Blogging…
It seems everyone is doing it.
In fact, I asked someone the other day, “Does anyone create websites anymore?” It seems that when given the choice between a blog and a website, most people opt for blogs these days.
If this describes you, I certainly understand your reasons. Blogs are much easier to setup than websites.
They are dynamic, which means the scripts allow you to display content in many different ways (by date, category, tag, most commented posts, etc.)
The search engines love them, and the free plug-ins (if you use WordPress) can give you even more flexibility and increase your blog’s coolness factor.
One Problem With Blogging
Even though there are many positives with blogging, there’s one thing I’ve noticed about many who choose a blog over a website.
Blogging can often discourage beginners from learning the fundamentals of website creation and design. Unlike a website, you don’t need to learn anything about HTML, CSS or uploading files to publish a blog.
You might argue the same could be said about websites if you use an editor. However, even if you use an HTML editor like Dreamweaver or CoffeeCup for a website, you still have to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of HTML at some point. (At least I had to.)
With blogs, everything can be done through a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) control panel that comes with your blogging platform. You don’t have to look at a lick of code if you don’t want to.
Of course, this is no big deal if you find a blog template/theme that you want to use “as is”. But what if you want to customize large sections of your design or change it completely?
Staring at a gazillion lines of CSS code can be quite intimidating. In fact, most people will tell you that in order to learn CSS, you should have a basic understanding of HTML first. (And I agree.) So with no HTML background, I completely understand why some bloggers cringe at the thought of going near the code.
Many people choose blogs because they are easier to setup, but many don’t venture out and learn the fundamentals of HTML and CSS so they can freely update their designs.
I have nothing against blogging. I own one myself, obviously. But I do believe that if you are going to blog, you should spend time learning the basics of HTML and CSS so you have the freedom to update your design beyond the standard template.
Of course, outsourcing a designer is always an option too. However, you don’t want to become completely reliant on a third party. I’ve heard too many nightmare stories with this scenario.
About once a month I get an email from someone who’s paid a designer to create and design their site, but they’ve lost contact with the person and have no idea how to make edits to the design.
As I say all the time, I am far from being a designer, but I have learned enough to maintain and customize my site. You should too.
Even if you buy the premium WordPress Thesis Theme that I use for this blog, it still helps to know the basics of CSS so you can juice up the standard, out-of-the-box template.
A CSS Tutorial Minus The Techie Talk
If you haven’t viewed my newest 4-part CSS tutorial on YouTube, you can watch all four videos in the playlist below. I even provide a very simple, 3-column template that goes along with the video. You can tweak it as needed.
Even though this template and tutorial is for a website instead of a blog, it will still help you grasp the basics and make more sense of your blog’s template code.
Give yourself the freedom to design the kind of blog you want.
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Follow on Twitter: @Lioars
I have just recently paid a designer to do a new layout for my blog, as of yet I have not put it up but after reading this I have decided to ask the designer on some advice on how to edit in the future. So thank you for the advice, it sure has helped.
Gina´s last blog … Afro Samurai
Follow on Twitter: @christiantjr
It’s true…so many people want to skip the basics. You can get a blog set up very easily, but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to successfully blogging.
The technical stuff really isn’t that big a deal, and resigning yourself to learning it will do you a world of good
Christian´s last blog … How to Really Screw up Your Business With Social Networking
Follow on Twitter: @gufugumu
It’s true but one thing to keep in mind is that blogger should ask themselves why they blog. If it’s casual and time to time, then it’s fine having default templates or even uploading a free one from the web.
But indeed if it becomes a job, then you gotta be more serious about it and go for the full deal. I still believe it doesn’t hurt to ask for a student or a pro to design your website. First of all, it makes the economy dynamic and second, you get a good looking site (at least one you like).
The only reason why I would learn html/css is to know what kind of work is involved so that the person I hire won’t cheat and over price his/her work. Other than that, not really worth learning it to the max.
Jundooz´s last blog … Le centre européen de McDonald’s s’installe à Genève
Follow on Twitter: @atcblog
Interesting article! As a website designer, I love to see blogs that are uniquely customized to visually represent the blog’s overall message. Web enthusiasts like us will continue to be disappointed with these sometimes bland sites, but we must remember that their focus differ from ours. We learnt HTML and CSS before setting up our blogs, maybe they are doing it the reverse.
Here’s my very young customized aviation blog: http://www.waynefarley.com/aviation, and thanks to Lisa, I’m now into affiliate marketing.
my biggest issues with websites vs. blogs is that because blogs are so easy setup people don’t often think about organization. they just add a couple of categories, plus a few tags and they are done!
technically before websites are even setup they have to be organized. with blogs they tend to be seen as an endless unorganized rant of somewhat related thoughts.
but the most well built sites are a combination of the two. related thoughts and organized content.
my 2 cents of course.
