Blogs Versus Static Sites

13 years ago

The only reason I ever use pages is for navigation purposes. It is easier to manage your links in the navigation with pages. Other than that there are not many distinct advantages.

Also, pages can have templates assigned to them as well. So, it gives you a little more customization.

Talk soon,

Shannon

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paulie888

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Hoodyy

I'm currently planning my first ever niche site with the aim to promote affiliate products.

I'm going to use a Wordpress site because I know how to use it...

I was reading somewhere that a good way to generate a lot of traffic to your site is to create 20 or so static pages with quality content with good SEO for the selected keywords and try to rank on the first page in google for each of the pages as well as the home page.

How is this different to creating 20 different blog posts with SEO done in the same way?

I was thinking perhaps making 20 static pages on my blog as well as the blog on the home page - although this would obviously require a lot more writing for me to do.

The main aim of my current marketing venture is for people to opt in to my list in return for a 33 page eBook for free that I probably could easily sell for a decent amount. I'm then going to implement an email strategy to promote MYSELF and then recommend affiliate products which I hope will have a good conversion rate. This is just me testing ideas and seeing what works and what doesn't. Because this will be my primary way of getting income from affiliate and CPA offers, i'm only promoting affiliate products via a few banners on the website and perhaps the odd product review or something in a blog post. With this email marketing plan do you think it would be better to run a blog or a static website, or perhaps both?

And finally, i'm wondering what are the pro's and con's for each - static sites and blogs? Just so I know for future ventures, has anyone tried both - is there any point combining the two etc? I'd love to hear some opinions on this.

Thanks,

Matt

Matt, your question has been covered quite extensively in a similar thread recently. In my opinion, Wordpress combines the best of both blogs and static sites, and it shouldn't have to be an "either-or" proposition

If you're familiar with Wordpress at all, I'm sure you know that you have the option of using a static page for your home page, and your blog can reside anywhere on your Wordpress site (it can even be hidden from public view, if you so choose).

Whether you choose a static site or blog really depends on your intended purpose for the site. If it's something that is going to be updated daily with fresh content, then obviously you want the blog to be featured upfront in a prominent manner. On the other hand, if the content is going to be fairly fixed and only requires infrequent changes, then use the static page option for your Wordpress site.

There really isn't any need to choose between Wordpress and a static site, in my opinion, as Wordpress allows you to implement a blog as well as static pages on it.

Paul

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jamjar919

13 years ago

I side with wordpress - Awesome software

You can use static pages with wordpress as well, look in the settings. The main reason I use wordpress is that it is a lot easier to control how your site looks and feels. It also autolinks in the nav bar and everything so no contuous updaing to the code.

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paulie888

13 years ago

Originally Posted by jamjar919

I side with wordpress - Awesome software

You can use static pages with wordpress as well, look in the settings. The main reason I use wordpress is that it is a lot easier to control how your site looks and feels. It also autolinks in the nav bar and everything so no contuous updaing to the code.

Exactly, it's so easy to update in a flash, there is no need to deal with FTP and file transfers. Even if you're on the run and away from your computer, Wordpress can be easily updated on many cellphones as well with the WP apps that are available.

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merlincat

13 years ago

I'm really glad you asked this, it's been playing on my mind recently.

My site is wordpress and combines both static pages and blog, but recently saw a training video advising 20 static pages, each ranking for keyword. So I have been considering if I should change my site.

So thank you for asking the question, and thank you for the answer.

Thanks
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paulie888

13 years ago

Originally Posted by merlincat

I'm really glad you asked this, it's been playing on my mind recently.

My site is wordpress and combines both static pages and blog, but recently saw a training video advising 20 static pages, each ranking for keyword. So I have been considering if I should change my site.

So thank you for asking the question, and thank you for the answer.

This can be easily done by creating extra static pages that are each individually keyword optimized. What do you currently have on your blog, and how is it keyword optimized (if at all)?

Paul

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thebitbotdotcom

13 years ago

Whatever you do, make sure that a link to every other page or post exists either at either the top or at the side of every page like a true 20 page mini-site. Typical blog posts usually don't link up like that unless you do it manually.

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Hoodyy

13 years ago

Originally Posted by thebitbotdotcom

Whatever you do, make sure that a link to every other page or post exists either at either the top or at the side of every page like a true 20 page mini-site. Typical blog posts usually don't link up like that unless you do it manually.

I think this answers what I was really asking. I assumed there was an advantage to running static pages over blog posts and the internal link structure is it? I assume this is for SEO?

From that answer and the other answers above I'm currently going with the idea of perhaps 4/5 static sites explaining the main topics of my niche in detail - I assume these to have affiliate links in them?

