Melanie asks: "It seems blogs are all the rage now but I wanted to start with a website (have a little experience with that and a friend who can help too, so seemed quicker to get up and running).
I know blogs get traffic, but...
Can I still make a success from a static website - or is that a dying breed?
It seems its all blog talk now on the internet, and while my intention is to add a blog in the future as I get more knowledge... I just think there is such a huge learning curve with wordpress.
I just want to get my website up and content written and improve/add as I go along. But feel almost like it's a blog or nothing these days? What are your thoughts on this?"
Great question, Melanie! There is no right or wrong answer here, but there are some things to consider. I'll start by asking you a few questions to help you make your decision:
- What software do you have to create/edit/manage a website?
- How much experience is "a little experience" with HTML?
- How dependent would you be on your friend to help you?
There are a lot of differences between a blog format and a static website. In the end though, it boils down to: good content, proper optimization and quality inbound links. So to answer your question, yes you can still be successful online with a traditional website.
The learning curve is a lot steeper than with WordPress for most people. Also, WordPress is heavily supported so it is very easy to get any help you might need. There are tons of free themes, free plugins, and free support forums to draw from.
I have a detailed checklist here: How to Create a Blog that will walk you through the 7 steps to setting up WordPress from domain name to customization.
Hosting is cheap, WordPress is free, and any web host with cPanel offers it as a one-click install. I use HostGator, as do many of my readers here, and you can get the first month for 1c by using the coupon code "wordpress" when you sign up. You can literally set up a great looking blog for about $10 - the cost of the domain name.
Benefits of Blogging
There are specific benefits of blogging that you won't have with a traditional static website. In addition to it being cheap & easy, you'll have perks like:
- An RSS Feed
- User Comment Feature
- Listings in RSS & Blog Directories
- Auto-Pinging Update Services
- Automated Email Newsletter
Also, users are more receptive to blogs. They enjoy subscribing and commenting, and so it's much easier to build a loyal readership and you'll enjoy a good number of repeat visitors.
In addition to that, you'll become a part of the overall blog network, which opens up opportunities of it's own. You can bring on guest bloggers, get mentioned on other blogs in your niche, participate in cross blog conversations or blog carnivals, etc.
If your website idea is content-based, I definitely recommend that you consider using the WordPress platform. If you plan to include an online store with a shopping cart (ie an ecommerce site) you can add that separately on the same domain. Static pages and blogs can easily co-exist within a "site".
How long will it take to earn $1500/month?
"What would you say is a reasonable amount of time (with hard work, but part time as I have to work still) to be able to earn your first $1500 month? I really would like to get out of the auction business within a year."
When I first decided to make the transition from a service-based online business, to Affiliate Marketing, my initial goal was to consistently earn $5,000/month. I reached that goal within the first year.
Like you, I was still running my original business, and so I was doing Affiliate Marketing on the side - nights & weekends, basically.
At first it was all work. A serious investment of time & energy. But by the last quarter of that year I had reached my goal, and in the process had phased out my original business altogether.
I can't answer that question for you, as it's different for everyone. You get out of it what you put into it. But I can tell you that it's definitely possible - and it sounds like you're willing to make it happen. 😉
Getting over the fear of... Getting Started
"I have read your tips about taking small steps to getting to your goals but to someone who at present has the fear to actually start the site, I suppose the fear of failure you could say.. and that of changing my business model, do you have any valuable insights to give me a push this Monday?
I have read a lot and pretty much understand it all and know I need to TAKE ACTION, but something keeps me from starting although I have done keyword research and roughly designed a website on paper and content ideas..."
You have to want it bad enough to just make it happen. Period.
Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be. An idea is never going to earn you money. Taking action on that idea will.
So go ahead and get started, set up a domain name and hosting account, and start getting your content online.
Nothing you do will be "wrong". Everything you do can be changed or improved. There's really nothing to fear at all, except doing nothing at all. You'll never regret trying something, even if you fail. And even from there, you can fix it.
The only regret you could potentially have is wanting something, or wanting change - and doing nothing about it at all...
