WORK FROM YOUR LAPTOP

Should I Use a Blogroll or Static Page for my Website?

Should i use a blogroll or static page

If you’re building a website, one of the first questions you may ask yourself is, “Should I use a blogroll or static page for my website?” Which is better when it comes to the design and user experience of the home page of your website?

Contents hide
Should I Use a Blogroll or Static Page for my Website?
Understanding the Purpose and Function of Blogrolls and Static Pages
How to Create a Blogroll or Static Page on Your Website
Pros and Cons of Blogrolls and Static Pages
Final Thoughts
Related Posts

Should I Use a Blogroll or Static Page for my Website?

If you want to focus attention on your published articles, using a blogroll will work nicely. If you want to showcase the features and resources your website has to offer, then a static page may be a better option for you.

Creating either one is easy, so choosing which is the best for your niche website depends on the message you want to get across.

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Understanding the Purpose and Function of Blogrolls and Static Pages

There are two different approaches when it comes to designing the homepage of your website: blogrolls and static pages. Each serves a unique purpose, so choosing which is best for your website means understanding the pros, the cons, and the functions of each.

The blogroll is the more traditional approach and often the default option when you’re building a website. It is simply a list of your latest posts, usually listing them from newest to oldest. If you’re writing new posts regularly like you should be, this means the blogroll is dynamic and always changing.

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Here’s an example of a blogroll from my Dominate Chess website:

sample of a blogroll

With the chess website pictured above I’m looking to showcase the articles I’ve published over a wide variety of chess related topics. A blogroll is perfect for doing this. A static page, however, is great for showcasing the features and resources your site has to offer. You also have full control over the design.

A static page gets its name because every time you arrive at a static page, for the most part it’s exactly the same as the last time you visited. It is often considered a more modern approach to presenting your homepage because of the freedom in design.

This website you’re currently on features a static page as its homepage. You can check it out here. (link will open in a new window).

With the Work From Your Laptop website homepage I’m looking to showcase the features and resources the website has to offer on is homepage. In this case, a static page is a perfect option.

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How to Create a Blogroll or Static Page on Your Website

Creating either a blogroll or static page is easy to do. I’ll be showing you how to create both using Wordpress since it is the global leader for website builders. By and large, the default setting for most websites you build with Wordpress is the blogroll. This setting can be found from your Wordpress dashboard under Settings>Reading.

blogroll option in wordpress

As you publish post after post they will automatically be listed on your homepage in the order of newest to oldest. The most user friendly setting for listing your published blogs is to show the title and an excerpt of the article along with a featured image.

You can choose to paginate the blogroll so that it lists a certain number of articles before offering the option to go to the next page. And remember, because this is normally the default setting for Wordpress websites, you don’t have to do a thing.

It’s automatic.

Setting up a static page allows for much more freedom and creativity with your home page and it only takes a few steps to set up. First, you’ll have to select the static page option from your settings in your Wordpress dashboard. Again, this option is found under Settings>Reading.

static page option in wordpress settings

You’ll also need to create two pages that you can then designate as your homepage and your posts page.

In this case I’ve already created a page called Work From Your Laptop and designated it as my homepage, and created a page called Blog and designated it as the page that will show my posts.

Now, to bring that homepage to life all I have to do is open the page editor, select the page I designated as my homepage, and start designing away. If you’re a visual learner like me, here’s an easy to follow video detailing the process.

Pros and Cons of Blogrolls and Static Pages

Blogrolls and static pages each have the benefits and downsides. Choosing which one is a better fit for you completely depends on the message you want to get across on your homepage.

Do you want to focus on your articles and content? Or do you want to focus on the features and resources your website has to offer?

