This post explains the various components that make up a blog. There are several blogging platforms to choose from. I recommend Wordpress or Typepad. Business Blog Consultant is on a self-hosted (HostGator.com) Wordpress.org blog using a premium theme. My Real Estate Coach Blog is on Typepad.
Design Options
Most of the blogging platforms have a variety of template designs and format options. After deciding on a theme, you’ll want to decide if you want the 1, 2 , or 3 column format. I prefer the 2 column format. So, let’s use my blog as the example to describe the various elements. This premium theme is designed to have the look and feel of a website. So, the home page is more like a landing page with key areas and a flash-style featured image in the header. Once you click on a link, you enter the actual “blog”.
Most blogs have a distinct header which contains the blog name and tagline. TIP: The title and subtitle should tell the reader what to expect in your blog.
Main Section
Next, the middle or main section contains the blog posts. The most recent at the top and then listed in reverse chronological order. The posts are your content for the blog – mini-articles, commentary, information, etc. Each post has a specific title and date. My page is set for a maximum of 10 posts on the front page.
Other features of the blog post:
Categories – relevant keywords or tags for the post. Categories are a critical navigational and organization tool for your blog. Choosing the right categories will help readers find your content later. Note that there is a CATEGORY area in the sidebar for quick navigation to all posts on a specific topic. You can have multiple categories for a specific post.
Permalink - A permanent link (or URL – webpage address) to the specific post. This allows other bloggers to link to your post on their blog. It is also a link to the permanent location of the blog post for future reference or use.
Comments – A key distinguishing feature of a blog vs. a traditional website. This is where a reader can post their comments to your individual post. Your blogging software will have options for approving and even allowing comments.
Trackback – A way of tracking a thread of comments/conversation on a particular post. For example, I write a post on my blog. You write a post on your blog and include my trackback URL. My blog will now update the original post with a link to every blog that has tracked back to me, allowing me and my readers to see who has commented on the post and what they have said.
Social Links - This widget/plugin allows a viewer to share the post on their favorite social networks and services.
Sidebar Features
Categories – a navigation method to find posts on a topic – discussed above
Archives – links to all posts by date. Another way to find posts. Remember, after the front page has 10 posts (or whatever you choose) the older posts can only be found via categories or archives (or if your know the specific Permalink or Trackback URL)
Recent Comments – an option to list the most recent approved comments from readers
BlogRolls – This is a list of links to your favorite blogs, resources or websites.
Search – many blog platforms have a useful search feature so visitors can search for posts using various keywords.
RSS, email – very important feature! This is how readers can subscribe to your blog. All the major blog software platforms have this as an automatic feature. I highly recommend getting an account with Feedburner.com and using this service for your RSS feed and email subscription.
Pages - With this feature I can add specific Pages – much like a website.
Misc Widgets – There are a myriad of extras to add to your sidebar. You can simply Google Wordpress plugins or widgets. If you are using a Wordpress.org blog – the Wordpress Plugin directory is very useful.
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