Best,
p.s. Anytime you have questions, stop by my discussion forum. We'll help you out!
About Lynn Terry
Great advice Lynn. Especially the part that in the beginning, it can be a lot of nights and weekends as one works to transition into a full time, or livable income with an Online business. It doesn't happen overnight.
It takes vision, commitment and persistence and the willingness to invest a LOT of time in the beginning for very little return on investment. Over time, that changes dramatically. One just has to be willing to stick it out!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
100% true - Hopefully Melanie will create both website and a blog and have them work together eventually! I, too, hear from people who are really scared to do what they dream. We all just really need to believe in our own abilities to learn and achieve. Especially us women!
I like blogs myself. They are free in some cases, you're able to interact with your visitors, and as you said, search engines do like them. WordPress does make it so easy too. Great article!
Melanie,
Lynn is once again dead-on! The most important thing you can do is to start. No matter what you do it will be better than nothing at all-which only helps to make that fear grow by the way-and you can ALWAYS fix anything and make it better. Nothing you can do with WordPress can't be fixed and there are so many people both here and around the internet that know WordPress cold and are willing to help. Of course, the best place to look would be in your niche so you can kill two birds with one stone and make a connection while you're getting help.
Jeff
I can't tell you how important these reminders from you to 'JUST DO' are!! Quit reading, quit learning, quit thinking about it - and just do it!!
Thanks, Lynn!
You're right. The most important thing to consider in order to be successful is to take an action. Usually, people tend to keep on seeking information without even practicing it to prove if these information are effective.
I've been a web designer for 15 years. I completely agree with the 'just do it' mind set required for any successful web presence. While web pages are a bit more complex and technically challenging for most users than the simple WordPress solution, they provide much more flexibility, creativity and robustness than a blog.
Also, keep in mind that there is no law stating that websites and blogs must be mutually exclusive. You can have a wordpress blog designed into your site and you can have webpages on your wordpress blog.
I think the term I would like to drop would be 'static.' It implies an unchanging and bland web page. A good web designer can create a living breathing web site, complete with blogs, testimonials, chats, ecommerce and state-of-the-art effects.
I recommend reading "The Website Owners Manual" by Paul Boag. He gives GREAT information for handling your own web site even if you have no clue how to code.
Melanie here..thank you so much lynne for your detailed reply it has helped me alot and put a smile on my face today... just to answer you my 'little experience' with web design was a website I designed 4/5 years ago (with my friend)using netscape think it was composer?? so just still a little familar with it but am actually attracted to the idea of a blog..
I have heard it is possible to have a blog look similar to a static website which appeals to me (just dont want it to look so blog if you know what I mean 😉 ) is that just part of the choices you have once you pick a theme? or is it more coding or things to buy? By the way I actually own a domain name with 'Bluehost' can I use wordpress with them? they have cpanel I believe or would you still recc 'Hostgator' I will check out your posts on blogs/wordpress so I can see where to start from now and educate myself on that side of things as I have what I think is a good crasp on SEO,keywords, social networking...
As a last note you have made my day as I promised I would do 3 things today for my new venture and one was write to you and so I am very pleased to have the reply to help me with taking a step today so big thanks from me 🙂
Ack - I remember the Netscape Composer days from back in the 90's 😛 LOL. You would definitely want to work with something more stable & up to date if you choose to create a quality website now.
Check with BlueHost and see if they have cPanel and the ability to install WordPress using Fantastico (should be right there in your cPanel). If you do - use what you have. Especially if they allow you to do add-on domains at no additional charge. HostGator does, with an account for only 9.95/mo I have dozens of domains/sites/blogs on the one account.
So glad you found this helpful, Melanie! 😀
Melanie it's very smart of you to check out your options and even smarter to ask Lynn for advice on which way to go!
You can definitely make a blog 'look' like a website Melanie by using Pages and not just Posts. See how Lynn has pages up top of this site like 'About', 'Hot Topics' & 'Reviews'. Those are pages and there is no special plugin or fees to pay to set those up. You can also have pages without comments so they look less like a blog page.
