SESSION FIVEBlogs and Websites

Session 5

By the end of this workshop the you should understand the difference between a blog and a website and have to tools to guide their decision to set up their own

To achieve this we examine:• The difference between a blog and a website• Blog or website? – which do you need?• Play vs Pro

−To pay or not to pay?−Own domain?−Self hosting?

• Which software?−For blogs:

– Blogger or Wordpress.com −For sites:

– Weebly or WIX– Protecting your site

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WEBSITE & A BLOG?

What is a website? What is a blog?

A website is one or more web pages with the same online address. For example: The State Library -- http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/

 

A blog is a type of website which takes the form of an online diary for example: http://thegardendeli.wordpress.com/

 

Websites often contain blogs.

EXERCISE

Think about the difference between a blog and a website.

From the point of view of the reader and the author.

Blog or website? –Which suits your needs?

Blogs:

Need to post content regularly

More obvious interaction with audience

Distinct voice

Clear author

Personal and intimate

Websites:

Can be evergreen content

Less pressure to update regularly

Bookmarked more easily

More formal approach

Can be easier to structure to suit a specific audience

Setting up my site

What (if anything) should I pay for?

Software?

Themes?

Plugins?

Your own URL?

Hosting?

Graphic Designers or Programmers?

Software

Lots of free stuff around – open source software

Check what you are getting for free – differs from provider to provider.

For eg: A free Weebly site is limited to 5 pages.

Themes

Themes are basically templates which allow you to decide how your site will look.

Some are free, others you will have to pay for.

Best to choose a theme that is from a reputable supplier – less bugs, more technical advice online.

Plugins

Plugins are additional software that give your site functionality.

Eg Anti Spam

Plugins are usually developed by third parties. Some are free, others charge or suggest a donation.

Your own URL?

Your own web address? Or one with your webhosts name in it?

Your own will cost between $15 - $40 per annum

Privacy concerns?

Which Suffix?

Hosting?All sites need hosting. Some options are free, Others you pay for. Free hosting can have its pitfalls. Things to consider:

−Who owns the content?−Can my site be deleted for any reason?−Can I advertise on my site? Will they put ads

on my site?−Which themes can I use? Which plugins?−What do I get for free: –

– How much space on the server? – How much traffic information?

Cost of self hosting – from $3 per month plus GST

Graphic Designers and/or Programmers

Probably unnecessary for individuals who do not wish to make money for their site

Themes and plugins should do many things programmer would do.

Choosing Software

Considerations & Ideas :

Think about how your site may evolve over time. Some solutions are more flexible than others.

Check the bottom of your favourite sites, they may say which software has been used in their creation.

Although the most common software platforms are free, not all offer the same service for free.

Blogging Options

Blogger is owned by Google and used to be the preeminent blogging platform. Blogger blogs are all hosted by Google. Example: http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com.au/

Wordpress is software which you can use on either your own self hosted site (Wordpress.org) or Wordpress’s hosting service (Wordpress.com). Eg: http://figjamandlimecordial.com/ Can also be used to create a website.

SETTING UP A BLOG

http://www.wordpress.com

http://www.blogger.com

Website Options

Weebly – Traditional website software. Eg: http://www.healthyvoices.org.au/

 

 

Wix – Cloud based Website software. Eg http://www.wix.com/sample/website

 

 

SETTING UP A SITE

http://www.weebly.com

http://www.wix.com

Protecting your site

• Spam

• Hacking

• Users

• Copyright

Review

This session we have explored:

• The difference between a blog and a website• Blog or website? – which do you need?• Play vs Pro

−To pay or not to pay?−Own domain?−Self hosting?

• Which software?−For blogs: Blogger or Wordpress.com −For sites: Weebly or WIX

• Protecting your site

You should now understand the difference between a blog and a website and have to tools to guide their decision to set up their own

Next Steps

Tasks:1. Read the WIKI2. Decide on a platform

Next session

Designing your site• Picking a name• Understanding how visitors interact with your site• Creating consistent look and feel

Writing for the web

Building your audience:

Gaining readers

SEO

Developing followers

Protecting your work

END OF SESSION 5