Internet Entrepreneurs: Do You Need a Website or a Blog to Make Money Online?

In the article, What’s the Difference Between a Website and a Blog, I tackle the question, “Do you really need a new blog, or a website.” Both are simply web presences. But, the devil is in the details. In this case, it’s how each is used.

Blogs offer some distinct advantages over websites, which is why they’re the perfect medium for making money online. Following are two primary advantages.

2 Advantages Blogs Have Over Websites When It Comes to Internet Marketing

Interaction: In the aforementioned article, one of the primary differences noted between a blog and a website is interactivity, ie:

A blog and a website are both simply websites. But, blogs have an interactivity about them that most websites don’t. Plugins like “Most Recent Posts;” “Most Popular Posts;” “Related Posts/Entries;” and “Last Post by This Blogger” all encourage interaction.

And, when you thinking of selling anything – online or off — what is it that usually has to be developed first? A relationship. If you’re an avid reader of my articles, then you’ve probably read one of my foundational beliefs about marketing which is,

Consumers buy from those the know, like and trust. To get them to like and trust you, they have to first come to know you. Blogs begin this process by encouraging readers to interact with you.

Websites tend to be more staid entities – kind of an aloof stranger if you will – when compared to blogs. This is why blogs tend to be better sales vehicles for internet entrepreneurs.

Ease of Setup and Use: Blogs are easy to setup and use. With free platforms like Wordpress and Blogger, you can literally be up and running in minutes. When I started my blog back in February 2005, I was amazed at how quickly I had it set up.

I tend to be a tech neophyte (I literally abhor technology!), so give me something easy and breezy please. You get this with blogs. You don’t have to worry about signing up with a host, domain name registration, transferring domain name servers, uploading files, FTP programs, etc. It’s all done for you. Usually, a few clicks of the mouse is all you need to set up a blog — and your online business is off and running!

Now, as mentioned in Monday’s post, Internet Marketers: How to Know When It’s Time to Change Your Blog’s Design, at some point you will want to change your blog’s design, for example. But when you first start out, using free blogging platforms and templates to launch your internet entrepreneurial dreams can be just the boost you need to get you in the game.

You can always register an official domain name and transfer your blog over once you can afford to.

A Blog or a Website? The Bottom Line for Internet Entrepreneurs

The bottom line for internet entrepreneurs when trying to decide between a blog and a website is this – a blog is simply a web presence. If you goal is to convince visitors to buy, a blog is the perfect way to begin that relationship – which leads to trust and online sales.

Written by Yuwanda Black from Inkwell Editorial
Posted on November 5th, 2008 and filed under Making Money
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