The article is intended to be informational purposes, and not with the intent of taking a potshot at the internet noobs. I believe everyone is a noob at something or the other, as there is always something more to learn.
The first thing you notice after surfing on the internet for a few hours is tons of websites and blogs.
Isn’t that right?
The first question that arises from most of them is:
What exactly is the difference between a website and a blog?
Many of them tend to confuse one with the other and interpret an answer on their own. So, let’s just clear the air and highlight the difference between a blog and a website.
The basic difference between a blog and a website is theoretically the difference in how data is being presented – the format.
Apart from that, in practicality, there is a very fine line between the two. There are some key differences between them and this article should clarify as to what you should go with for creating and publishing your content.
NOTE: Please don’t ask which is the easiest way to make money. Because there is none. It takes a lot of patience, persistence and hard work to make money on the internet.
What is a Blog?
A blog is basically a web log that a blogger makes use of for chronological listing of blog posts. A blog has the most recent content shown first followed by the previously updated content. A blog can be easily started with services like WordPress, Blogger, etc., that provides you with the entire system including design templates to begin.
Learn: How to start a blog
A blog thrives on new content and the more regularly it is updated, the more attention it will get. That doesn’t mean tons of scraps will reap you a gold mine. Quality and regularly updated content are examples of a good blog.
Basic identification of Blogs:
- A chronological listing of blog posts.
- A commenting system that invites readers to participate in the communication and leave behind comments.
- Blog posts are archived by date, category, author, tags and sub-categories.
- RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds for posts and/or comments for feed-readers like Feedly, etc.
Examples
Techcrunch, Mashable, Cnet, ShoutMeLoud, LifeHacker, etc. and the list goes on.
What is a Website?
A website can be anything. Anything on the internet presented in HTML/CSS or Java/Javascript/Python/PHP, etc., is a website. A website may be complemented with a blog, but the home page would be more for browsing other pages and not just posts.
Fully functional and eye-catchy websites are usually cost consuming tasks as you would have to build it from the base up. However, with platforms and services like Adobe Dreamweaver, you can build your own website easily.
A blog can be a part of a website, in the form of a separate page and linked to the homepage. A website is a bigger aspect and its limitations are little to none. A website could be anything from a single page to hundreds.
Basic identification of a website:
- A homepage that displays content from several sections of internal website pages.
- A design portfolio of work.
- A blog might be a part of a website, but not the only thing.
- A Frequently Asked Questions page that readers can browse to get more information.
- A page of client testimonials and feedback.
- Company’s terms and privacy statements pages.
- A Contact form that allows visitors to get in touch.
- A services/products page that displays what they have to offer for the visitors.
Examples
Box, Evernote, Wikipedia, Facebook, Odesk, etc. The list goes on.
Do you need a blog or a Website?
That depends on what you need. First, decide what you exactly intend to do. If you are more concerned with creating content on a regular basis for others to read, you should go with a blog.
If you want a fully featured online portal with many abilities and infinitesimal possibilities, you should go with a website. If you have a company, you must have a website combined with a blog.
But make sure you know a good deal of coding before you jump to creating a website or shell out a little money and outsource the coding work. One thing which you should know about ‘WordPress’ –  the most popular blogging platform – is, it can always be used as a Website, and you will get the advantage of SEO and easy management. Win-win.
All apples are fruits, but all fruits are not apples.
Similarly, all blogs are websites, but all websites are not blogs.
Got it? 😉
I hope this clears your doubts about differences between a blog and a website. I would love to know what you feel about the Blog v Website debate.
How do you differentiate between the two? Write to us.
I want to sell my knitting services to the public online. Should I use a blog or a website. Not so up on this computer usage, so I don’t have a clue what to use to get the best exposure.
Hi everyone, I would like to know what is the best. I would like to create a blog and website. I would like my blog as personal views of a particular topic while my website is for business porpuses. If I put it together, my worries are they don’t complement each other. Some say it’s better to put together for the best search engine. Please help me decide.
hey ,
are sites like diply.com,buzzfeed.com,,scoopwhoop.com websites or blogs???
if they were to be created using wordpress ,what option will they choose (blog/website) ??
Hi Chaitanya,
There are many different types of websites such as blogs (collection of articles), e-commerce (online shop), informational sites (usually businesses use informational websites which include About Us, Services and Contact Us pages), and membership sites (examples include educational websites, FREE and paying).
However, the sites you mentioned are examples of web 2.0’s where instead of content being static, created by a single user, content is created by many users. Content is growing and dynamic. Examples of web 2.0s also include social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. I hope this helps.
Authority: My own experience as an Website Developer and Internet Marketer (someone who knows how to make money online).