I am not get greatest designer, in fact I suck. People you develop code aren’t usually good designers. I may not be good at designing, but I do understand HTML and CSS.
One thing I have learned with computers, whether it be with operating systems or Web pages, it is important to understand how something works – don’t memorize – understand.
For those that manage blogs or web sites, it is important to learn and understand, at the very least, basic HTML and CSS. There are many resources online that easily walkthrough HTML and CSS, but it in the end the owner of the site needs to have the motivation, will, and drive to learn it.
Paul´s last blog … 5 Reasons to Backup Data Online
Follow on Twitter: @FirasSameer
personaly I prefer to increase my knowledge with HTML and CSS because they are the basics of the websites creation, so even if I choose to use a blog still I wont be blind in this world as a normal user.
Lisa,
As usual, you always provide solid content in your Blog posts/videos. I really enjoyed this post, because as I learn HTML, to make my static webpages, I find that knowing CSS is just as important, since I use a mixture of Blogs and static pages for my video squeeze pages and video sales pages.
Your instructional methods, tone, and spirit of delivery are very refreshing:-) Most of what other Bloggers and “gurus” are trying to do is too, too, hypie and commerical, and they are merely trying to entice you to buy something… You, on the other hand, provide solid, valuable, and content rich information.
Please continue to share your knowledge and your spirit with us…
Take care,
Dr. Mike “The Brain”
Keep On, Keepin’ On…
Follow on Twitter: @fatblastzone
This is a very helpful tutorial. I definitely agree that even though paying a designer is a very viable option for many, when your designer has moved on, it is left to you to maintain and update the site. You can shell out more money every time you need to make a minor change but if you can just learn a few design basics, wouldn’t that be more cost effective?
CraigB – Fatblastzone´s last blog … The Expert: Mike Deibler Answers Fitness Related Questions
Follow on Twitter: @DaveMoore1
Good stuff as usual, I’m a huge blog person myself and it keeps the money coming in because it’s a sure bet that whatever company may contact me to do work for them I can surely be they don’t have a blog yet and they are easy to sell and even easier to install.
What I don’t get it is why there are very few bloggers that don’t use both or better yet static pages with their blog and a membership site on the back or incorporated in their blog with bonus content that you have to register for.
We’re always concerned about traffic, and as great as a blog is as a traffic magnet why not put up 5 or ten posts on some specific topic.
like you did with your CSS tutorials then use that as the hook or giveaway on a squeeze page to build an email list.
Then set up a ppc campaign to drive traffic to that page, if you’ve done your job and cross linked posts followed up with related posts and monetized your content you should not only get get traffic, but get paid for that traffic and add to you fan base.
All the more reason to learn HTML/CSS so you can get more traffic and make more money.
Keep up the great work Lisa it’s always a pleasure to take some time to check out your latest and greatest addition.
Dave
Dave Moore´s last blog … Get More Blog Traffic
Follow on Twitter: @hhazlan
thanks this very helpfull for my touch…i’m not a programmer but when i watch this simple basic wow i love it to do it. thanks again…
mancai´s last blog … Graphics Giveaway on the Internet ever
Follow on Twitter: @CarlaRose
This is very good information for me because I definitely need to learn how to update my own custom blog template. I should learn to do the same for my website while I’m at it. My problem is when I try to do my own update (while reading instructions, etc) I ending creating a larger and more expensive problem than if I just hired someone to do it. How do you balance the two?
Carla´s last blog … Link Love: Bottled water, organic produce and more…
Hi Carla,
I had that same problem and that’s why it’s important to go to a site like htmldog.com so you understand the logic behind CSS. Instead of just memorizing the code (as Paul said above), understand how the tag affects the page. It really helps with troubleshooting when you have problems like that.
Also I started creating very simple pages from scratch using CSS and that helps too. The problem with editing someone else’s template is you often miss the source of the issue. You may be editing one div tag but not realizing there is a surrounding div tag that is causing the section to behave a certain way.
So really learning the fundamentals is a good way to keep from making the issue worse.
I don’t know what platform you use but, if possible, create a dummy site to experiment with. There are numerous free web templates that you can hack away at either on your own computer or on the same server as your main site.
I would also consider the firebug plugin for firefox. It allows you to see the CSS for any part of ANY site and, more importantly, MODIFY the code in real time just to see what happens. Indespensable.
Darryl´s last blog … Message to the Music Industry: Go Ahead and Die Already
I’m a web designer and I create my own templates for my blog. Learning HTML and CSS is really easy, it should take only about an hour.
claire´s last blog … How to Boost Self-Confidence
Follow on Twitter: @ysdata
I agree, I use blogs and websites. I have change the blog formatted from the template to suite my needs. Know a little html, php, and CSS is important.