Pros of blogrolls:

  • No work to implement since it is the default setting
  • Always changing, automatically showing newest content at the top
  • Great way to feature your content and the wide array of topics you cover

Cons of blogrolls:

  • Sometimes considered a “boring” approach to your homepage
  • Limits the different features and resources you can showcase on your homepage by only listing published content

Pros of static pages:

  • Great way to showcase the features and resources your website has to offer
  • Complete freedom in design

Cons of static pages:

  • More steps to implement than blogrolls
  • Additional pages have to be created
  • For the most part, static pages don’t change and can potentially become stagnant

One additional point I’d like to make is that blogrolls don’t have to be so “blah”. You can modernize your blogroll with a sleek design. Done correctly, both serve their purpose very well.

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Final Thoughts

Deciding between a blogroll and a static page depends 100% on what you’re trying to accomplish with your homepage. Both are great choices for the homepage of your website and both are very easy to implement.

What’s your preference when creating a homepage? Do you tend to use the traditional blogroll more or are you using your creativity to go nuts with static pages? Let me know what you think in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you and I always respond!

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  • Hey there, it's me, Eric from Work From Your Laptop on YouTube. Today, I want to talk to you about how to find your niche, whether you're doing this for YouTube or for affiliate marketing in general. I'm going to show you the major mistakes so many people make and the number one key to finding your golden ticket. In this article, I'll cover what a niche is, signs that you're in the wrong niche, the costs of being in the wrong niche, and the number one key to finding your very highly profitable niche. I'll also discuss self-assessment, market research and refinement, common pitfalls to avoid, and free tools you'll need to succeed. So, let's dive in and find out how you can hone in on that perfect niche and start building your online business today! Key Takeaways Choose a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service as your niche. Avoid low engagement, difficulty generating content ideas, and lack of passion or interest in your niche. The number one key to finding your niche is choosing something you have a genuine passion or interest in. What is a Niche? For the purposes of online business and this class, a niche is defined as a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service. It is a specific audience that you are targeting with your online business. Choosing the right direction for your niche involves understanding who your target audience is and selecting a specialized segment that is not overly general. Any segment of any audience who buys products online is a potential niche. However, there are specific keys, factors, and metrics that need to be considered when choosing from that infinite list of niches. Signs that you may have chosen the wrong niche include low engagement, difficulty generating content ideas, and lack of passion or interest. These can lead to limited growth potential, wasted time and effort, missed opportunities, and difficulty building up a dedicated audience. The number one key to finding your niche is choosing something you have a genuine passion or interest in. This places you smack dab in the middle of your target audience and brings relatability and connection between you and your audience. When you are creating content, you are right there shoulder to shoulder with them, in their shoes, and understand the types of questions they are searching for answers to. In conclusion, a niche is a specialized segment of the market that you are targeting with your online business. The key to finding the right niche is to choose something you have a genuine passion or interest in, as this will help you connect with your target audience and build a dedicated following. Signs You're in the Wrong Niche When it comes to finding your niche, it's important to choose wisely. Here are some signs that you may have chosen the wrong niche: Low engagement: If you're not getting traffic even though you're ranking at the top of search results, your niche may be too specialized. Difficulty generating content ideas: If you're struggling to come up with ideas for content, your niche may be too narrow. Lack of passion or interest: If you're not interested in your niche, it will be difficult to create content that resonates with your audience. Choosing a niche that you're passionate about is key to success. It allows you to connect with your audience and create content that speaks to them. Don't make the mistake of choosing a niche for the wrong reasons. Instead, take the time to do market research and choose a niche that's right for you. The Costs of Being in the Wrong Niche Choosing the wrong niche can have significant costs, both in terms of time and money. Here are some of the costs of being in the wrong niche: Limited growth potential: If you're in a niche that's too small or not growing, you'll find it difficult to expand your business and reach new customers. Wasted time and effort: If you're creating content or products that nobody wants, you'll be wasting your time and effort. Missed opportunities: If you're not in a profitable niche, you'll be missing out on opportunities to make money and grow your business. Difficulty building