Customized Blogs
For time-sensitive information
About Blogs | Is Blogging Right for You? | WordPress
Custom Blogging Software | A Custom Designed Blog
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A blog is an informational website consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (posts). Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page.
— Wikipedia
About Blogs
“Web logs” (or blogs) are an online platform where you can post thoughts, opinions and more.
Blogs have less structure than websites and therefore more conducive to time-sensitive topics. Blog posts are listed in reverse date order making the age of content is clear to the viewer.
Blogs are NOT websites, although they can be customized to perform that function.
There are various methods of hosting a blog. Which one works best depends upon you, your goals and the skills at your disposal.
Share Your Expertise
Blogs allow you to present your expertise in a less-formal atmosphere than a website.
This allows you to develop a following based upon your expertise. It can provide businesses a great opportunity to educate clients or potential customers in more depth about the your products or services.
Leverage Social Media
Because they are a series of discreet posts, you can easily reference a specific post containing details about a concept or event.
You can Post comments on other blogs or social media with a link back to your post about a relevant topic.
NOT Date-sensitive
Because blogs post in date order, expectations are different. Older information doesn't appear “stale” like it can on a website.
Blogs are great for posting time-sensitive information like sales events, book launches, readings, arts events, etc.
Such postings can be left on the blog for historical reference or can be removed without endangering the blog purpose or structure. This provides you with more flexibility.
Writing Skills Needed
That said, you need to be able to write engaging material if you wish to capture and retain your market.
- Employ proper grammar and spelling.
- Educate, don't sell (that's what your website is for).
- Be original. Don't plagiarize.
- Cite your quoted sources.
- Update regularly to engage and attract loyal readership.
Done properly, your blog can become a tremendous asset.
Is Blogging Right for You?
WordPress and similar Content Management System (or CMS) technologies have exploded in recent years, mostly because of the concept that you can “do it yourself.”
Blogging's Not For Everyone!
Good content that is well presented is what draws readers.
Unfortunately, many people that choose to develop and run their own blog don't understand the technology or how to create a good blogging experience.
Your ability to successfully manage your own blog depends upon a number of factors:
- How comfortable are you with computer and Internet technologies?
- Are you a good writer or do you need an editor?
- Can you source photos or other images from legitimate sources?
- Do you understand the technology behind the blog well enough to work with it?
- What if something goes wrong?
Required Skills
Modern blogging software is essentially like a modern word processor, except that the results are posted online rather than printed on paper.
When you start a blog (or an e-newsletter) you'll have to have a target market and the ability to keep that market informed and entertained. Follow your passion, but ensure you have the required depth of knowledge and can develop the originality to post regularly.
Audience Appeal
Stick with original viewpoints and thoughts that are engaging while informing. Keep your audience and the purpose of your blog in mind when writing posts.
Writing Skills
Blogging software still needs a skilled writer to create marketable copy. Those posting to your blog need to understand the rules of writing including good grammar and punctuation.
Other Factors
Know how people read online, what draws attention, how to format a link correctly and much more. Understanding how layout and white space affects readability is helpful.
Having Difficulties?
Having challenges doing it yourself?
Get professional help.
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WordPress
WordPress is the best known blogging software, running on 43% of the world's websites.
WordPress comes in two flavours:
- WordPress.com includes hosting, security, backups, and spam protection.
- WordPress.org provides the software to install and host on your own site.
WordPress.com vs WordPress.org hosting options.
There is a huge number of WordPress themes, both free and commercial versions. In some cases you'll have to pay an annual fee to unlock the ability to customize the layout, fonts or other elements.
WordPress's popularity can be a problem with security because, just like Windows, it offers more potentially vulnerable targets.
Hosting on WordPress.com
A WordPress blog can be hosted on WordPress.com where updates are applied automatically, including security fixes and theme updates.
A base WordPress blog is free. Your blog address will be your user name before wordpress.com:
widgets.wordpress.com
You can upgrade to a unique WordPress-hosted domain if you subscribe to a personal or premium plan:
widgets.com
WordPress Hosted on Your Website
WordPress.org provides the ability to download the software then install it into your regular hosting site.
Your blog will be running alongside your main website:
widgets.com/blog
When WordPress is installed on your own hosting service (ISP) you need to be vigilant about upgrading both WordPress and the installed themes or plugins to avoid security vulnerabilities.
IslandHosting Recommended
Hosting reliability and support is a key concern for site owners.
I strongly recommend IslandHosting for its world-class hosting service and excellent support.
WordPress can be installed and maintained using the Softaculous installation/maintenance service in cPanel.
Custom Blogging Software
Blogging options like WordPress can become difficult to manage when the demands go beyond a single blog.
These companies use custom software designed to create, edit and maintain multiple blogs.
For the most part this software is used by larger organizations where several individuals manage different portions of the blog (the various Microsoft blogs are one example).
Requirements are Different
Blogging software runs independently and doesn't have the overhead required by WordPress and similar CMSs.
Big Learning Curve
Dedicated blogging software is seldom a good choice for individuals or small businesses.
Like with most CMSs, there can be a large learning curve and support can disappear if the software vendor fails.
It may be a viable option if you're hosting several blogs under your domain.
A Custom Designed Blog
Another option is to have a custom blog built using the same techniques as a custom website.
The blog can be built with the same general layout as the main site.
The blog format is not dependent upon any existing platform as they are with WordPress and similar platforms.
Flexible but Depends Upon Professional Help
Postings to the blog aren't limited to a pre-determined format and new concepts can be incorporated by the blog/site designer much easier than modifying a free or purchased blog template.
Unless you incorporate a content management systems (CMS) — which has its own issues — you'll need professional help building then posting to your blog.
Russ has created and maintained custom blogs like this for clients. Postings are provided by email (usually in MS Word format) then the post is generated from that file, adding necessary links, images and formatting.
Need Professional Help?
Russ designs custom blogs that can provide you with a platform to showcase your ideas, demonstrate your expertise or simply to provide an outlet for your creativity.
He can also customize a blog based on WordPress or Blogger software although the options there are more limited.
Blogging Services
He provides the following blog services:
- Blog setup
- Blog customization
- Posting blog content
- Troubleshooting issues with your blog
Let's discuss your requirements and determine the best options for you.
Web Design Index
The design process and the factors involved are laid out on these pages:
- Web design: An introduction.
- Design philosophy: How I view the design process.
- Design considerations: Using technology effectively.
- Design criteria: Determining your needs.
- Content management systems: “Do-it-yourself” websites.
- Customized blogs:For time-sensitive information.
- Factors affecting price: Developing your design budget.
- Request a quote: Estimating your web design costs.
- Site maintenance: Keeping it updated.
- My design portfolio: Example websites & blogs.
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Updated: September 14, 2024