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March 10, 2008  I've tried to create a couple blogs over the past few months using both Word Press and another blog platform to no avail.The main problem is that I couldn't get the google ads set up on the blog the way I wanted them. Inevitably, I dumped both blog attempts and continued using my website as is. Some people say that difference between blogs and websites is that a website is stagnant and a blog is active. Well, that's a choice. If you make your website active then the above description simply doesn't fit. I have an active website where I manually create each and every post and then manually add it to each section I want it to appear in; such as Sophie, family, travel, There is little doubt that creating a blog manually on a website is a clunky dinosaur compared to the fluid, swift and easy blog options of today. A few days ago Sophie created a blog. Now, she writes a post, posts it and she's done. It is that simple. On my website, the creation of the post is only the beginning. From there I prepare my layout which I format specifically for that blog. Depending on the article this can be rather quick or it can take hours. The main time crush is how many photos are used, whether or not they are already uploaded to the page (or the computer for that matter) and how the design of the page is structured. Although creating each page separately is time consuming I really like the look of it. It makes my site unique and when you visit a page you visit a part of our lives. I am able to construct an entire atmosphere not just a post. I don't want my site to look like... well, like this blog inevitably will. It's not personal, its like generic cherrios purchased in an oversized page. Blog Format vs Website Format So where is the payoff? Where is the compromise? I could write a lot more if I didn't spend so much time creating each page. If I write my posts in this standard format I will lose the personal identity I've painstakingly created on my website. If I write more blogs I will inevitably increase my readership. It can be frustrating having over 100 posts I want to write on but no time to do it. By writing in blog format I would be able to write more. For search engine optimization (SEO) content is hugely important. So am I cutting off my nose despite my face by limiting the number of posts I put up as a result of the time it takes to create each page? How important is it to bring a personal touch to my website? This is a really important issue for me. I think that this world is far too impersonal already and the root of many of societies problems are linked to people not feeling accountable for who they are and those around them. I think a lot of this stems from the impersonal approach most things take to life these days. Well, I don't want to be part of that. I don't want to fuel that. I'm not willing to be part of that destructive machine. So where is the balance? Will I simply submit to using a boring blog format like millions of others bloggers because it's the easiest way? Because it might help my readership? This sounds like defeat to me, not compromise. Content is King Bloggers repeatedly say how you should do this that and the other thing to improve your site and then end their post with 'but content is everything'. Without decent content Google's search engines will not be interested in your content, or if you are trying to cheat the system Google's search engine will not be interested for very long. This means that what you write and how you format each post is very important for your overall SEO results and ranking in Google. What am I looking for out of the website? I'm in this for the money. The bottomline is that I like hard cold cash. I want money. I want to make money at something I enjoy doing. I enjoy creating and writing for my website. My goal is to have my website support me at some point. I want to be able to add to it from anywhere in the world and have it support my nomadic tendencies. I love that I can document and share my experiences, life and thoughts with others. I love hearing back and knowing that others are seeking what I have to offer. I love being a support for other single moms. We're not alone but it is often very difficult for us to find each other. My website offers me the opportunity to empower other single moms. That being said, being a single mom is not who I am it's a part of my life, as is travel, my political views and my thoughts on anything else. I've been very fortunate in finding others, via my website, who want to read about the things that interest me as well. Sophie thinks its funny that I like to write about the exchange rate and honestly, I couldn't very well go out with friends and talk about the European exchange rate all night, but on my website I can discuss it as often as I want and from any angle which interests me. I want that freedom. Okay, true, I can continue writing about the exchange rate whether I write in a website format or a blog format. Advertising When I tried to use a word press before I couldn't get the google ads set on the page where I wanted them. Since I am in this for profit it was too important for me to be able to add google ads to consider using a blog format without being able to fully implement google ads - one of the main sources of income which I expect to receive from my website. Pros of using a webpage instead of a blog So in the end, the reasons I chose to stick with my clunky website format were
Pros of using a blog instead of a website
If I see that I do not receive as many hits on the site because I've moved away from the website format with many of the posts then I will return to my clunky (yet I believe effective) webpage format. I want my website to be successful, interesting and personable. I do not want it to be a cookie cutter of what everyone, and I mean everyone, is using. I want my website to be as much of an individual as I am. I want people to visit the website, not just for knowledge, but for enjoyment. I want it to see like a whole sharing experience, not just readable text. Where is the balance and how to move forward from here? I think the balance will develop through a willingness to experiment with different options both on a level which reaches people and one where I am using technology to my benefit. If I find that the way I have been approaching my website is not to my overall economic benefit then I will figure out a compromise so that the artistic integrity of the site is not sacrificed for economic gain. I will figure out a way to make both work within my site. People first, profit second. That does not mean one must dismiss the idea of profit in favor of showing up for people, nor does it mean one must dismiss the importance of people in lieu of the almighty dollar. Those are sound bite strategies for sensationalist reporters upon which I don't base my actions, ideologies, website or life. If you have enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a donation. I love giving to you. I also love receiving. All the best! Related Articles: Website Content vs Social Networking Incorporating a Blog on My Website Monetizing Your Website Through Inspiration and Desire Finding Your Special Talent Single Moms and Online Business Opportunity Leads Making Money From Home While Raising A Family GoogleAds, Keywords and Website Content The Cost of Starting an Online Business Traditional Website vs Blog Format How to Make Money Online Without a Computer Is it possible to earn money from a website or blog? How to Increase Traffic via Carnival Blogs My Teenager's First Job | 
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