I asked somebody to check out my website and give his opinion. When he got back to me he said it was a blog so I got confused. I had asked the designer to build me a website and not a blog. In my research to know the difference between a blog and website I stumbled on your post and it is very insightful. Thank you.
Thank you! I want to create a website with a blog for etsy and Pinterest.. I have always known how to create beautiful things with a sewing machine, paintbrush etc. But this internet stuff confounds me! Your article was so helpful, and written in a way I could understand.
With limited $’s to get started what are your best recommendations to build this myself?
As well, I suppose I will have to join Facebook? I’ m worried about being bogged down with the technology, taking my time away from my first love; actually creating my art, quilts etc.
What do you want to do with your website? Do you want to display your art?
Very interesting article, and many thanks for the tips. It appears that I have a blog that wants to be a website. Things that make you go hmmm, indeed.
A good comparision between a Website and a Blog. I heard lot of people asking what is a blog as they dont get into the details of it. As far as website is concern, many prople knows what it is, because now a days you can have a webite almost for each and avery purpose. I appreciate your work Srikanth.
Thanks for keeping it straight forward.
ScriKanth,
You’ve just did a good job with this post. This is actually one of the most common questions I get asked since I launched my new blog.
I will just love to add this: starting a website will require some basic knowledge of website designing and website development while a blog is easy to create, thanks to third party softwares like WordPress.
Also, a blog is beginners-friendly, good for an online business and cost effective compared to a website.
I wan always thinking that both are same but now come to know that there is difference between both 😀 .
hey Emmanuel Aniekan, thanks for adding your clarification. My another question to you that, will I have to pay to somebody for opening / starting a blog? Please help to know.
Nice article. A blog is a website, but it follows a loose format. Usually, the content is posted by a single user (or a group of users). It’s kind of like an online diary. You can set one up for free at WordPress.com. You can enter your favorite links and write updates or upload photos. Your entries are arranged by date. A website is a more general term. A website can be anything that you would see on the web. YouTube is a website, Google is a website, YahooAnswers is a website, etc…
Thank you for sharing such informative information. Understanding the difference between a blog and website is the first step when deciding which one you want to start. This will help you determine which format is best for you.
Will be sharing on my blog community. 🙂
The major difference between the two types, blog and a static website is about the content refreshment. The major content of website remains the same. Though the webmaster could add additional pages to the website to increase the content, but the order by which the information is presented could not be later changed.
Hello Now I got the difference between a Blog and Website but if we compare the website and blog so which is better___?????
@Harmeet
It depends upon the end user need…. Now a days, everyone prefer to use WordPress for creating website. Coz with business themes, it becomes more cost-effective, and more over for the end user, it become easier to manage the content on pages…..
Hi Harsh, I’m Manjushree. I want to make my own blog and make it my earning source too, as I’m not working at present. I don’t like doing job and this is the best option I find for me. Kindly guide me with my first step. Regards..
Thanks for sharing your info Srikanth. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further write ups thanks once again.
Harsh,
Thank you for great sharing. But I am little opposite here on some aspects. In my sense, Blog is more flexible than web site. Now, there is many platform like blogger, wp, Typepad, squid etc. that are offering easy manageable features.
Thank you
hi,
really interseting post. which you prefer more a blog or website?
Today, I got the exact meaning a blog and website. Thanks for sharing it.
I was really confused with the difference between blog and website .. he has described it in a very easy language and in a simple way .. Thanks for the post bro 🙂
Nice topic Srikanth,
Though I would like to add that Blog is nothing but a subset of a Website. Website has more descriptions and can be used to represent your business online, display your store online or it can also be an online service such as Google, Facebook or Twitter and there are many more..
Blogging is so widely spread as a money making tool today that nobody wants to understand the technicalities of it, they just purchase a domain, select a platform either wordpress or blogger or any other and set up a blog, write spun articles hoping to first get approved by Adsense and then wait for some miracle..
Nobody wants to know or learn the basics… Even today many bloggers are not aware what exactly blogging is or how a website should be?
Thank you Rajeesh for your comments. I am a closet writer who wants to start a blog and knows very little about a blog’s inner workings. Your comment validated the time and effort I am putting forth to learn as much as I can about the nature of blogs before I begin the creative process. I think the more I understand about how blogs and websites work and interconnect, the more chance I have for success when I begin.
Exactly, I’m in the same boat. Most of all I am taking the time to learn the difference because I don’t want to have to take backwards steps. Thanks for the clear explanations.
hello bro, I want to create a site like wikihow, How can I do it, can i make it with help of wordpress or joomla will be better.
Wikipedia uses its own CMS MediaWiki, I would go for joomla, if you have knowledge on how to work with joomla then go for it, if not then, hire someone.