Website Versus Blogs
Websites used to be mostly static websites. The homepage or index would hardly ever change, the contents would also not change unless new pages are added. With static websites, readers can sign a guest book but can not usually comment on each article or page written. For purposes of this discourse, we will refer to static websites as websites.
> Blogs are dynamic websites where, usually, the last article written is the first thing seen by the readers. So the content is always fresh. Site visitors can interact with the authors and other readers, and add content to the posts via their comments.
> It is easier to find information in static websites, as there is a lot of order to them via navigation tabs or links. In blogs, although these may contain static pages too, the information is sorted out usually by category (sometimes called tags) or by date (archives). But blogs can have static pages, too, and look like traditional websites by having comments disabled, and writing static, unchanging pages with navigation tabs (like that bar you see on top of this page).
> It is easier to optimize a website for the search engines because you have more control over the keywords and the copy. Websites are favored by affiliates because it’s informative not very interactive (a lot of the interaction comes in at the shopping cart section). Blogs are favored by site visitors because it’s a giant socialization network. Sometimes, a blog sells a product by making a review of the product and putting a referral link below or within the article.
> And then there’s Google Adsense and pay per click programs. I find that I get a higher rate and more clicks from websites than I do from my blogs. Because a website tends to be more focused on a particular subject. But I find that blogs tend have more repeat site visitors, though. Once you’ve caught their attention, site visitors keep coming back to see what you have to say.
> Both websites and blogs can be personal. Like Chuvatech is personal, and so is Go Baguio! But bloggers can usually turn themselves into internet celebrities, while webmasters usually quietly build their pages and let the product speak for itself. Site visitors can be wary of anonymous sites, even with testimonials. Maybe it’s because of all those bogus sites that were set up since the internet started. So now, I find that folks trust those sites that have the blogger’s name and photo on the page, and that the About Page actually receives hits nowadays.
> With websites, each page can have its own design and layout while with a blog, all pages have the same look and layout. However, when you want to change static pages to another design, you will usually have to hand code each and every one of them. With a blog, you can switch templates quite easily.
Second. The reason this distinction is important is that there are totally different ways of designing, marketing, optimizing and monetizing these sites, depending on which you choose.
>For example, blogs posts tend to gather more links over time (increasing rankings) and collect comments as they collect traffic (decreasing keyword density towards the average of natural language). So while a blog can garner more customers, the density for a particular keyword, which affects the rate per click will change.
Third. A website can have a blog, like blog.chuvatech.com in a subdomain or in a directory like www.chuvatech.com/blog/ while a blog like (WordPress but not Blogger) can have static pages or show a static home page, too.
These are points to consider whether you are just starting out, or if you’re experienced in either medium. The choice really depends on the purpose for which you are setting up the site.
For beginners, know that the word dynamic really pertains to you! Nothing about your webesite or blog need be unchanging. And since the internet and the market is every changing, it would be good if you start with one, get good at it, while exploring the other.
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