Blog Versus Website For Second/Third Blog

  • Resolved anamericanindublin

    (@anamericanindublin)


    10 years, 2 months ago

    I’m a current WordPress blogger (have been for about three years), and while I am a fan of the WP ease of use and other things, as I look to expand my writing into a couple of other areas, I’m wondering if WordPress (or any “blog”) platform is right for that next move.

    In the next six months I’m planning on starting two new projects (separate from my current blog). One of them will be a small self-hosted food blog that I’ll definitely do on WordPress. The other will be a much larger food and travel content site. These two projects have raised a few questions in my mind about using WordPress. Both projects will rarely be updated more than 2x/month.

    I hope the forum can set me straight on these questions:

    1. I’m already self-hosting my current blog and am happy with my provider. If I want to self-host the small food blog with the same host, do I simply create a new site within the current WP install with my host, or do I actually install another copy of WP and create the new blog through that?

    2.And if there are multiple ways of creating a second and third self-hosted blog, what are the various advantages/disadvantages of each?

    3. For the larger food/travel site, I’ve searched for themes that fit my likes/wants/needs, but haven’t found anything I like. Is it possible to have a designer create a custom theme for me with multiple levels of page designs (parent/child/grandchild/great grandchild, etc.)?

    4. If I’m going to go with a custom design, what is the advantage of a “blog” over simply using Dreamweaver or some other WYSIWYG to create a “website” (what is the technical difference between “blog” and “website” these days)? Is one better than the other for certain applications?

    Thanks for any and all advice.

    -Glenn

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • I’m wondering if WordPress (or any “blog”) platform is right for that next move.

    It obviously is.

    I hope the forum can set me straight on these questions:

    Sure.

    1. I’m already self-hosting my current blog and am happy with my provider. If I want to self-host the small food blog with the same host, do I simply create a new site within the current WP install with my host, or do I actually install another copy of WP and create the new blog through that?

    We think you have done a one click installation of WordPress and, maybe chosen, or not chosen, allow mulitsite while doing so. Well, it doesn’t matter much though.

    For adding sites to your existing WordPress install, you need to create a Multisite Network. Using and configuring a Multsite Network is very easy. A little work is involved, but that’s only once. WordPress Multisite will allow you to create as many sites as you wish under the same dashboard.

    Here’s how you Create Your Own Network of WordPress sites.

    After you’ve allowed multisite, you will only be able to create Sub-domains or Sub-directories. To enable/use another site which is not a sub-domain, you will have to use the WordPress MU Domain Mapping Plugin.

    You can download it from the WordPress Plugin Repository.

    After downloading it follow these instructions to install it.

    Take special note of this point.

    If you are using CPanel, use the Park a Domain menu to set the mapped domain to your main installtion.

    Here’s an additional guide with illustrations for installing the same plugin.

    If you get stuck, don’t mind to post again.

    2.And if there are multiple ways of creating a second and third self-hosted blog, what are the various advantages/disadvantages of each?

    There are. It really depends on your needs though. One would be to have a separate installation of each site. The other would be to do a Multsite Installation. The latter is preferred by most. As it saves a lot of time if one has to use the same theme/plugin on many different sites.

    3. For the larger food/travel site, I’ve searched for themes that fit my likes/wants/needs, but haven’t found anything I like. Is it possible to have a designer create a custom theme for me with multiple levels of page designs (parent/child/grandchild/great grandchild, etc.)?

    Free themes usually do the work for some time, and then almost every blogger outgrows it. You may look for a paid theme, or you may want to go to the official job board to look for a good WordPress Developer. And yes, you can create as many child themes you want.

    4. If I’m going to go with a custom design, what is the advantage of a “blog” over simply using Dreamweaver or some other WYSIWYG to create a “website” (what is the technical difference between “blog” and “website” these days)? Is one better than the other for certain applications?

    Well, the technical difference is that your Content and your Design remain different when it comes to using a CMS platfrom like WordPress. (Yippee!) It allows for easy import/export of content. Plus, you may edit your website’s look and feel as many times as you want.

    Hope we answered all your questions satisfactorily.

    Thread Starter anamericanindublin

    (@anamericanindublin)

    Awesome.

    Thanks.

    You’re welcome anamericanindublin.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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