Blogs

[catfish]

Hello,
I have just finished a website for a client and now she asked me about adding a blog to it. I don't understand what the difference is. Why would someone want to add a blog to the website they already have. The client is a professional that puts on workshops and training for people or professionals so the site explains her professional business. But why would she want an blog now too?

[LeeU]

A blog would be a great asset to her site, if used correctly. She can use it to keep people updated on upcoming events, items in the news, and other business-related things. If posted to on a regular basis, it can greatly enhance the overall Web site.

[catfish]

Thanks for the reply, so an additional blog; would it be a separate website altogether with an external link, so separate hosting account, domain name etc. built with CMS for her to update it regularly on her own?

She has also asked about a subscription newsletter, (I know this should be a different post probably but), I need to ask also, are these newsletters built in html? Then how does the subscription work? I'm thinking from what I have read so far that it is a software program that has to be paid for and this sets up a mailing list? Can you explain this to me at all? and/or recomend one if it is.

Thankyou

[LeeU]

Thanks for the reply, so an additional blog; would it be a separate website altogether with an external link, so separate hosting account, domain name etc. built with CMS for her to update it regularly on her own?
No, not necessarily. It can be a part of the existing site. You don't need an additional domain, hosting acct. etc. That would kind of defeat the purpose. With it combined with the current set-up, people would go to her site, they can see what she has to offer, read her blog, and check out the rest of the site.

She has also asked about a subscription newsletter, (I know this should be a different post probably but), I need to ask also, are these newsletters built in html? Then how does the subscription work? I'm thinking from what I have read so far that it is a software program that has to be paid for and this sets up a mailing list? Can you explain this to me at all? and/or recomend one if it is.
Not quite that complicated. It doesn't need to be HTML but it can be. There are many different programs. You might try Dada Mail (http://mojo.skazat.com/). I have used it and it works great. It is written in Perl. You could also use PHPlist (http://www.tincan.co.uk/). It usually included with most hosting packages. Both are free.

[catfish]

Hello again,

I have looked briefly into the blog and newsletter thing. downloading both Wordpress for the blog and PHPlist but upon looked deeper into installing Wordpress it looks like I need to set up a database on the server. So I went into the clients CPanel and I see she has no privleges for databases. So before going further with the newsletter subscription service, will it too need to have a data base?

[LeeU]

You don't need to use WordPress. There are others that don't need a database. You could try Blosxom (http://www.webreference.com/reviews/blosxom/). I use it and it uses flat text files and works just fine. You could also check out CMS that don use a database.

I don't know about PHPlist but Dada Mail works with or with a database.

[catfish]

Hello again,
Well, I am doing well. I have gotten the host site to enable the database function for the client, Installed Wordpress and PHPlist, actually both just easily through Fantastico/CPanel. Got going on the Blog for her, linked just as an additional page in the navigation, although it has a slightly different look. I also managed the PHP list not too bad (time consuming though s
fo a newbie) testing it out and getting my e-mails confirming my subscription etc. But now I have to ask and hope it is not too stupid of a question. The client is away so I can't ask her if her mailbox has filled up with my 50 practice subscriptions.

Question;
1. what is SUPPOSED to happen now! What I mean the Client is the Admin/Owner, is she going to get an e-mail everytime someone subscribes or unsubscribes?

2. When the monthly newsletter is ready to send out, will the Admin have to fisically select all the e-mail subscriptions (as a group of course), attach the newsletter and send? I't not me so I don't know what she has gotten in her mail to this point

I know, I know I told you I was a newbie didn't I. Don't know how I've come this far!

3. Being the designer for the client. I will be getting the actual newsletters ready to get out after she writes them. What is the best way to do this. Will I do them as a webpage, so the subscriber gets the email and in the body clicks on a link? Do I do it as a pdf? and send as an attachment? I can't remember the last Killersites newsletter I got and what happened.

Thanks