What’s a Blog?

I have a poll on the main web site asking if folks were blogging yet; I was surprised that a couple folks answered they didn’t know what a blog was. I put that answer on there mostly to be funny, but I guess in all seriousness, some really don’t know about blogging.

So to bring those folks up to speed: a blog is an online web-log. If you’re reading this, you’re reading a blog. :-) A blog can be many things, depending on who is doing the writing, but in general, a blog is an interactive journal/commentary/article about whatever the blog author wants to write about. Usually, comments are allowed to be posted by site visitors, providing interaction and feedback between the blog author and site visitors. Site visitors can also subscribe to your blog via RSS (Really Simple Feed) and can then get updates via their RSS Feed Reader (I like to use My Yahoo! for that). Let me say, search engines love RSS feeds! If you write on a regular basis to your blog, providing good information, relevant to your site and/or topic niche, then the search engines will find your site and traffic will start to flow!

Now let’s talk about topic niche: blogs can be about anything; but it’s best if you have a niche, a more specific topic of interest for your blog. My blog is mainly about ecommerce web design, but also about some general web design related topics. This blog topic you’re reading is a more generalized web design topic, but is relevant to anyone not yet blogging. (so if you aren’t blogging, and would like to start, let me know and I can get you setup with a blog! :-) ) When you decide to setup your blog, it’s best to do so on a topic that you like, are knowledgable about and could show your expertise in that area. For an example: flyfishing, homemaking, parenting, dogs, pottery, bargain shopping, writing, etc…. These are more general topic areas; however, the more specific your topic, the better. I have blogs also on Shih Tzus and Christian Homemaking. Two other things near and dear to me.

The most logical topic for your blog would be your business. If you already have a business, then blog about what you do in your business. Do you sell soap? Blog about soapmaking. Do you make a craft? Blog about your particular craft. Are you a business rep for another company? Blog about being a business rep.

Blogging for a Cause: you can also blog on things not business related, but a social, cultural or grassroots cause. Breast cancer, global warming, politics, religion - or whatever! There’s really no limit, it’s all up to you.

Just remember, if you start a blog, you need to write to it on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be daily, but at least once or twice a week is good. So it’s a time commitment; but one well worth the undertaking.

Okay, so now you know the essence of what a blog is, here’s the kicker: a blog can actually be a whole web site! A blog is really nothing more than a content management system (CMS). Most blog software has the ability to let you have web pages outside of the blog section of the software. I use WordPress for this blog, and it has that ability. I love WordPress and it’s themes, which allow you to integrate it well within your existing site design, or of course, you can make the blog look like anything you want.

So a blog can be just a blog, or part of your existing web site or a whole web site built using the blog software. Sweet! The best part is, once the blog is setup, you don’t need to know html to use it! It has an html editor, so you just type, hit Publish and you’re good to go. Can’t get much easier than that. :-)

January 21, 2006 | Filed Under General Comments 

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