Over the last year, a lot of people found themselves asking the question, "What is a blog?" In fact, "blog" was the most
searched for web definition in Merriam-Webster's online dictionary that year because of all the interest this new Internet
phenomenon was, and still is, attracting.
But what, exactly, IS a "blog," and why has it taken the Internet by storm?
A "blog" (derived from the term "web log") can be a stand-alone web site or form part of a larger web site. It's made up of
short, frequently updated posts written by the web site owner, or another appointed person. This person is known as a
"blogger."
Blogging started as a way to give regular people the opportunity to publish, or "post," their thoughts and views online. It
also enabled blog owners to have "conversations" with visitors to their blog by allowing those visitors to post their own
"comments" or views on the topic of discussion.
Now blogging is HUGE! According to blog search engine Technorati, there are nearly seven million blogs.
That's up from just 100,000 two years ago! And new ones are appearing all the time -- at a rate of over 20,000 a day
according to Technorati.
And a search for the word "blog" in the Google search engine in February 2005 generated a massive 173,000,000 results!
The growing popularity of blogging means that everyone from individuals to huge corporations have created blogs and joined
the "blogosphere." Google has one at blogspacecom, and Microsoft President Bill Gates has software readily available to each
of his employees. In fact, he encourages blogging -- on work time no less.
What's particularly interesting to Internet business owners is the way in which blogs are fast developing into a very useful
home business tool. If you add a "blog" to your web site, you could enjoy benefits such as...
* More traffic to your web site
* More repeat traffic to your web site
* Better customer relations
* More sales
... And all for minimal -- often zero -- financial outlay!
Larry Potter is a recognized authority on the subject of starting a home business with little or no cash.
His website provides a wealth of informative articles and free resources on everything you'll ever need to know about a
service home business. More tips can be found here: http://urlcutter.com/BlogMagic
