What Is a Blog?
Online Publishing for Small Businesses
Blog is short for weblog, which is a journal (or newsletter) that is frequently updated and intended for general public consumption. Blogs generally represent the personality of the author or the website.
For a complete definition and history, go to Blog - Wikipedia
The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs can be updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain them. Blogs are updated regularly to create continuing interest and a steady stream of information.
Blog entries or articles are stored in chronological order and can be broken up into several topic categories within the blog. An entry can appear in more than one category at a time.
Readers have the opportunity to respond to any given entry, but responses have to be approved by the head "blogger" before the public can see them. Being able to respond to entries enriches the blog as a whole and creates more of a community online.
How Do Blogs Help Businesses?
Blogs are becoming an increasingly powerful business tool. Businesses can use blog software to create:
- online newsletters
- dynamic content in their website
- an online community
- articles
- online support
A blog can also be used as an entry-level website. It is cost- effective and you immediately are creating a community and placing yourself in the expert's chair.