about a subject, person, cause, etc.), once again a blog is a great choice.
[The next post will provide info on how to get started with a blog.]
On the other hand, If you've got a very large number of products to sell and you're looking to create an "online catalog," I'd recommend you get a web site up and running. If you want to get a LOT of information out there right away, I'd also recommend putting this on a web site. But I would also strongly recommend you get a blog going as well. Your blog can promote your web site and vice versa. More on this in future posts.
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