The development of a website for blog posting is, naturally, very different to the more complicated process of eCommerce website development. But what are the main differences between building these two very different types of websites? For starters, each of these sites has a very different purpose. And with that, differing functionality is required. For instance, a blog website usually requires minimal technical functionality and does not need a particularly over-the-top user experience (UX) or compelling site interactivity. On the other hand, an eCommerce website will often call for more complex navigability and interactive functionality, as well as the facility for an external payment gateway that can allow site visitors to make purchases through the site itself.
Blog Websites versus eCommerce Websites: What's the Difference?
Blog Websites can be relatively simple to construct. Admittedly, a blog website can be quite easily thrown together using a default and pre-defined website interface, such as WordPress. This is unlike eCommerce websites, which often call for a more involved web development process. As such, if you're looking to create a more complicated eCommerce site, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a web development agency that can assist with building a website that contains all the functionality you need for your eCommerce business to thrive.
eCommerce Websites: Characteristics and Functionality
As mentioned, an eCommerce website requires a good level of user interactivity and site navigability to entice prospective customers to interact with the goods being sold on the website and make a purchase. As such, the eCommerce website's user experience or UX needs to be sound. Just as importantly, an external payment gateway needs to be established to enable and allow for online purchases. An eCommerce payment gateway can be a complex addition to a website, often requiring a 'plug-in' to be added to the web development platform on which the eCommerce site is being built. Of course, there are various plug-ins available to web developers, each performing different functions. However, these plug-ins require more technical ability, skills and knowledge to incorporate into a website than simply building a simple blog site.
Blog Websites: Characteristics and Functionality
In sharp contrast to eCommerce websites, which often need to be purpose-built, blog websites can be quite easily developed using pre-prepared site interfaces. WordPress is a great example of these types of default website interfaces. A program such as WordPress allows the blogger or blog website creator to simply upload written or visual content within the parameters of the existing site design. Using a program like this also means that the blog website development process is relatively simple, and does not require complicated website coding skills to complete.
What is an eCommerce Website Used for, and How Does this Differ from a Blog Website?
The main characteristic that defines and sets an eCommerce website apart from other websites is its ability to facilitate transactions and purchases online. As such, online users can search for, locate and buy goods and services through this website - essentially making it a one-stop online shopping destination. It also means that the eCommerce business owner can process orders and accept payments through this same website as well.
A blog website, on the other hand, is generally used to post written content. On this subject, it can also be noted that with the rise of Search Engine Optimisation or SEO, some blogs are now being utilised to publish guest outreach posts. Also known as blogger outreach, guest outreach posts are an important element of SEO today. Blogger outreach or guest outreach posting essentially involves the creation of written content that incorporates links to another external website. The goal is to direct organic traffic to this external website by linking to it within the body of the blog outreach post text. This method is becoming a very effective element of digital marketing, which is seeing a great deal of success in the SEO space.
There are many differences between blog websites and eCommerce websites. Not least, the differences in their technical functionality, as well as the different user experiences they each provide to their online visitors. However, most importantly, eCommerce websites stand apart from other websites in that they are also online transaction portals. For an eCommerce website to be a successful online shopping destination, it must be equipped with an online payment gateway. This can be added to the website via a 'plug-in' program.
Usually, a website 'plug-in' needs to be incorporated into a website by a professional website developer. For this reason, eCommerce websites are much more complicated to produce than simple blog websites. As mentioned, a blog website can be quite easily built using pre-determined interface programs which offer default website designs. Blog content can simply be uploaded into existing interface parameters, making for a relatively speedy website build.
