Is it a blog or a website?

In an effort to keep websites current and blogs active, many webmasters are opting to create combination websites/blogs. After all, the purpose of the blog is to promote the website, so it is a natural evolution for a website and blog to be combined.

Blogger makes this combination easy. If you sign into the blogger dashboard of your new or existing blog, you can choose the template option. For the heading, you can upload a banner in place of the title bar if you choose. Under that, you can add text boxes that you would normally have on a website. You can add link sections to take to your web store, or to contact information. You can add anything you please.

Personally, I like for the page to look like a normal website at first glance. (with the exception of the blogger bar at the top). At the very bottom of the screen, I like for the title of the first post to peek out, giving the viewer a hint of something more below. As I add new posts, that headline will show and change and the updates to my blog will keep my website active and keep it at the top of the Google rankings.

Components of a blog/website are business and contact information, a sales component, and a sales pitch or information (for informational websites)

Examples of blog/websites

http://www.ahermitt.com/

http://womenofgwinnett.blogspot.com/

http://www.freehomeed.com/

http://printpattern.blogspot.com/

http://www.loosetooth.com/Shop/shop.php3

http://crystalcreates.blogspot.com/ is leaning toward a good combination of the two

With Today's blog templates there is no limit to what you can create.

Read more about blogging for business below:

More on blogging

Why Blog?

More on blogging

Andrea wrote yesterday about blogging. I wanted to add my proverbial two cents in, as you all know I tend to do!

When I first considered blogging, I had no idea why anyone would want to read what I had to say. I still kind of wonder why they want to read what I write, but that's their business! :)

A lady who was in our networking group told me that what was holding me back was the fear of not being good enough, and to just forget about that fear and start writing. So I did. I thought I would blog about 4 days and then I'd run out of content, but now it's been over 4 years.
I still draw a blank sometimes, and that's okay.

I have had people visit my website through the links on my blog. In between the personal touch of the blog and my website, I think it takes away the intimidation people feel when they want to contact any business through their site. I do pencil portraits and I feel portraiture is a very personal kind of 'product,' so anything that helps people feel my personality and feel comfortable emailing or calling me is a good thing.

If you are considering starting a business blog, the best advice I can give you is to remember that the blog is like a conversation. It's a two-way street. Make sure your blog is set up so people can comment. You can usually set up the blog so you can approve the comments before they are posted to protect against spam and general meanies. Imagine you are visiting with them and just chatting. Use your 'real' voice. Don't use words like 'enable,' 'utilize,' 'paradigm,' etc if that isn't the way you really speak. Don't call me either, if you do speak that way. I will not be able to understand you. Use small, simple words, and enunciate clearly. Remember, I am an artist.

My blog can be found here: LINK