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SiteSell recently launched a new site called Blog or Build? — their definitive answer to those who ask the big question…

“Blog or Website?”

From a business standpoint, the page is brilliant. SiteSell sells websites, not blogs. So of course it makes sense to push the benefits of a website and display blogging in a less favorable light.

Let’s be honest. Blogging threatens SiteSell’s business because so many people are lured into starting a blog over a website. After all, blogging is free, quick and easy to setup.

As a result, SiteSell is making its case for why most Webmasters should start with a website and not a blog.

They offer some very valid points on this page, but I don’t agree with everything written. For example, the statement below was taken from the page…

“Blogs usually have high Bounce Rates no matter what since normal visitor behavior is to read the newest post and then leave.”

This is true for many new blogs with small readerships. Most new blogs only show the recent posts because the authors tend to use standard templates and very little static content. So people read the latest posts and leave without exploring older content.

Blogs often appear as a plethora of disjointed information scattered about with no cohesiveness. And if you write a post that doesn’t fit with everything else, just add a new category and suddenly it fits! Right?

Some readers get lost and have trouble connecting with the content as a whole.

But there is a remedy for the high bounce rates… to a point.

If you learn how to strategically display mature content, you can increase your readership depth and lower your bounce rates. WordPress plugins are a great way to accomplish this.

Before I added the “Related Posts” plugin from WordPress, many of my recent posts received the most traffic while the older posts were buried and ignored.

If you want people to read more of your blog, you should find ways to make the older content visible. Darren Rowse of ProBlogger.net does this extremely well on his homepage with his “Best of Blogger” section.

This not only allows his audience to read more of his older content, but the static links have a greater chance of gaining and/or maintaining their search engine rankings because the content won’t fall off the homepage like “recent posts” tend to do.

This also gives him a chance to display his “important” content that shapes his blog’s identity. I find that many bloggers have trouble with this part due to how blog content is published.

In order to give your blog more staying power, you should create static pages that “stay put” and help give your blog direction and focus — rather than relying on the typical blog post that is hot for a few days and then falls off the radar.

So you can work with a blog so it shares some of the content benefits of a website. This is definitely something I know I need to improve upon in the near future.

My point is, some of the disadvantages SiteSell speaks of can be fixed. The question is…. “Will the average new blogger understand how to do this effectively?” Perhaps that’s SiteSell’s point. In their eyes, the average person usually doesn’t.

Stirring The Pot

This article won’t sit well with some bloggers, particularly those who’ve had any kind of success. But that’s not who the article was written for. It’s for those on the fence trying to decide if they want a blog or a website.

And quite honestly, if I was teetering between the two and read that page, I’d have to say SiteSell makes a pretty compelling case for why the average person should start with a website instead of a blog.

They want people to know that creating a blog is not necessarily a shortcut to success. And while they are some benefits to blogging, it’s not an ideal start for most e-businesses.

I also want to point out they are not saying that no one should ever create a blog. There are definitely the exceptions and they are clearly explained in the article.

The point was also made that successful bloggers earn their status because they are exceptional writers and know how to generate traffic. Not necessarily because they chose a blog over a website. Content is always king.

I’ll Continue to Blog Because I Enjoy It

I have a blog now, but I’m glad I started with a website. I now have a traffic base that I can use to help promote this new WordPress blog.

And because I already have a site with steady traffic, I don’t feel that added pressure some bloggers feel when it comes to generating fresh content to keep that traffic coming in.

If this blog never gets to 8,000 visitors a day like my regular website, I’m OK with that. I also have proof this blog is beneficial to my overall goals.

One good thing about owning an established website is you can leave it for months and traffic can continue to build. This is not always true for blogs… especially if they are new.

Of course more established, heavily trafficked blogs can take a content break and still benefit from the traffic and revenue. However, most bloggers never reach that level.

Despite the odds SiteSell declares, I’ll continue to blog. I enjoy it. It allows me to talk about what’s on my mind at the moment.

I can appeal to the people who prefer to hear from me in a blog format and let my website appease the rest. I’m at a place where I can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Could I be one of those exceptions SiteSell speaks about? Maybe. Only time will tell. And while I do think SiteSell made some great points, I also know quite a few people who have successful blogs and no website.

