Website Vs. Blog: Pros and Cons Unveiled

You've been dying to get some solid online presence, yeah? But you're faced with the dilemma of going for a blog or a website. How do you solve your problem? Let's differentiate a website from a blog and see where it will get you.

A website is known as an Internet application that houses a combination of texts, images and flash messages or animation. A web log or a blog is a part of a website that is usually known as online journal.

Here is a simple dissection of the various points that will show the pros and cons of a website compared to a blog:

1. A website versus a blog in terms of navigation.

A website's navigation is often likened to that of a book. Its main index is the homepage where the key topics are referenced. A web log or a blog is usually navigated through links to previous or next entries shown either at the start or end of each blog post.

If those links can't be found, a blogs sidebar/s aid in navigating it. A common web log's sidebar has a segment entitled "Pages", which usually contains the "About" portion of the blog and other non-time-sensitive information. Other segments of a blogs sidebar include the "Archives" which are sets of posts in regards to the dates they were posted. A "Categories" segment is also a mainstay of the sidebar. Also, a blog roll or a list of external links may be included in the sidebar. The reverse chronological order of blog posts is the norm.

2. A website versus a blog in terms of update-ability.

A website presents static content. It could link to a news page if it wants to offer fresh info every now and then or even regularly. But with the advent of blog, the popularity of news pages has turned into being surmounted by blogs. Blogs are the more updated chronicles. This feature of blog is attributed to the content management system that blog applications come with.

With websites, nerve-wracking HTML tweaking with the use of a web editing application is required before you can update them. As with blogs, platforms that concentrate more on content get rid of the rigors of working out HTML codes before you can publish.

3. A website versus a blog in terms of web usability.

Web usability refers to how to increase the conversion rate with the user-friendliness of an application.

Usability-wise, a blog may not differ that much from a website. However, due to the ease of use of a blog and since it's also relatively easier to customize with all the ready templates, altering stuff to make it more helpful to visitors is also a lot less-taxing compared to a website that requires design skills and copywriting skills.

However, there are still some usability issues that bloggers need to address to be more effective in the field of blogging such as: hyper linking without the proper or identifying anchor links, not including an author's biography page or a well-stated "About Us/Me" page, not-so-great posts and post titles, no author photo, great posts buried, etc. If one wishes to become a well known or as a credible figure in the field he or she is blogging about, those aspects of an excellent blog need to be given proper attention.

4. A website versus a blog in terms of author-reader interaction.

Blogs have this commentary feature where readers can leave a comment to any post they want to react to. The author of the blog can easily interact by also leaving a comment that's directed the commenter. With that feature, a blog offers more for the author-reader dialog compared to a website. However, a website usually has a "Contact Us" page where an electronic mail can be sent to the webmaster or department concerned.

In conclusion, if you will be offering information that does not require regular updating, a website may just serve you well. But if you want more interaction going on and frequent updates without going over the fuss of HTML mess, a blog will work it out for you. But did you know that these two could also go hand in hand? Just do your homework and it will be an easy feat to work with either of these two applications.

The above article was written by Nicole Staffanson on behalf of http://www.babygiftstation.com, a Baby Footprint Handprint Keepsakes & New Baby Gift Baskets online store specializing in Baby Einstein Gift Baskets, Organic Baby Toys and other baby gifts and couture.