Web Site or Blog Site? Iowa Dental Assoc.

By on November 6, 2006 in Blog Coach with 11 Comments

The Iowa Dental Association recently launched their new look. Quick Quiz: Web Site or Blog Site?

Iowadentalnew_1

It’s a web site, built on blogware (Movable Type). The IDA has three blogs (all for association use only), but each page is built on blogware, making it easier for them to update content.

Because we used blogware, it didn’t – and won’t – cost them as much as other solutions. I think we improved the look and feel of their presence, too. here’s their previous look:

Iowadentalold

Nice work by DWebware (they blog, too), Sandy Renshaw,  and Vikki at Geek-Goddess on this project.

Web Sites and Blog Sites are converging so that the differences are less recognized – except in improved communication and better findability.

Do you hear what I hear? Sounds like a train.

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  • http://essentialkeystrokes.com Char

    That is a great solution – I have considered that strategy for a number of clients and it is looking more and more promising, too. I love the new look, too!

  • http://www.divamarketingblog.com Toby

    Great look and feel. And I’m betting the easier navigation results in more readers staying longer on the site .. and hopefully more members for the association.

  • http://www.brandstorming.com Jim Durbin

    Excellent use of blogging software – and don’t forget the SEO benefits!
    We’re doing the same thing with clients, pitching blog software as a cheaper, easier to use way to manage online content. Add the blogs to static webpages for a hybrid site, and you really do have a train coming down the tracks.
    (And when I say cheaper, it’s about 60% of the cost (while still doing more))

  • http://www.instigatorblog.com Ben Yoskovitz

    There’s no question for smaller websites that using blogware makes sense. Even if you’re not modifying the template design extensively you can get a good looking and very functional site up and running quick. You can of course modify the look completely if you’d like, but I think a lot of smaller businesses will stick (fairly close) to using good templates.
    I’m working on a project taking this approach – blogware, template (modified to a degree), focus on great content, SEO (comes naturally) and helping this small business get involved online.
    I should point out – blogware works for big sites too, but it’s a no-brainer for small ones, whereas bigger sites have other issues to navigate.

  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    >Thanks, Char…by putting the complete site on the blogware, it really makes it easy on the customer (as Jim points out in his comment). Just one tool to update any page or post on the blog.
    >Toby, you’re so right…The core audience here is members of the association. We hope that the easier navigation promotes use of all the resources.
    >Yes! Jim…You got it. Understandably so. Keep up the great work – I’m sure your clients (and blog readers) are benefitting greatly and saving money (and time). Stay contagious.
    >Ben…good point and I’ve found your thought about small businesses staying closer to templates true – especially if it’s their first step into havin a web presence. There are the moving parts (database, logins, ecommerce, etc) with big sites – and that’s why we went with a served solution for IDA.
    Thanks for the great feedback! I look forward to seeing the gap between web sites and blog sites come together.

  • http://www.OwnYourBrand.com Michael Wagner

    Hi Mike – you know what I think.
    Awesome!!!
    The right solution for right client because you are committed to doing the right thing.
    I hear the train too!
    Mike

  • http://custserv.gbwatch.com Meikah Delid

    I agree with you, Mike, when you say that web sites and blog sites are converging so that the differences are less recognized – except in improved communication and better findability. I’m working on another blog, which I think will be turned into a website one of these days. I like the transformation of Iowa Dental Association site. :)

  • http://www.grnoakpark.com James Waltonj

    much much better and approachable.

  • http://www.wehuberconsultingllc.com/wordpress Bill Huber

    This week I converted a static web site for our Habitat for Humanity affiliate over to WordPress, http://www.millcreekvalleyhfh.org. Our biggest problem with the old site was stale content and the updates had to funnel through a web site developer who was occasionally unresponsive.
    Some of the advantages I believe we will see are:

    1. We should see more frequent updates to the web site since creating posts with blogging software is so easy.
    2. We should get better content by using multiple authors.
    3. We should see a greater sense of community with the donors, volunteers, and partner families.
    4. RSS with email subscriptions may be a better way for keeping in touch with donors and volunteers.
  • http://www.converstations.com Mike Sansone

    > Thanks, JD.
    Bill – Great work on Mill Creek Valley. Thanks for sharing it. Each of your points is an important part of what will make blogware a preferred publishing platform for organizations like these. Good stuff!

  • http://www.fidleronthetooth.com/dentists-seattle.html Hellaii07

    Congrats for a new web site.

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