Bluehost has a program within cpanel called 'Simple Scripts' that you can use to easily install WordPress.
oh sorry one last thing I am unsure... when you start to write for your website/blog where should you start..for instance if you had a website with say 10 catorgories (that you came up with under your niche subject) you cant fill them all up with information at once is it best to concentrate one what catorgory/subject using good keywords until you have a few articles under that particular catorgory then move onto the next...or write 1-2 posts/pages for each catorgory you have (still using good keywords)until your site looks busy and starts to build up? I hope you can understand what I am asking as I am not sure I have explained it clearly?? thanks
Great question!
With WordPress, you can go ahead and create each of your categories. The categories won't actually show up on your blog unless they have a post in them - so you don't have to worry about empty categories being displayed.
So create the categories, then begin creating content. Assign it to the proper category. As you put content in each category, it will display publicly there on your blog.
Tim Ferris suggests that you rename Categories as Topics.
Thanks for the suggestion Ivan. Just changed my own. 'Topics' is much friendlier to the casual reader. 'Categories' really is jargon.
Andy
Hi,
yes my friend is a bit dated (but quick to design something simple) but I was thinking the same thing about netscape..we have to move with the ever so quick internet..I think maybe I am just worrying to much I will not understand anything with wordpress but there is lots of help out there and here 😉 so I will go take a look..thank you again..I look forward to updating you with my progress..
oh great I get that! if you only have a couple of posts at first but they are SEO'd well if you get visitors are they likely to ever come back when you dont have much at first to show/give a first how do you keep them popping back in the early stages..you know hold their interest as I have losts in my head but limited time at first but I know where I see the site going...maybe I am jumping ahead just need to get it up and get filling it up I suppose..:)
Thanks guys for your comments too it is nice to feel the support and that my questions are not seen as stupid..I am off to check our wordpress and all it has to offer and my 'bluehost' account. Have a great day to everyone I am sure I will be back soon 🙂
Lmm your right on about taking action NOW
I have found blogs as the way to go myself. When I first started affiliate marketing I built traditional websites using Dreamweaver (very powerful, but what a learning curve!). Later I started adding blogs to some of them almost as an after thought.
After some time working with the blog format, I started building all my websites as blogs. I also now drive all traffic to the older sites directly to their respective blogs.
I also build blog websites for people who want to promote themselves or their product or passion. It's a very cost effective route for folks to go because they can do their own updates instead of paying a webmaster to make updates. This has become a new revenue source for my biz and I get lots of experience with different layouts and themes (I use StudioPress themes.)
In case someone else didn't cover it, Bluehost does have Fantastico in cPanel. It will install WordPress for you in seconds.
A WP blog [and any blog platform, in general] is easy to play with. I no basic html and used a few top WYSIWYG type of tools but found self-hosted WP very easy to learn. It took me 3 weeks to learn its ins and outs.
I think Lynn's tutorial is a great start for wannabe bloggers
P.S. For site building XSitePro is the real-deal [Dreamweaver's alternative to newbies]. Although it's not as easy to use as WP, you are dependent on your computer to use it.
I would hazard a guess that most people would agree with Lynn re WordPress being a lot easier to get started with. If you venture down the route of selling things online,things probably change a little but there's no reason not to have both the WordPress blog and website together complimenting each other.
Either option will have it's learning curve and to be honest their is not a 'one answer suits all' solution but I personally would always go down the WordPress route for simplicity 🙂
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
I'd just like to say Thank You Melanie for asking really great questions!
Thank you Lynne for your comprehensive answers.
Such a useful post and much appreciated.
Lots of GREAT info in here and I love the varied opinions. I started first with a website, because BLOGs were non existent, for the most part, 10 years ago. So, by the time I got to the BLOG, my websites had great rankings, traffic and exposure so why get rid of them.
I added a blog and now use my blog VERY generically and direct people to my website to learn more about doing business with me.
Works out well.
