Why have a blog if you have a website and vise versa

There is a lot of confusion over the difference between websites and blogs. Actually, Blogs are technically the same as websites in that they have a URL, are created with html code or other web scripting language, and reside on a web server. But the difference lies in their purpose and function. Blogs provide opportunities for interactivity and communication where websites provide a sense of integrity, stability and credibility. Both define an effective web presence.

What is a Blog?

A blog is an online journal or log featuring personal writing, photography, artwork, and videos. Blogs are typically written by individuals who enjoy sharing their knowledge or opinions and connecting with others, but can also be written by businesses. Corporate blogs are a very popular way to communicate with customers and clients while providing valuable feedback for the company. Business blogs are created specifically to generate revenue in an interactive format utilizing third party advertising.

Here are a few of the top benefits of blogs over websites:

• Interactivity: Blogs provide a venue for others to comment directly on the web to the "blogger" in real time. This can help gain valuable input from interested visitors and provides an easy way to communicate with potential or existing customers.
• Ease of Use: Blogs are easy to set up and use. Basic word processing and typing skills are all that is needed to write and produce a blog.
• Inexpensive: Blogs are very cheap to host and run. Companies such as WordPress and Typepad provide reasonable rates for hosting blogs. Google offers a free blogging service at blogger.com.
• Search Engine Friendly: Blogs are “picked up” more quickly by the search engines because of the dynamic nature of the content on a blog. Once information is posted to a blog it automatically pings the search engines that there is new content to be indexed.

So Why have a Website if Blogs are so Great?

Think of a website as a permanent online address. This is the place where information about a hobby or business services and products can be described in detail. Also, a traditional website can provide a sense of stability and credibility that might not be apparent on a blog interface. The truth is, depending on the type of business, a website and a blog can often be used together to achieve online goals.

Websites and Blogs Working Together

A blog can be used to increase traffic to a website. For example, a website that sells camera equipment could provide a blog that reviews different types of cameras. Visitors could read reviews, comment, and also be led to the website to purchase cameras. Search engines would pick up the blog, website, and links from other blogs that have picked up the camera review postings. This increases Search Engine visibility and can generate traffic to the website.

Blog posting or website creation? The Design Chef is at your service http://designchefstudios.com/

Read more at Suite101: Websites vs. Blogs: What is the Difference Between a Website and a Bloghttp://marketingpr.suite101.com/article.cfm/websites_vs_blogs#ixzz0uNMFbiHu

3 myths about blogs

1. Blogging takes too much time. What!! Do you know how much time it takes to properly maintain a website!? If you’re building a business then the act of blogging should be an aspect of your marketing so spending 2-4 hours each week researching and writing blog posts should be seen as a plus, not a negative. That is not to say you have to post so often … I don’t but I had to in the early days to build my credibility.
2. Blogs are fads and will die away soon. Boy … you would have thought these proponents would have cried off by now. But, let’s forget about them … just take a look at the direction the online world is taking and you will see that it makes sense to have a blog EVEN if you decide to build websites too (and, I do encourage both … more on that later) because blogs make podcasting, videocasting and social networking a lot easier if you are non technical.
3. No one reads blogs anyway. This is what some of speakers of The Professional Speakers Association used to tell me when I asked about building a site for my services. Now, I will tell you what I would tell them if they were to give me that same “cookie cutter” answer today … No one reads YOUR blog! If this is you it’s time to spice it up. Give your blog a voice, not a corporate makeover! Humans work in corporations so even if you’re targeting them, they have a sense of humor, they don’t all have MBA’s and use long “unarticulaterable” words (like this one I just made up) and, they want information they can use. So save the Guardian style editorial for your press releases but give them great tips in your blog.

Need a blog http://designchefstudios.com/

Trends in web design

1. Embossing Letterpress

   

2. Rich user interfaces

   

3. PNG transparency

   

4. Big typography

   

5. Font replacement (sIFR, etc.)

   

6. Modal boxes

   

7. Media blocks

   

8. The magazine look

   

9. Carousels (slideshows)

   

10. Introduction blocks

Recipe of the week! Mac and Cheese

1lb tortiglioni pasta

1lb sharp cheddar cheese

2t salt

1/4c shredded parmesan cheese

5T butter

1/4c flour

3c milk

Melt butter and add flour, cook a few minutes until golden brown. Add milk, bring to boil and cook for 10 minutes, whisking continually. Add cheddar cheese. Add cooked pasta. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Serves 6.