I will then have posts explaining smaller things / current news about the niche etc. If I have an Archive as one of my widgets in the side bar will that help with linking the blog posts on every page? I definitely cannot be bothered to manually update a linking system with a new blog post each time...

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merlincat 13 years ago

I have my home page, optimized for a lower competition/2900 searches per month Keyword. As this feels more achievable initially.

Then 7 static pages, some very content driven (not really optimized), and three are review pages so optimized for the product.

Then I have my blog, which I post optimized articles on, which I also send to ezine.

If you could offer any advice on how to improve, or which direction to proceed...

Thank you
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DireStraits

13 years ago

Just a quick point: if you're doing affiliate marketing and your primary aim is to get people opted-in to your list, you might want to think about avoiding a blog theme/layout that looks too traditionally "bloggy".

Blog-style themes are great for straight blogs, but a bit "overkill" and unnecessarily busy, I think, for a lot of stuff.

Just like AdSense performs better on a site with less distractions (this I can attest to, having tried it myself), so too should your opt-in form - or any other important focal element on your site - see more action if there's less other stuff going on.

By all means use blogging software (I am; I use Wordpress), but I think it's preferable to buy, code or customise (or have customised) a theme that doesn't immediately scream "I am a blog".

I cannot provide stats or any other verifiable proof for this, but it seems like common-sense to me, and I know plenty of successful affiliates who swear by non-blog-styled sites, even if they're actually running them on blogging software.

And that's my own personal choice (and will continue to be) for the majority of my own sites, too.

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Hoodyy

13 years ago

I'm now unsure onto which direction to go.

My plan was to have the opt in box on the sidebar but it appears a little squashed there and there is definitely no room to put images of the free ebook i'm giving away etc, i'm worried about conversion rates for traffic opting-in.

I was thinking perhaps use my 'home' page with the opt in box and a little content and then using the sidebar space for more links to pages etc and having only home and blog links in the top right. But then I have the issue with not having my opt-in box on every page when the main objective of the site is to convert traffic into subscribers!

I'm confused in what direction I should take. Possibly just staying on the same path could be the best idea for now whilst i'm overwhelmed and haven't tested anything..

My site for reference:

Can't post links yet so here it is broken up!

learntoattractwomen(dot)info

There is no content there yet, i've written a lot of it up already but i'm currently working on the layout, completing a few weeks worth of follow up emails and finishing off the free ebook to give away which is why the website has nothing on it yet. Whilst your there, opinions on the layout and look are always welcome!

Thanks!

(A very overwhelmed) Matt.

Thanks

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Hoodyy

13 years ago

I think what i'm going to do is have 3 extra pages optimized for keywords. Each of these will be chop full of quality content and very detailed. I will then perhaps have subpages to explore more specific keywords in more detail (although i'm unsure how to do this on Wordpress). Some of the pages will have affiliate links on them that compliment that content i've already written in a more "to find out more click here" sort of fashion.

The home page will still be a blog and i'll focus most of my attention on the email campaign and pages.

Also I have a general question about backlinks. For example, does it count if you have a post on a forum with a link in the signature? Are these 'low-quality' backlinks? And finally, just how important is back-linking to gain top page in google search results? What sort of volume of searches per month or competition level does it become especially important.

Matt

Thanks
2 replies

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akazo

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Hoodyy

I think what i'm going to do is have 3 extra pages optimized for keywords. Each of these will be chop full of quality content and very detailed. I will then perhaps have subpages to explore more specific keywords in more detail (although i'm unsure how to do this on Wordpress). Some of the pages will have affiliate links on them that compliment that content i've already written in a more "to find out more click here" sort of fashion.

The home page will still be a blog and i'll focus most of my attention on the email campaign and pages.

Also I have a general question about backlinks. For example, does it count if you have a post on a forum with a link in the signature? Are these 'low-quality' backlinks? And finally, just how important is back-linking to gain top page in google search results? What sort of volume of searches per month or competition level does it become especially important.

Matt

If you want to have some items on one page/post and different items on another, look at the section widget. Really good for this type of thing. I only throw this out because you are asking newbie questions... not there is anything wrong with that

Good Luck!

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rome9t9

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Hoodyy

I'm now unsure onto which direction to go.

My plan was to have the opt in box on the sidebar but it appears a little squashed there and there is definitely no room to put images of the free ebook i'm giving away etc, i'm worried about conversion rates for traffic opting-in.

I was thinking perhaps use my 'home' page with the opt in box and a little content and then using the sidebar space for more links to pages etc and having only home and blog links in the top right. But then I have the issue with not having my opt-in box on every page when the main objective of the site is to convert traffic into subscribers!