But I wholeheartedly agree that the blog buzz can be misleading. When it’s that easy to setup and launch a blog, it can give newbies false hope that it’s somehow an easier route to success.

Nothing out here is easy, my friend. And every website owner or blogger who is making good money definitely earned their stripes.

So take some time to read SiteSell’s argument about blogs. There are some valid points, but you also have to keep in mind this is written from a company who sells websites, not blogs. So a touch of biasness is to be expected.

Should you create a blog or a website? Do you need both like me? There is never a definitive answer to that question. Educate yourself on the facts, read SiteSell’s article and decide what’s best for your situation.

Good content is king.

The more useful, relevant and unique it is, the more likely it will connect with its intended audience.

So why don’t people keep this in mind when commenting on blogs?

I’ve been generating decent traffic from this lately, and it’s mainly because I’ve revised my commenting strategy.

I used to reply with a quick comment like “Great post, thanks.” That may be cordial, but it’s not very unique or noticeable.

So of course my comments got lumped in with all the other “Great post” variations.

Now I take a little time to craft my comment and the results are paying off. Here are some tips to help you become a more effective blog commentor.

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Disagree

When I’m scanning comments on other blogs, I always find myself reading comments from people who disagree. Why? …

Because their comment stands out among all the “Great post!” comments.

Disagreeing doesn’t have to be rude or disrespectful. There is a tactful way to do it. Simply state that you disagree and more importantly explain why.

This is your time to shine and potentially prove you are a credible source. This may also engage other readers and the author.

Back up your reasons with facts and useful information. Saying you disagree just for the sake of disagreeing is pretty pointless.

2. Make ‘em Laugh

Lighten up and inject some humor where appropriate. You’ll be surprised how this will make people look twice at your comment.

Most blog comments are serious. Make yours stand out with some light-hearted fun.

3. Create a Powerful Opening Line

Just like writing content for your blog or website, you want to get people’s attention. Consider that opening line to be your comment’s headline.

Most people scan, so if they their eye happens to catch your witty opening line, you’ve just increased the chance they’ll read your comment instead of skimming to the next.

4. Add Another Item to the List

I often look for blog posts where the author mentions an ordered list of items – for example, “5 Ways to Build Traffic.” In your comment, why not suggest a 6th way, and if #6 has worked for you, briefly explain how.

Obviously people reading this post are interested in ways to build traffic, so naturally they’ll find your addition relevant and hopefully useful.

5. Impress The Author

Nothing impresses Webmasters more when blog commentors show they are familiar with their work. When it’s relevant, refer back to previous content the author has written and tie it into your comment.

Sometimes this puts you on the author’s radar. Perhaps they’ll even visit your site. It never hurts to seek out a few brownie points… especially if the author has a large audience. They may decide to feature your site in one of their posts.

I always look twice at someone who makes a well thought out comment, especially if it’s clear they’ve been reading my work.

Who doesn’t need their ego stroked once and a while, right?

6. Look for Highly Relevant Posts

Use the blog’s search function to find posts that match up well with the theme of your site and comment on them.

Say you have a blog about fantasy football and you are reading a sports blog. Do a search for “fantasy football” and look for posts that will allow you to show off your knowledge and expertise.

7. Use the Name of Your Site Instead of Your Name

When you fill out a comment form, most blogs will link your name to your site’s URL. Instead of using your name, use a catchy, keyword-focused name that may encourage people to click on your site.

I have to be honest. I’ve never done this, but may try this in the future. I added this strategy to the list because I was reading a comment on my own blog, and I actually clicked the person’s link because their title caught my attention.

Keep It Short and Simple

No one wants to read a novel. While it’s important to add something of substance, you also don’t want to get ignored because you wrote too much. More is not necessarily better.

Make your key points quickly, and do so without a lot of fluff and fillers.

9) Comment on Other Comments

If you can spark a meaningful conversation with another commentor, this can also draw some attention to your site. Not only will this increase your visibility, but you get a chance to show off your knowledge.

10) ???

I’ll leave #10 to you. Have you done anything useful I did not mention? What were the results?

(Hint: This is where you put Tip #4 into action.)