What’s a blog-powered web site? Well, the LarsonCreative.net web site is one! kathy’s-art.com, themainplace.com, and villagetheatrearts.com are examples too. While they looks and act like a regular web site as seen in LarsonCreative.net blog-powered web sites take advantage of a comprehensive set of off-the-shelf, often open source tools that allow modules to be added and customized. I use design to make these interact seamlessly.

Basic Web Site Features

• Distinctly-designed home page.
• Main navigation found on every page and other elements entice visitors to explore your entire site.
• CSS-driven pages that define the color, fonts, and other design elements and gives the site a cohesive “look and feel” and brand.

What the Blog Platforms Adds:

• A blog, of course, provides reader interactivity and updated content.
• Authorized users can add, edit, and delete content on EVERY page with minimal HTML knowledge.
• Enhanced web site elements, which often can be cost-prohibitive, are easily and inexpensively added, including:
  • Blog template designs can be easily modified and branded with CSS knowledge.
  • Developing an Internet-based taxonomy, which categorizes site information, helps readers and administrators to manage and find information.
  • Contact forms allow visitors to easily reach you.
  • Adding web site forums and/or comments allow readers to get involved in the site.
  • Allows multiple-user access, including defining different roles and touch points for each (including banning particular users as well).
  • E-commerce can be added just as with any web site.
  • It’s simple to add imagery and visual interest to every page with minor HTML knowledge.
  • Adding advertising and banners to pages is fairly straightforward and easily managed.
  • Pushing content to readers and subscribers via RSS feeds keeps them informed without them having to visit the site or get their inboxes filled with unwanted emails (Google’s - Feedburner offers a lot of tools to help publicize you content.)
  • Adding news aggregators allows you to include industry news to your site, keeping it fresh and interesting.
  • Easy to establish and track web site statistics and success metrics.
  • Can add fun elements like contests and forms without design constraints.
  • Multiple writers can be responsible for developing and managing content.