Ask Scott Fox: Web Site vs. Blog Hosting?

Dear Scott,
Can a business use a blog instead of a web site? For businesses that simply need a web presence to provide information, such as an attorney, insurance agent, or consultant, can a blog be used rather than a website? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What platform would you recommend?
Thanks,
Caroline

Scott Fox's Answer:

Dear Caroline,

The distinctions between blogs and web sites are disappearing. Traditionally a blog was more "post-based", while a web site was more about "web pages". But as everyone online updates their sites more frequently, it turns out that the easy posting and content management tools of blogs work very well for web sites, too.

Because businesses such as the attorneys, insurance agents, and consultants you mention are more likely to need to communicate basic, evergreen info than fancy design or e-commerce functionality,  blogs could likely work just fine for them.

I've found that using a browser-based blog editing system to create and maintain a web site is a great solution, especially for newbies or small business owners who don't have the time, interest, or resources to worry about server maintenance, FTP, and the many other technical details that often accompany running your own site.

In fact, this winter I moved this very site, ScottFox.com, from a traditional web host (IPW) to a blog host, Typepad, because the blog updating tools make it so much easier to administer.

At first I did this just as an experiment in researching my next book (a sequel to Internet Riches). But I soon found that keeping the main site separate from my blog was unnecessary.

As my frequent readers know, I now recommend Typepad to my books/blog/radio audience both for "blogs" and for basic "web sites" because the tools are essentially interchangeable.

There's an extensive review/discussion of Typepad's pros & cons at the link below. Wordpress.com also seems to have improved its offerings substantially recently, so we're currently looking at that platform for further review/coverage in my blogs, too.

I hope that's helpful.

Scott Fox

http://www.websitetoolreviews.com/2008/03/bestsitehosting.html

Comments

[Maggie Marshall]

Scott-I read you book, but have a question. I want to create an efficiency business but I don't know how to connect the customers with the products. I want to review and display all kinds of products. Do I need permission and how do I get paid? Thanks-Maggie

[Caroline]

Scott,
Thank you for taking the time to answer and also for confirming what I thought to be true! I provide online marketing for several clients and have seen them taken advantage of by web design companies because of their naivety of search engines, websites, etc.
I am considering offering this service to a few clients who have never even heard of a blog, so I really wanted to confirm my own belief that in certain situations, it is actually a more useful tool.
I am looking forward to exploring your blog, ebook, etc... I am continually looking for proper information on best practices. There is such an excess if SEO junk out there that it is almost impossible to weed through it all.
I am now trying to decide between wordpress and typepad....
Thanks again!
Caroline Barry

[Scott Fox]

To Maggie:
An efficiency business is a good place to start. Your question doesn't give enough detail to give you a full response but I think that Affiliate Programs may be helpful to you.
If you sign up with Commission Junction, for example, they will give you ads for top quality products that you can then promote online in exchange for a sales commission.
So you can pick specific niche products to efficiently deliver them to your niche audience without having to worry about inventory, shipping, customer service, etc.
Zlio is another service that could be helpful to you to construct your own niche boutique. Visit WebSiteToolReviews.com and click on "Instant Stores" for more info on that service.
Hope that helps,
Scott

[Jeff Paul]

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[Jeff Paul Scam]

Great article. I guess the only difference between a traditional marketer and an internet marketer is that traditional marketer talk and internet marketers listen