Not really a right or wrong, just different methods!
EXPECT Success!
Jackie Ulmer
One of things is that if you are set on creating an actual 'website' is that you can still do that with wordpress (and it will allow you to easily update information). I would still recommend a blog though.
I heard lots of WordPress here. What about Blogger? Which one is easier than to build the blog? Thanks.
I would say it's a good bit easier to set up a blog with Blogger. Easier isn't always better, though. With a self-hosted WordPress installation, you have many more options for themes and useful plugins. You can easily set up an autoresponder form for list-building. You also have complete control. If you use the Blogger free hosting, you are at the mercy of their rules or whims. Most serious marketers I know have self-hosting for their main site and use Blogger, Squidoo and others for link-building.
Thanks Wade. I will try to go to WP next step.
I have both static sites and blog sites, and I have to say I prefer to use wordpress over building a site in HTML. There are also ways to make wordpress a static site with an added blog.
So impressive! I'm actually a newbie here and want to know, learn and create a blog for my business. I have read other guidelines on this but for some sorts, I can't put on my first blog. Thanks lyn, you did detailed steps and valuable tips and tactics.
Hi Lynn,
I came here by accident from Michael Fortin's site and I must say WOW!
you have some amazing content and I really like your style of writing! Plus I just realized you are part of 30DC and Ed Dale. I have been following Ed for the last 18 months.
I will definitely be back here soon to learn from you.
Kind Regards
Jacinta Dean 😀
(An Aussie mum trying to create a business online while her nearly 3 year old sleeps 🙂 )
Some very good questions in deed Melanie. We get questions like this all the time at Berries and Cream and we recommend BluehHost or Hostgator as well to our clients with WordPress.
Someone asked why not Blogger? Many of our clients come to us and say they have outgrown Blogger and want something more reliable. WordPress is more flexible and you have more control over your website. And it is easy to use, looks more professional and you can put up whatever you want and don't need to learn DreamWeaver or any other HTML program.
Melanie,
Whatever you decide, I would suggest you check out my 137 page FREE Ebook on Do it yourself web design for beginners. I am a professional web developer by profession and I recently wrote a book about self-employment. I wrote the EBook as a way to take all my experience as book a developer and a technical writer and create a manual that would get straight to the point about what a beginner needs to know. It tells you everything you need to know without going into any background material. I discovered this kind of honest and easy to digest information was really needed when I was doing a blog tour for my book and everyone asked me web questions. Anyway, please check it out. It is free and I really think it will help you. It covers everythinig from selecting a domain name to doing your own SEO. Go to http://www.custsolutions.net to download a free copy. Good luck Melanie.
Sara Morgan
Nice post Lynn,
I agree - when you create a blog theres a whole social element that sort of comes with the install! It's great to interact with other bloggers, and the whole blogging community is full of interesting people! Good luck with your site Melanie!
-Paul
Great post and discussion. It depends on what you really want. With blogs you can get more interaction and be a part of the blogging community filled with interesting people. Goodluck to you.
Sarah thanks for the info on the free ebook and thank you all for your well wishes with regards to my site! I am feeling more determined as I read the comments so thanks everyone! Blog world here I come 🙂
Melanie,
Define the purpose of your online business first before deciding if you'll create a blog or a theme-based content website. If you're committed to frequently adding new content and interacting with your visitors create a blog. If you want to build an online business around a particular theme that contains evergreen content and maintains its rankings in the search engines, build a theme-based content website.
Here are 7 differences between a blog and a website
1. Updating content
If you don't add new content on a regular basis your blog will join the 1000s of abandoned blogs on the net. A website may contain evergreen content that doesn't need constant updating. For example a tutorial has timeless value for your visitors. Even if you don't update the website the content is still relevant.
2. Search engine rankings
New content on a blog may immediately appear in the search engines however after a few hours or days it has lost its rankings. Content on a website maintains its rankings due to its themed structure. Blog content is not linked together but rather stacked on top of each other. Only the latest post can be seen and receives a temporary ranking.