Yvette´s last blog … Why I Purchased Bank Certificates of Deposits – CDs
Hi Lisa,
We are going to the future these days and for a person making a website, knowledge of html is not necessary, why should it be any way?
Lets say some one is making a site about breast feeding for infants, why would that person require to learn html? With a good blogging software, they can set up a great blog, much better than what they could have done themselves and along with that focus on providing great content.
This is just my two cents.
True, no doubt about that, but you are still limited if you don’t learn CSS. In my experience with helping people get started online, most of them have no trouble setting up a blog initially (as you said).
But it’s only a matter of time before they want to learn how to customize their blog beyond the basic template. They usually ask me, “OK so how do I change my header?” “Or how do I add a 3rd column?” Most people eventually get tired of the out-of-the-box template that 100,000 other bloggers are using and they want to customize it.
I’m not suggesting they become programmers. They should just learn the basics for customization to make their blog stand out.
Hi
thanks for lovely guidance. i follow ur blog from three months. i have learned a lot from u. i have now sarkarinaukri.net blog with thesis theme single registered version.
i have also installed open hooks plugin supported in thesis theme. plz tell how i insert banner of adsense by size 728-90. but i don’t know bcz i am new in wordpress. so plz tell how i insert ads in header.
thanks
pankaj singla
pankaj singla´s last blog … MPPSC- Jobs for Engineers in MPPSC July09
Hi Lisa
came across your site when searching for information on wordpress thesis. Although I am totally getting what you are saying, for my needs you are further along in blogging.
I am a hands on tactile mixed media artist living in a rural area of Australia and have just made the decision to enter the world of blogging to widen my audience, both for teaching and selling my art.
Although I will regularly read your info, with the obvious knowledge you have, my question is:
For a blogger or website dummy, do you have some sites that you would recommend a visit for the very very basic training and info (in plain english not total tech talk) on setting up a blog as a complete novice?
I’m asking only as I would trust a site you suggested rather than goggling and trying to get through the minefield of irrelevant stuff.
Thanks so much and I’m sure it won’t be long before I am on the way with my ART business blog!!
Lainey x
Hi Lainey,
Have you tried http://www.htmldog.com ?
Follow on Twitter: @claremontdesign
Knowledge with basic HTML+CSS and a little bit PHP is a great edge for blogger or web designers wannabe. It should be learned even with the availability of web design editors out there.
Follow on Twitter: @jwall777
This was so easy to understand. I’ve stared at CSS for awhile, and the thing that floored me was what went where on the css page and the html page. While some may see no need to get so involved with web languages, I am fascinated by it. It’s not enough for me to know that a thing works; I want to know why and how I can manipulate it. Thank you.
Very interesting subject and some valid points have been made. However, I believe if you have the funds than you should not get caught up with a process that will take you away from what you truly enjoy. If anything learn enough that will allow you to tweak – the basics.
At the same token, if you pay attention you’ll know when a site/blog may not be working and that it is time to go full blown or to try something new. And then once again you have a choice to either outsource or learn so you can go at it solo.
A blog is easy to start difficult to maintain and sustain. It take effort and attention.
Follow on Twitter: @grapplerblog
but if you have the stamina to keep going, how successful can you get? I mean without having great design or any special traffic generation, or optimization.
just with decent content and time?
Follow on Twitter: @grapplerblog
I had one question maybe you know the answer. I have a blog and wanted to write more focused content depending on what people look for.
Is there a way to check what people are searching for on google? Like can you select a topic e.g. “apples” , and can you see how many apple related searches there are?
this would really help to guide about what it would be great to write about and what users are looking to find out more about
grappler´s last blog … Dana White rumored to announce signing Fedor for the UFC this Friday
Follow on Twitter: @cfyves
Coming from a web development background I agree that it can be a great asset for blog owners to learn the basics of CSS and HTML.
Nowadays, if someone even wants to take it a step further and learn PHP and or ColdFusion there are many great tools that can simply be downloaded, unzipped (zip file) and voila.. ready to install a Wordpress blog… something to play with before trying to modify code on a server.
Something like PortableApps has everything included (for PHP)…
http://portableapps.com/apps/development/xampp
But…. start at the basics!! HTML + CSS. Then graduate to the other stuff if desired.
Yves´s last blog … How to place website ads – my beginning
Follow on Twitter: @pobmarketing
Funny that you would say that starting a blog is easy. I ran into so many small business owners who either didn’t know what a blog was, or couldn’t figure out how to get one, that I created a site just to help get them over the learning curve. And, of course, I recommend Wordpress with Thesis as one of my favorite platforms (I also like Squarespace and sometimes Joomla if they need a CMS).
