Blogs vs. Websites – The Basics

There’s the link, here’s the site.  Now… what do I call it?

Our team hears handmade sellers time and time again confused on what to call what they see in front of them on their screen.

Hopefully this helps:

A “blog” is set up like an online journal.  A blog is ever-changing with updates and new “posts” (or entries).  When you read a blog, it feels a little bit like the time you picked up your little sister’s diary.  You feel slightly awkward reading the information, but you can’t help but read more the next chance you get.

A website, on the other hand, tends to be static with very little changing.  There is little “real” interaction between the person looking at the website and the person who created the website.  Think your insurance company’s website – sure, you can get a quote by filling out a form, but you don’t see who else is filling out forms or interact with the CEO.

When given the choice between promoting on other a website or blog, our team suggests checking out the blogs first.  However, don’t be fooled – just because the link doesn’t say “blogspot.com” doesn’t mean that the site isn’t a blog.  Many bloggers buy domain names to post their blog.  In fact, many serious bloggers don’t have a blog on blogspot.com.

With a blog, you are most likely to be able to communicate directly with someone who is unfamiliar with your handmade shop.  The blog’s readers will hear about your shop for the first time on the blog, and potentially click over to check out your handmade crafts.  Also, blogs tend to have a better daily following compared to websites, so you are more likely to have more “eyeballs” see your contact with the blogger.

If you have your own blog, consider spicing it up.  HandmadeMarketing.org recently featured Tara Gentile from HandmadeInPA and her series dedicated to improve blogs, with information on increasing your blog’s traffic to making sure your blog has a mission statement.

Have you been thinking about creating your own website to sell handmade items?  Do you ideas for how to promote your shop online?  Have blog features helped your sales?  Do you seen an increase in traffic after a feature?

Share your experiences with HandmadeMarketing.org.  If we like your tips for selling handmade crafts online, we will feature you in a future article!