3. Website structure
Writing content for a blog tends to be based on personal opinions, lastest news or events whereas a website tends to be theme-based. The structure of a website allows all pages to be linked together so all pages relate to the theme of the website.
4. Accessibility of content
Only the latest post or the last few posts are displayed on the front page. To view older posts the visitor has to dig through the archives or site map. The themed structure of a website enables visitors to easily access and view all the content.
5. Bounce rate
Blog visitors read the newest post then leave. Theme-based websites tend to keep visitors longer as they explore the content more deeply. The content helps pre-sell the visitor.
6. Software upgrades
Blogs run on software like WordPress that constantly need upgrading to fix security flaws. You'll either have to learn how to do this yourself or pay someone to do it for you every time there's a new upgrade. Websites are built with html pages that can be stored on your computer. If you lose your files on the server you will still have a copy on your computer. If you lose the blog files on the server you'll lose all the content stored in the database unless you constantly create backups stored on your computer.
7. Number of files on the server
Blogs contain 100s of files stored in a database. These files need to be accessed from the server which often slows the loading time of the blog. if one of these files gets corrupted it may affect the entire blog. If your blog gets hacked you will lose all your files.
A website only consists of html pages thus reducing your load times. If it gets hacked you can quickly restore the files stored on your computer.
Best Wishes
What an inspiring post and a fantastic example of what a great community looks like with all these great comments.
I would definitely agree with the simplicity of cpanel wordpress setup it is pretty much point and click. I helped a complete novice with their wordpress at the weekend and they couldn't believe how simple it was!
Good luck getting started....
Personally I think it is best to combine the two approaches. You can create a website that looks decent that still runs on a WordPress theme like Thesis to achieve your goals.
For start I think you can go to http://wordpress.org/ and try to get a free one first, the aim is get yourself comfortable how to post, edit and write, and play around with it. Max will take you 2-3 hours, then you're away. you need to conquer you fear of the "new technology".
The register your name as a domain.
then choose a hosting company.
after you've done that, you need to put your domain and point to your hosting company, if you need more help. let me know. I'm happy to help or you can contact the helpdesk there, they should about to show you how to do that in 1 min.
THen you install your own wordpress blog, it just need a few click, then it's done.
I suggest you start with a blog. Get good content, and you can place your deals on different blog post for start.
most important, get things going, you can fine tune it later. and there are many people willing to help you, if you are stuck.
Maybe another thing that may help with your fear of getting started is to remember that a blog or a website is a work in progress and will undoubtedly change over the years - Clicknewz has changed dramatically recently. As you get more comfortable with WordPress and also with what your readers want, you will continually improve your blog and such an evolution cannot help but to better serve your readers.
Also have fun with it!
Herman you make some good points as to why I have in my mind been mostly swayed towards a static site with the option in the future to add a blog IF/when I feel. I know a couple of people who have good success with there static sites and article marketing and that was what first appealed to me but then you get the rush of the internet information highway and it all becomes too much 🙂 but I will get there I am determined 🙂 I know as time goes on I will have blogs and websites I am sure but as this is my first affiliate site that it why I wanted feedback on the two different options..by the way as a website designer do you have any thoughts on serif webplus X4 I have a friend who uses this for there website and would be happy to do mine until I can beat the learning curve myself if you know what I mean 🙂
Thanks again for the helpful replies it does help me feel I am progressing even if just a little..
I think blogs and websites are both important for promoting their business
Agreed... I think both are important.
That said, if I had to pick I'd say a wordpress blog for sure. It's such an easy platform to get started on and with the right plugins it can be a search engine magnet.
In the online world it's all about the speed... the quicker you can get your message out the better - wordpress just makes it so easy.
Cheers
David Jenyns
Ps. My hot tip is the Thesis theme - we're using it on a whole bunch of our feeder sites and it's the best I've tried.
I think one should always go for a blog , its easier to maintain , run and create. Just head over to wordpress or blogger.
I think the blogs are better than webpages because you can more easely edit them and get traffic
I think it is important to have both blog and website
I really feel stupid that I have not opened a blog till now. Will really start up a blog now.