Anyhow, I found your site through your Thesis video. Lots of great posts. Thanks for sidetracking me from my own blogging…
Patrick O’Brien
POB Marketing
Business Blogging JumpStart´s last blog … Welcome To Business Blogging JumpStart
Follow on Twitter: @extraordinare
A blog is simple a Content Management System. You can use Wordpress to create a blog or a website. Simply put it separates your content from your layout. I have used a Wordpress template to create my website which just so happens to have a blog. I don’t think of the argument as either or but a revolution in web development. By separating content from design you allow anyone to update your website. Designers can focus on more challenging concerns and less with spell checking and page updating.
Kino Mondesir´s last blog … Backup and Recovery
Hi Lisa,
I just installed wordpress because I also want to start blogging, but I obviously also know html/css and some php. That makes me wonder if it’s a good idea to completely replace your website with a blog, or just start a blog in addition?
Kind regards,
Cheryl
Follow on Twitter: @coolguythampy
I guess what you told about people not knowing HTML or CSS is very true. When i started out with my very first website I used dreamweaver and to be honest i still needed to code even though dreamweaver claimed to be the ultimate in WYSIWYG tool. My friend started blogging a month ago and he seems to be doing well with his blog but has no idea of how to do even the smallest of customizations and spends big money on free lance sites to get even the simplest of things done. I guess people should really start from the basics
Forex tips´s last blog … Bank forex trading
Hi Lisa.
I just found your website and i’ve been reading all morning!
This is a question that’s really got me stumped for what to do next. I’m already pretty good at designing websites but have never used a blog. As I’m about to start a venture into building affiliate niche websites, do you think a blog would be better in terms of growing it naturally, getting SE traffic etc?
Thanks …
Tessa
Hi Tessa,
Blogs typically do get found faster in the SE’s due to they are usually updated more frequently, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have just as much success with a website. The deciding factor should be what method is best for displaying your content.
Thanks Lisa.
So, if I were to build my webistes and update them often, they should do just as well as blogs in the SE’s? Or is that over-simplifying it LOL?
BTW, thanks for the great CSS tutorial:-)
Tessa
Follow on Twitter: @extraordinare
Well all blogs are websites but not all websites are blogs. A confusing comment I know but I here is a simplified version of what I am saying. All Hummers are suvs but not all SUV’s are Hummers. The general definition of a website is a list of pages under the same domain.
While you could create a static website adding content would be difficult because you would be constantly using a web editor to add new content. This isn’t as hard as it sounds but one challenge is that you would need a WYSIWYG editor loaded on every machine you wish to use to add content, this isn’t always convenient. Also you might want to have someone else few or edit your web pages but not necessarily have access to the website.
A content management system is the best way to do that. You shouldn’t have to mess with the look and feel too much because their are many templates to use. While Wordpress is considered a blogging tool its much more powerful than that. Its a CMS, which separates content from layout. I know what you are thinking. Isn’t this was CSS is supposed to do. CSS is supposed to separate the presentation from the layout of the page. That means one style sheet can control the look of your entire website but it doesn’t separate the content. Only the styling of content. Making words bold, changing the color of the background, etc.
Anyone starting with web design should take a look at Joomla, Wordpress, Drupal since these are open source initiatives and have a large community of developers and users. I have been using Wordpress for about a year now and I have learned alot. Take a look at my site and you will see you can have both a website and a blog. Having your postings on a separate page.
Kino´s last blog … How Virtualization Can Help You Go Green and Save Money
Thanks for your thoughts Kino.
I agree that WP is a great CMS platform but I’ve already got 2 html sites on page 1 of google. In fact one of them has been at no. 1 for over two years and i hardly ever update it.
I was wondering if blogs have the same sticking power. My thoughts would be that if they aren’t updated, they would gradually slip down the SE’s.
Tessa
you have some very nice blog and site Lisa
FunnyMouse´s last blog … Horse video – Lopen Jack
Please,i want to create blog which i do not have previuos knowledge before,how do i go through this.
Follow on Twitter: @ZanMarr
This post is very true, I thought I could get by without learning more html, or css, but I see how this would negatively impact my blog and business. Ahh more stuff to learn , this blog business is very challenging, I Love it! thanks for a great post!
Iskander Marrero´s last blog … Click all the way to the bank? or NOT?
Im very inspired by this and also very scared. Currently, Im in school with a five year old daughter and not able to work a 9 to 5. I have tried several things and nothing has worked. All this sounds good but I need to be walked through this. I see the instructions (perfectsiteguide) manual but is everything acquired through customer service with different sites. Im just dumb to this but very interested, this sounds like the answer to my prayer. Please respond
Follow on Twitter: @ilyhoney
Hi Lisa,
I would really like to get the info from the video…but I am hard of hearing. Is there anyway to get it in script? Even if it’s an abbreviated version. I love reading your information, thanks.
Thanks for some very useful information. I want to create something where visitors to my web site can post a comment, but I want to be able to vet it before it gets published. At the moment I am not sure how to go abut doing this. Some simple advice would be appreciated ?