an audience: If you're in the wrong niche, you'll find it difficult to build a dedicated audience that's interested in your content or products. To avoid these costs, it's important to choose the right niche from the beginning. This means doing market research and choosing a niche that's both profitable and aligned with your interests and passions. Remember, choosing a niche solely based on the potential for high commissions or popularity is not enough. You must have a genuine interest in the niche to create content that resonates with your audience and builds a loyal following. The Number One Key to Finding Your Niche When it comes to finding your niche, there are a lot of mistakes that people make. But the number one key to finding your golden ticket is to choose something that you have a genuine passion or interest in. This is where you should start, before even considering factors like high ticket revenue or popular trends. Choosing a niche that you are passionate about places you right in the middle of your target audience. This brings relatability and a connection between you and your audience, making it easier to create content that resonates with them. When you have a genuine interest in the topic, you understand the types of questions that your audience is searching for answers to, which is crucial for successful keyword research and SEO. On the other hand, choosing a niche for the wrong reasons can lead to low engagement, difficulty generating content ideas, and a lack of passion or interest. These are all signs that you may have chosen the wrong niche. In summary, the number one key to finding your niche is to choose something that you are genuinely interested in. This will help you connect with your audience and create content that resonates with them. So, take some time to think about your passions and interests, and use them to guide your niche selection process. Self-Assessment Alright, now that we understand what a niche is and why it's important to choose the right one, let's talk about self-assessment. This is a crucial step in the process of finding your niche. You need to ask yourself some important questions to determine if a particular niche is right for you. Here are some things to consider when doing a self-assessment: Do I have a genuine passion or interest in this topic? Am I knowledgeable enough about this topic to create quality content? Can I see myself creating content about this topic for a long period of time? Is there a demand for this niche? Are there potential products or services to promote within this niche? Are there other successful creators in this niche? Answering these questions will help you determine if a niche is a good fit for you. It's important to choose a niche that you're passionate about and knowledgeable in because it will be easier to create content and connect with your audience. Additionally, you want to make sure there is a demand for the niche and potential products or services to promote. Remember, choosing the right niche is crucial for the success of your online business. Take the time to do a thorough self-assessment before committing to a niche. Market Research and Refinement As I mentioned earlier, finding the right niche is crucial to the success of your online business. In this section, I'll be discussing the importance of market research and refinement in identifying your niche. Market research involves gathering information about your potential audience, competitors, and market trends. It helps you understand your target audience, their needs, and preferences. This information is crucial in identifying gaps in the market that you can fill with your products or services. Refinement, on the other hand, involves narrowing down your niche to a specific audience or market segment. It involves identifying the most profitable and sustainable niche for your business. Here are some key points to keep in mind when conducting market research and refinement: Conduct a self-assessment: Identify your skills, interests, and passions. This will help you narrow down your niche to something you're passionate about. Use free tools: There are several free tools available online that can help you with market research and refinement. For example, Google Trends can help you identify popular search terms related to your niche. Identify your target audience: Conduct surveys, focus groups, or interviews to understand your target audience's needs, preferences, and pain points. Analyze your competitors: Identify your competitors and analyze their products, services, and marketing strategies. This will help you identify gaps in the market that you can fill. Refine your niche: Use the information gathered from market research to refine your niche. Identify the most profitable and sustainable niche for your business. Remember, market research and refinement are ongoing processes. You need to keep updating your strategies to stay relevant and competitive in the market. Common Pitfalls to Avoid When trying to find your niche, there are several common pitfalls that you should avoid. Here are some of the most important ones: Choosing a niche for the wrong reasons: This is a mistake that many people make. You might choose a niche because you think it will be profitable, but if you don't have a genuine interest in the topic, you'll quickly lose motivation. Being too specialized: While it's important to choose a niche that's specific enough to be profitable, you don't want to be so specialized that you can't generate enough content or attract enough traffic. Lack of passion or interest: As I mentioned earlier, this is the most important factor when choosing a niche. If you don't have a genuine interest in the topic, you'll struggle to create engaging content and connect with your audience. Difficulty generating content ideas: If you're struggling to come up with ideas for content, it might be a sign that your niche is too narrow. Try broadening your focus a little to see if that helps. Low engagement: If you're not getting much engagement on your content, it could be a sign that you're in the wrong niche. This could be because you're targeting the wrong audience, or because your niche is too specialized. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you'll be much more likely to find a profitable niche that you're passionate about. Free Tools You'll Need to Succeed When starting an online business, it's important to have access to the right tools to help you succeed. Here are some free tools that I recommend: Google Analytics: This tool allows you to track your website's traffic and gain insights into your audience's behavior. It's a great way to see what's working and what's not. Google Keyword Planner: This tool helps you find the right keywords to target for your content. By using the right keywords, you can improve your search engine rankings and attract more traffic to your site. Canva: This is a free graphic design tool that allows you to create stunning visuals for your website and social media channels. It's easy to use and requires no design experience. Hootsuite: Hootsuite is a social media management tool that allows you to schedule and manage your social media posts in one place. It's a great way to save time and stay organized. Mailchimp: Mailchimp is a free email marketing tool that allows you to create and send professional-looking emails to your subscribers. It's a great way to stay in touch with your audience and promote your products or services. By using these free tools, you can improve your online business and increase your chances of success. Remember, it's important to choose the right niche and have a genuine passion for what you're doing. With the right tools and mindset, you can achieve your goals and build a successful online business. Honing in on the Perfect Niche When it comes to finding the perfect niche, there are a few mistakes that you need to avoid. As someone who has been in the online business industry for a while, I have seen many people make these mistakes. In this section, I will share with you the number one key to finding your golden ticket and how to avoid these mistakes. First and foremost, let's define what a niche is. A niche is a specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service. Your niche is a specific audience that you're targeting with your online business. When choosing your direction, you need to understand who your target audience is. One mistake that many people make is choosing a niche for the wrong reasons. This can lead to low engagement and difficulty generating content ideas. It's important to choose a niche that you're passionate about and interested in. This will place you in the middle of your target audience and bring relatability to your content. Another mistake to avoid is choosing a niche that is too specialized. If you're ranking at the top of search results but still not getting traffic, you may have chosen a niche that is too narrow. It's important to find the sweet spot between being too broad and too specialized. Self-assessment, market research, and refinement are key factors in finding the perfect niche. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses and understand your target audience's needs and desires. Common pitfalls to avoid include choosing a niche solely for its high commissions or popularity. In conclusion, finding the perfect niche takes time and effort, but it's essential for the success of your online business. By avoiding common mistakes and focusing on your passion and interest, you can hone in on the perfect niche and build a dedicated audience.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This is a helpful post.  I have done both and am on then fence as to which is better.  I have two sites. One is for fishing equipment and one is about affiliate marketing.  I find that the fishing site lends itself to a blog roll on different aspects of fishing and the affiliate marketing needs a static page. I haven’t worked it out yet, but your article with be a good guide.

    Jim

    Reply

  2. One thing I’m curious about is whether there are any SEO implications for using a blogroll versus a static page. Does one option tend to be better for search engine rankings than the other? And if so, what are some strategies for optimizing either option to improve SEO? I appreciate it!

    Reply

    • There’s no SEO implications at all. It’s totally up to you and what you want to communicate with your website. Thanks for the comment!

      Reply

  3. For a long time I had a blogroll, then I changed to a static page. Recently I was wondering whether to turn back, Just this morning I was thinking that my structure needed looking at. Now I am thinking – that needs to start with rethinking my static page!

    I also took a look at your chess site.  I have just recently started playing again – on my laptop – so I am also interested in reading a few of those articles.

    Overall, I just wanted to say thank you for your helpful and informative article. Your insights and advice have given me a lot to think about as I continue to work on my own website, and I look forward to checking out more of your content in the future!

    All the best, Julia

    Reply

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