1. Business in a Connected World
Chapter 2b
Web 2.0 and Social Media
Business in a Connected World
Blogging for Business
© McHaney and Sachs 2016

2. Blog Environment Decision Hosting Options
Primary decision for businesses: whether to host their blog(s) internally or to use hosting services.
Hosting Options
Include cloud services or setting up own internal server.
Blog Environment

3. Internal Hosting System Configuration Advantages Disadvantages
Organization needs computing hardware and software in-house.
Advantages
Provides a business with flexibility and freedom.
Ensures organization possesses data and information associated with Web site.
More easily integrated with business Web site.
Allows organization to develop internal expertise with the blog administration.
Disadvantages
For small businesses, upkeep might represent a challenge.
Requires internal technical expertise and software/hardware platform.
Internal Hosting

4. Internal Hosting Software Examples

5. Internal Hosting Software Examples (Continued)

6. External Hosting Relies on Cloud Services Cost Considerations
Uses third-party Web sites.
Cost Considerations
Good for startup businesses attempting to control initial costs.
Technology Considerations
Good for small businesses with limited IT infrastructure.
Individual Bloggers
They often take this approach.
External Hosting

7. External Hosting (Continued)
Software
Upgrades done by vendor or with minimal effort.
Con: Business data resides on another organization’s hosting platform
Customer Support
Support lines and customer service usually available.
SEO
Blog may be automatically submitted to search engines.
Costs
Hosted blogs can be placed on free Web sites or on sites that cost a fee.
External Hosting (Continued)

8. External Hosting Software Examples

9. External Hosting Software Examples (Continued)

10. External Hosting Software Examples (Continued)

11. A general hosting company can offer instant blogging installations for a low cost
These companies often bundle domain name registration into a package together with a set of blog development tools and support for a set yearly fee.
Other Hosting Options
General Hosting Solutions

12. Other Hosting Solution Examples

13. Professional Blogging with WordPress
Businesses
WordPress is blog platform of choice for many businesses.
History
First released in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg. Grown from simple Web site enhancement code to powerful content management system.
Usage
Downloaded over 100 million times. Believed to power 25% of top 1 million Web sites worldwide.
Content Management
WordPress most popular content management system on the Web.
Professional Blogging with WordPress

14. Leading Blog Software: WordPress
WordPress is True Web 2.0
Free, open source platform based on PHP and MySQL.
Large community develops enhancements, fixes bugs, and contributes ideas for new releases.
Offers easy-to-use themes and templates that provide solutions for less technical users and framework for technical users to create custom ones.
Unique template system and plug-in architecture.
Leading Blog Software: WordPress

15. WordPress Open Source Philosophy

16. WordPress Advantages and Features

17. WordPress Advantages and Features (Continued)

18. Blogs are a class of applications among the first to become associated with transition from static Web pages to social media and Web 2.0.
Blogs have transitioned from online journals and bulletin board systems to interactive venues for facilitating communication and messages.
Businesses use these powerful tools to create a community of customers, potential clients, and employees.
Blogging is a standard practice in nearly all Fortune 500 firms as well as in many small and medium sized businesses.
Summary

19. Contact: Roger McHaney, Kansas State University, mchaney@ksu.edu