What You Need to Know When Website Writing
Most people understand the distinctions between a novel and a biography. They know how a newspaper article and a love letter differ. They can tell a business memo from a shopping list. But few can offer up a definition that explains the difference between a blog and a web page.
While you may not be able to tell the difference between a blog and a web page, you instinctively know it when you see it, even if you can’t put your finger on what makes each stand out. Don’t feel bad; some professional content writers have a difficult time explaining the difference between a blog and a web page. But the difference has broad implications.
What’s on Your Website?
Almost every business has a website today. And most forward-thinking companies have a blog on their sites. But every website also has other pages, where the business introduces itself, explains its products or services and states its case.
All websites are evergreen, meaning they have no expiration date. They need to be just as relevant in two years as they are today. As a result, the content of most business websites is static. It doesn’t change often because once it’s up, it’s working. Why change anything?
Why a Blog?
Blogs are different. An active blog gets a new article every week — or at the minimum, every month. Blog posts always include a date so readers can reference them appropriately. They’re presented in the context of a specific time.
Blogs are perfect for time-sensitive material, which is another difference between a blog and a web page. For instance, your blog can announce:
- Trending styles or shifts in attitude
- Industry updates
- Relevant insights and information that jive with the news
- Annual, seasonal or dated events
Consider Search Engines
Search engine optimization (SEO) drives online traffic to your website. Search engines, like the behemoth Google, reward website pages with long-form content — 800 to 1,000 words minimum. Web pages should be authoritative, sharing information about your business and industry. Don’t get too creative when writing a web page.
Blog posts can be as short as 350 words, but often fall in the 500-word range. That’s one more difference between a blog and a web page. Blogs also can provide long-form content (like this one) when the topic calls for it, but they’re generally easy to read. While they’re meant to be informative, they may be entertaining. Another difference between a blog and a web page is that blogs need a great lead-in to draw readers.
Blogs Attract; Web Pages Inform
People search the internet for two reasons (other than to be entertained):
- To find information
- To buy something
If you’ve answered your visitors’ questions clearly, succinctly and completely, they’ll want to know who you are and what you do. That impulse leads them to your website pages. They may not be ready to buy anything right away, but they will remember you. When they’re ready to purchase what you sell, they’ll be back.
Differences in Tone and Style
Blog posts are articles about a single topic. They may have links to other pages on your site and other authoritative websites. Website pages, on the other hand, contain many calls to action. They’re written more like a news article with the important information at the top. They’re geared to inform and inspire contact. To learn the difference between a blog and a web page, consider:
- Blogs don’t send a marketing vibe. Blogs are:
- Good reads
- Interesting
- Useful
- Regular additions to your website content
- Great to post on your social channels
- Provocative, creating discussion
- Platforms to offer your knowledge and passion
- Website pages are:
- More formal
- To the point
- Transactional
- Descriptive
- Explanatory
- Informative
Blogs Are Uniquely Yours; Websites Cover Everything
When you know the difference between a blog and web page, you have a clear and definitive path to follow when you sit down to write. Your opening sentence in a blog post may be challenging or questioning, whereas the first line of a web page needs to answer the title.
For instance, let’s say you’re an herbalist. The first paragraph of your weekly blog post may start out like this: “You’ve tried everything to rid yourself of that nasty headache, only to have it return an hour later. You don’t have to suffer in silence or keep taking harmful medications; consider instead the many herbs that have been used for centuries to cure headaches.”
You wouldn’t start a web page like that. Your home page might start with: “Herbs provide a natural source of spices for your dinner table and remedies for your medicine cabinet.” Subsequent pages can go into detail about specific herbs, natural treatments and your background as an herbalist. Each page offers a link to a contact page for more information.
Capitalize on the Difference Between a Blog and a Web Page
Blog posts focus on one topic, trend or title. Website pages feature your company, services and products. Don’t confuse the two. Learn more by reading previous Ray Access blog posts about:
Also, get website content tips and ideas for making your web pages pop. Most of all, keep in mind the difference between a blog and a web page to get the best results. You need both to reap benefits from your online marketing campaigns!
Ray Access is a content marketing firm that delivers targeted words to empower your business. Contact us about your specific project to receive a quote or discuss your needs. We write website copy, blog posts, e-newsletters and more. Everything we do is thoroughly researched, professionally edited and guaranteed original.