I was terrified of Word Press and it took me a year to pluck up courage to begin. I'm still not an expert but as a non-technical person it was not as difficult as I imagined. Plus the benefits against other sites are enormous. As Lynn says there is also huge amounts of help available.
Just do it! You won't regret it.
As for fear of getting started... It's RESISTANCE!
Run out right now, or go online, and get a copy of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It's a quick read and should help you see through the tricks that your mind/ego are playing on you to keep you from acting.
Good luck,
Andy
"Web site or blog?" You're asking the wrong question! Even two years ago, "website or blog" was a valid question. Today, the question to ask is "What platform will I use to publish on the web?"
I recommend wordpress to all my clients, from solo self-employed to small businesses. It's easy to get started in. It's highly flexible.There's an amazing variety of free plugins available (and the number grows daily.) which allows even a new web site owner to create and manage a very sophisticated site. The cost of development is lower, ranging from free (if you host at wordpress and DIY) to less than an html site, if you work with a webmaster. There's a huge, free wordpress forum where people will answer questions about anything you get stuck on, something you won't find for html sites. And because wordpress is open source, it's constantly being updated and improved. This means your site design and performance will never grow stale.
Use of wordpress is totally free! It takes an investment of time to learn to use it, but so does every publishing platform. You may as well learn to use the one that will take you into the future, rather than leave you sitting by the side of the road wondering why, after all your hard work, you got left behind.
I think taking action is the key. Don't get stuck in the paralysis of analysis. Get started moving in one direction (I'd suggest you do the log instead of static site). You can make corrections, and even switch gears,later without a lot of cost or hassle.
Wow Lynne and to the many people who have posted above, thank you heaps. I have a so called "static" website, which I have owned for almost 6 years, which now has a CMS (contact management system) that I operate daily to sell my products from this site. 12 months ago I started hooking up to and researching Internet Marketing ideas on the net and now I am just starting out to set up a separate Blog site which I will use to do other online marketing and to direct traffic back to my "static" website. I too suffer from hesitation and "what ifs" and information overload, but all this is about to change as I am ready to take action. Keep me posted on your progress Melanie.
Thanks Melanie, these are reassuring questions that you have proposed and I suggest that you check out the sites on some from the above commentators as there is lots more reading there for you too, but above all, like me we need to just "take action" and do it!!
If this is your first time to create a blog you can try to use free blogs from Blogger or from Worpdress. Then you must know what is the purpose of your blog. If you want to blog for money, problogger and other related sites can help you.
Great article. To answer the question; You create an information interaction site. basically a blog+ a whole lot more. I think every successful site must have some key features these include ways to interact with both the writer and other readers. It also must give readers ways to share what they have found with others such as social bookmarking, Twitter, Facebook etc. You will know when your blog or site is successful when a community forms around it.
wow! i just died and went to heaven. i have been researching, reading, downloading and uploading everything i could find to help me start my life's passion in my blog/website. but... still i've done nothing, until now, i thought i was alone in the scared to start category, and have been too embarassed to ask for help. but you all have given me the "push" i've needed for a long time. thank you all, and especially you lynn, i've been here for a short while and have finally found a place to call home. chris malta speaks very favorably of you, he sent me here. i'll be in touch. thanks again!
I would say to have both. Blogs can generate traffic and interest as well as give you a consolidated place for content creation, while your website can highlight static thoughts and content which will be the core of your theme. For me, I update my Guitarmann Blog with tips on how to play the guitar, but my site, Guitarmann is a resource of video lessons.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks so much to you and to everyone who has commented on the "website vs. blog" debate.
I have a static website which uses a wordpress platform. It was a first attempt at internet marketing, so I've learn a lot. My next venture will be a blog instead of a static website, however I will use the blog to drive traffic to my other sites.
For anyone starting, I really do recommend the wordpress platform. The plug-ins make building and managing a site so much easier. The WordPress community is pretty friendly, and very open about sharing information.