XSite Pro Web Sites vs. WordPress Blogs–Which is Better?
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One of my subscribers wrote and asked this good question about web sites vs. blogs. I thought I’d share my answer here.
Carol’s question:
“I understand the difference between a website and a blog. Is XSite Pro for a static website or can it be used as a blog? You said you use Word Press for your blog. If I purchase XSite Pro, can I use it as a blog to post and update frequently?”
My answer:
XSite Pro is not something you can use with or as a blog. A blog is a completely different kind of software platform. XSP creates stand-alone web sites that you can make as small or large as you like.
I have just been looking at XSP V2, and I like it better than a blog in many ways.
The features are very powerful and easy to use (great documentation, with screen captures to walk you through each segment). A lot of what XSP does, you can do with WP plug-ins, I think–if you know how to get them and use them. If you tend to be techy, you might prefer WP blogs. My techy friend likes finding all these cool plug-ins. Me–I prefer to click a few buttons and let the program do it for me.
(By the way, their support is great, too. Fast turnaround, and clear instructions. I tested this recently because I just got a new computer, and needed to know how to get my stuff from old computer to new and integrated with V2.)
The ability to easily update content is one of the main attractions of blogs, and that’s why search engines love blogs. However, if you have a “static” web site where you can easily update content, you have the same search engine advantage.
With Site Pro, it’s extremely easy to update content AND optimize it for search engines at the same time. It’s just like typing something in Word, and then you click the Publish button and it’s on your site. But better–you have complete control over the keywords and page descriptions. With WP (which I like and do use), I have to trust that the search engines are picking up on the right keywords. Or, I use a plug-in (I think it’s called Header2 and there’s also one called SEO pack), but I have to go back and put the keywords in. I posted on both my blog and site last night, and with XSP it was much faster and easier to do. I find that XSP saves a lot of time.
Also, there are ways to add content automatically to your site, through RSS feeds and other ways I’m just learning about, with XSP. You can do that same thing with WP, I understand–again, IF you know the plug-ins and where to go. With XSP, it’s all in one place, there’s a manual to consult, and once you learn it, you get it working on all your sites.
Another thing that I like better about XSP is the control you can have over each page of your site. For instance, if you have an opt-in or squeeze page, you can make one page be that. With a blog, you likely need a whole new url to point to that squeeze page. And it’s another site to maintain, rather than a page over which you have complete control in XSP.
WordPress is good, and I have several WP blogs myself (this is one of them!). It just requires more techy skill and it seems like there are always upgrades and things you have to know. I listen to Cathy Perkins’s Wizard Weekly teleseminars on WP, and don’t know where I’d be without her help. I just learned I have to do all these things to my blogs before I upgrade to the new version so the sites won’t “break.” Yikes! And of course, I should upgrade because otherwise, something terrible might happen (what, I’m not sure. Something about security). So–I like XSP much better for all these reasons.
If you’re not sure about whether XSite Pro is for you, why not attend one of the upcoming webinars? No cost, and you’ll get a feel for the features. You can sign up here. http://www.wordstoprofit.com/xspweb.html Dates are July 2,4, 8, so do it now if you’re interested.
I just upgraded to XSP V2 and so am just exploring the new features, but so far I’m liking what I see very much! I was just reading about adding a “site search” for visitors. Very cool. I have one on my blog, but my site actually has more content, and I want people to be able to search it.
(My full review of XSite Pro is here, if you care to learn more about my perspective, having used V1 for some 4 years now.)
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
[...] First Xsitepro is a website editor that builds static website pages. It’s good for the newbie and experienced website builder, especially with the advent of Xsitepro Version 2.0 and WordPress is a blogging platform. WordPress is more of a dynamic type of website. Actually, it would be smart if you learned how to do both, because you can use static websites and a dynamic websites together to create a flow of traffic to the website that makes you money….whether it be a blog of static website. XSite Pro Web Sites vs. WordPress Blogs–Which is Better? [...]
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
That’s a very good point about using both, which I do. There’s a place for each type of site, and they work together beautifully.
July 4th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Xsitepro looks a good product and amazing value. However what I think makes Wordpress better for new users is the ability to utilize the smart offline desktop blog editor tools like Windows Live writer. This free software makes adding images and videos to any blog a breeze, 100x better then using the old backend dashboard or web browser site editors.
Wordpress with live writer also solves most font and styling problems, even when content is cut and pasted from other applications like word. The text and fonts don’t go crazy on you when you publish.
This means the site always looks professional and doesn’t suffer from the occasional article having the wrong font size or style, often seen on Xsitepro sites that always appear somewhat amateur in appearance compared with wordpress sites.
Overall, with a few free plugins, there’s nothing in the features list of Xsite that can’t be done with Wordpress, only better. However to have this done properly, it would likely be more expensive with Wordpress, which I guess is why many would go with Xsitepro.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Funny, I have found the opposite–my WP sites were more difficult to get font size right, but then, that was before I got some of the great plug-ins that are out there.
Your last sentence holds the key for me: “To have this done properly, it would likely be more expensive with WordPress.” Precisely. I am continually learning about WordPress, and have been cautioned about plug-ins, upgrading when new versions are available, etc.
So far in working with XSP V2, everything I can do with WP plugins I can do in XSP–without having to upload any plug-ins, check whether they’re good ones, etc. etc. I can choose social networking sites and insert the links with a couple of clicks.
I like WP, and I like XSP. I just like the latter a little better! I think it’s the easiest and most cost-effective software out there.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Here is a terrific template for newbies.It can be reconfigured in itself or in an html editor to enable it to be anything you want. Use it to announce,sell or give away products and information.
You can even sell the template itself.
I have used it for several different projects online and it is the quickest way I have found to get started or update my sites.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:49 am
[...] have a follow-up to the (very popular) post on which is better, XSite Pro site or a WordPress blog [...]