Blog or Website? Which one do I need...

Many moons ago websites were the only thing that a business or person had to showcase his business or expertise (on the Internet).
Now with the advent and explosion of blogs many people have chosen to use blogs over websites
.
Depending on your business and what you are trying to achieve most businesses need both.

There are exceptions to every rule, however, using both will give you a big advantage over using one over the other.

What is the difference?

There is a big difference – a website is a carefully thought out and executed store (for lack of a better word). It is like a corporate office or an exclusive piece of property. The look and feel of the interfaces are branded to attract your perfect clients and to create an experience for the visitor. The domain name is an important piece of your branding as well and should be an extension of the business.

A blog on the other hand is more of a social networking site. A blog can brand you as the expert in a certain field or gradually help you to become a well known personality. It has constantly changing content and is made to interact with visitors.
It is like inviting someone into your home or to a coffee shop to chat or to tell them about things they find interesting or useful. A blog can have its own domain name but it is of less importance – that it be named a business name.

A website and a blog go together hand in hand.

Well built websites selling services and/or products will stay pretty static. While a blog will back link to your website and provide the communication so vital to keeping in touch with your clients and potential clients, it also helps push up you rankings on the search engines.

A website will provide stable communication – on task messages about your product and/or service as well as various other items such as online portfolio, testimonials, e-commerce store, ability to accept payment through merchant accounts, policy and warranty information etc. Anyone can set up a blog, sometimes it can be a challenge to make it look professional.

A website takes a lot more time, work and money. This works in your favor if you are trying to portray a successful image (or you are successful and want them to know that).

I hope this clears up your confusion – and helps sort out the debating; I see going on in cyberspace – to blog or not to blog:

Should I blog? (YES BLOG)

Is a website the same as a blog? (NO IT IS NOT).Do I need both? (MOST PROBABLY!)


Pamela Jacob - Artista Design
801-910-4825

The Truth About Websites

I have been in this business long enough to know that a lot of business owners – think of a website as a side bar, an annoyance or even a down right aggravation. A website is actually a god sent and when one looks at it in the right perspective it is crystal clear – those businesses that are on the up and up and/or have a fantastic product or service to give the community are the big winners in the Internet community.

When a website is built right the first time and all the necessary components are put into place, When you have thoroughly outline your goals before you build your website - it is astonishing how much this tool (your website) can expand your business, it will move you above and beyond your competition.

I am sure after reading the list outlined below, if you happen to be one of those business owners who dread dealing with the internet you will soon change your mind.

9 Things a great website will do for your business!

1. Attract your target customer in a way nothing else can.

2. Expand your business hours to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

3. Reduce load on your employees while giving you another way to conduct business.

4. Reduce advertising expenses and/or expensive paper catalogs for your company products.

5. Provide your customers with information they might need, whenever they want it.

6. Get customer feedback and other information using email, online surveys or polls.

7. Build an online database that can be automatically programmed for marketing campaigns. This will keep your name in front of potential customers/clients.

8. Expand your company's brand name awareness locally, nationally and worldwide. Branding, Branding, Branding!

9. Create viral marketing campaigns using you email database – giving incentives to customers who refer new potential customers to your website… You need to find a really good web professional – one who is well rounded, been around for some time and knows more than great design - (KNOW'S what they are talking about and KNOW'S how to market a website and attract your target market).

Find a web professional who you can consider a partner in your business that has an interest in helping make your business successful – a genuine interest. Trust me you will usually have an instinct that will tell you if the professional you are talking to is really interested in your business success.!

If you want a great website chances are your web professional will not be the cheapest one on the block, but they should not nickel and dime you to death or cost you a fortune either. A website is an investment in your business, it is a must have business expense that will be recouped year after year – you will make much more than you layout…

Guaranteed..

Pamela Jacob is the owner of Artista Design. Being in business for well over a decade she delights in helping others achieve the success that she has enjoyed. For a free consultation please email her at

pamela@artistadesign.com

The Secret to Great Idea's Coming to LIfe

Pre-Production - Step 1 Project Definition: How many of you really take the time to plan your website thoroughly? Do you really sit down and develop a strategy – a plan. It does take a lot more time to actually define a project but that is what building a strong foundation is all about. With a strong foundation you will be able to build a website that is robust and will be a money magnet because it will be exactly what your customers are looking for. Sit down with real knowledge of who your target audience is and what this website will do. Do you want a website that will collect leads? Do you want an E-Commerce site that will actually be an online store – are you selling a service? Are you a non-profit organization? Do you want a marketing website? Do you want to become well known and want to get your name out... This is where a really good web developer comes in, they can help you define what your project goals are and if you would be better working in phases or building your website all at once. In my experience (and I have had years of experience!). A website is a work in progress, it is ever evolving and will grow and change with time. Everyone involved in developing the website must understand all aspects of what is being developed – the size, scope, schedule and goals (long term as well as short range) of the site. Questions That Help Define the Project. 1. What is the content of the site 2. What will make this site successful? Hits? Publicity? Revenue? 3. Who is the user? Young, Conservative, Wealthy? 4. Why will a user visit the site? 5. What are the bandwidth considerations? Can you rely on plug-ins? 6. Is there a particular event driving the launch? Once you have all this information compiled you can now begin to map out your site and its contents... It may take more time but it is well worth it... To ask questions contact me pamela@artistadesign.com