I'm confused in what direction I should take. Possibly just staying on the same path could be the best idea for now whilst i'm overwhelmed and haven't tested anything..

My site for reference:

Can't post links yet so here it is broken up!

learntoattractwomen(dot)info

There is no content there yet, i've written a lot of it up already but i'm currently working on the layout, completing a few weeks worth of follow up emails and finishing off the free ebook to give away which is why the website has nothing on it yet. Whilst your there, opinions on the layout and look are always welcome!

Thanks!

(A very overwhelmed) Matt.

IMO, go with the optin box throught the site in the sidebar with good content on the pages. Dont just limit it to the home page. That way you can get additional leads from any page of your site.

If you believe that your design is limiting your goal of subscriber optin, then change the theme. I honestly find it unimpressive.

Additionally, include a proper squeeze page. Don't just rely on the sidebar option.

Originally Posted by Hoodyy

I think what i'm going to do is have 3 extra pages optimized for keywords. Each of these will be chop full of quality content and very detailed. I will then perhaps have subpages to explore more specific keywords in more detail (although i'm unsure how to do this on Wordpress). Some of the pages will have affiliate links on them that compliment that content i've already written in a more "to find out more click here" sort of fashion.

The home page will still be a blog and i'll focus most of my attention on the email campaign and pages.

Also I have a general question about backlinks. For example, does it count if you have a post on a forum with a link in the signature? Are these 'low-quality' backlinks? And finally, just how important is back-linking to gain top page in google search results? What sort of volume of searches per month or competition level does it become especially important.

Matt

Regarding content: don't write very detailed answers. The pages that you will target for high search traffic should be useful, but not 100% complete.

Your high traffic pages should guide your visitor to get your free report rather than solving their problems right away. The solution should be in the free report. Link your squeeze page from those articles.

The rest of the content in your blog should be good, informative and must portray you as an authority in that niche.

Link Building:
LinkBuilding is always very imp for SEO. But make sure your on-page SEO is in place first.

Article Marketing, Blog Networks, Forum Sigs, Profile linkbuilding, guest posting, blog commenting, document share, theme sponsoring are all link building tactics.

Forum links don't carry much weight. 1 link from 100 sites is always better than 100 links from 1 site.

Thanks

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dadamson

13 years ago

Blog posts vs static pages in Wordpress have very little difference for SEO other than the particularly obvious onpage SEO differences that may differ from theme to theme.

You must also remember that "posts" send out a ping to the major entities when you publish or update a post.

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michaelvk

13 years ago

Blog vs Static Website is there a difference between a blog and a Web site? Yes and no.
There are two types of sites. Blogs and static websites. Blogs are organized by dates and categorized by recent post/content displays. A static site, the content is organized by content and not by date or categories.
To develop a static HTML website from scratch. You will need to use a software like Dreamweaver or FrontPage. Others use Notepad. Notepad is all you need if you have the know how to write HTML code.
Blogs on the other hand is designed to handle easy content updates. I use a Wordpress blog. It has built in functionality to easily update, share and archive content in your site. Blog post show up on post page. Clicking on the headline of a post will take you to a permalink page that only displays that one specific post and comment. Add a category and tags to your post. Now your readers have the ability to find anything you have written.

thanks,

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Stuart S

13 years ago

Yeah I agree, if you are using wordpress you can go for the good old static page as the home page but keep a blog going in the background.

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Luis Medilo 13 years ago

I was about to post a thread like this. Good thing I used the search feature first.

I'm a big fan of Wordpress but lately I feel like it's a drudgery for me. I have to look for a theme that fits my site, then I have to install plugins, add widgets, configure everything, etc. I prefer creating a website in static HTML because I can be creative and customize the pages according to my tastes. I can customize Wordpress themes but I'm not very good in PHP.
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- NeilC 13 years ago
  
  Wordpress works well for small niche sites as well as much larger websites and I wouldn't get too hug up on static vs Wordpress certainly at the beginning unless you want to create a very complicated type of site.
  
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BradRich 13 years ago

Originally Posted by JacksonRiddle

Yeah I agree, if you are using wordpress you can go for the good old static page as the home page but keep a blog going in the background.

How would I go about this and where can I learn to do more with worpress? I would like some of my sites to have a main page feel without changing the top portion every time I make a new blog post. Is there a good place to go to really learn how to use wordpress to its fullest potential. I know how to make new blog post's and pages but thats it. I really want to learn how to use it to its potential without having to do a lot of coding.
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padre

13 years ago

It really isn't an either/or situation.

If you have a website you must have a blog as well to get the best effect with search engines.

If you have a blog it also will do better with the SE's if there are content pages that add evergreen value.

Develop them both with effective keywords and free, targeted traffic is yours.

Cheers

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