Advantages And Disadvantages of Blog

A blog is an online service like a journal that contains information about various niches. It is a website published on the world wide web. These can be owned by individuals, various groups, or organizations. These are generally written informally with a conversational style. Content posted on a blog is called a post that is accessible to users on the internet.

The concept of a was coined for the first time in 1997. On 17^th December 1997, Jorn Barger termed it a "weblog," and later, Peter Merholz introduced the term "Blog". "Blog" was the short form of the original "weblog" that Peter Merholz used in his blog site Peterme.com with no intention to standardize it. After that, this term became handy for references. The term started being in use as a noun and a verb.

Earlier updating posts on the blog required coding skills, and only people with technical backgrounds used this facility. With improvements in software tools now, everyone can utilize the facility.

Types Of Blogs

Blogs include individuals, groups, businesses, organizations (profit and non-profit), or governments. Based on the writing, style, and content, blogs are of different types -

1. Personal Blogs: This blog is the same as others, but the content and writing style is similar to diary writing. Individuals write this. This type of blog is not very popular among readers. There have been very few people who have become popular with personal blogs.
2. Collaborative Blogs: This type of blog is based on themes like fashion, health, food, technology, or general demand These are produced in collaboration among different people. Various authors work together on a single blog. This helps save time and makes efficient use of resources. This is a strategy used by popular blogs to supply large demand of users. This helps in attracting more audiences.
3. Business Blogs: Blogs that are prepared for internal members of a business and are not available for outsiders are termed corporate blogs. Blogs are also for published business enthusiasts, both categories come under business blogs.
4. Organizational Blogs: Not-for-profit organizations or others prepare many types of blogs. Mostly these are informative and for welfare. These blogs are available to the public.
5. Dedicated or Aggregated Blogs: These blogs are written on particular topics, products, or services. This caters reader's needs of content by providing a combined view. These protect user's type and also save money. This is one of the most popular types, and viewers prefer reading these blogs.
6. Based on Genre: These blogs are based on subjects such as fashion, technology, education, film, books, etc. These blogs are concerned with subjects with overall details. This type of blog is the most popular in modern times. There are various types of blogs based on the genre, such as mom's blog, which features information related to home and family.
7. Based On the Type of Media: Some blogs include audio or video that provides information. Blogs involving links are called linklog, photoblogs that comprise photos providing information. Some blogs are not based on written format. Instead, these are full videos that are called vlogs.
8. Based On Devices: Many a time, blogs of different devices are used as legal documents. Some blogs are categorized based on the use of the device. Blogs written by a mobile device can are called moblog. Video recording devices are used for blogging too.

Advantages of Blog

Blogs are a big source of information used by the majority for sharing and receiving information. The following are various advantages of the blog:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

This feature assures the presence of good content on blogs. As good content becomes a necessity to be recognized.

2. Opportunities

Anyone who aims to generate revenue can easily start by producing good content and attracting an audience. This becomes a constant stream of monetary benefit. This idea has helped develop business and stands out as a good opportunity for people.

3. Personal Development

There is a big possibility of personal development. By writing posts, one can get feedback from a large number of people from all around the world. This feedback is very useful for a person's self-development and career growth.

4. Personal Influence and User Analysis

Large companies spend a huge amount on consumer feedback, whereas here, we get that for free. By working on posts for blogs, if we create good content, a large number of visitors get attracted. This increases personal influence. Also, based on feedback or comments, one can analyze the type of visitors, their tastes, and personality. This helps in sorting content for posts.

5. Freedom

Blogs are based on personal commitment. One can work on posts on their will and availability. There is no time or work obligation. A person can work from anywhere and at any time. Also, there are no deadlines to meet, and no boss is there to order around.

6. Flexibility

This work does not require any dress code for work. This also facilitates working part-time and an ongoing full-time job. There is no boss or deadline. One can do this based on the availability of time. Also, the time allotment for working for blogs can be of an individual's choice.

7. Helpfulness

There are multiple problems that the blog addresses and are related to people. For any information, blogs today are the most efficient and easy way. This is also the reason behind the popularity of this industry.

Disadvantages of Blog

Blogs have many advantages that outweigh the disadvantages, but an idea of the same is very important. Followings are some of the disadvantages of the blog:

1. Time Management

The process of blog creation requires proper planning and thoughtfulness. This takes time. Proper planning about what to be included in the content, niche, and format to make it appreciable for large visitors. This process becomes more time-consuming for new bloggers as they lack experience, knowledge about the domain, and expertise. Most of the time, blogger spend their free hours working on their blog.

2. Disappointment

From the start to gaining significant recognition and establishing momentum in blogging, the process is long, tiring, and time-taking. Results are not so visible in the short run, but they do in the long run. It is more like demanding consistency with no guarantee of success. There is a very high chance of the person feeling like they are the only ones chasing their dreams and feeling alone. There are high chances of getting frustrated, discouraged, and developing a sense of uncertainty about success.

3. Inconsistency and Lack of Self-Discipline

There is always a problem of inconsistencies in posts which leads to less traffic on the website of the blog. Also, there is no boss or deadline in working on a blog which brings to the importance of self-discipline. Every deadline must be met to maintain consistency, and this huge responsibility lies on my shoulders.

4. Technical Problems

People using WordPress faces problem, which usually include the setup time and process. Initially, people are unfamiliar with blog settings, features, and services. Also, people are good with writeups and content but find the technicalities hard to handle.

5. Marketing

People have limited connections. Even if they share it on social media sites, it does not contribute significantly to driving enough traffic. Even if the content is good, the validation depends on how many visitors are interested in visiting again for new content. This is one of the most important aspects of the blog's growth.

6. Social Validations

People don't feel confident about being a blogger as this does not bring affirmation from people of the social groups around them. As an option for a full-time career, this may bring negative comments from immediate family and friends. This is also a very important aspect in determining the probability of success in the career.

7. No Recipe

This is the biggest disadvantage of blogs, even if there are many success stories of people who are bloggers. There is, to date, no set-in-stone pathway described for being successful. No hierarchical foundation or correct method is associated with which people can aim and succeed.