Before pointing out the differences, let's begin by mentioning the three things that blogs and websites have in common: 1) Both are ways to publish information and other data online, 2) Both can be started and kept by any individual who is inclined to do so, and 3) Both have URLs that anyone with an Internet connection can access. However, the similarities end there.

The main difference between the two is that blogs tend to be a lot more dynamic than websites. Blogs are updated on a regular basis with posts or entries that usually contain date/time stamps. Websites, on the other hand, are designed to be static. So, there is no need to update regularly and/or to add the date/time of update. Also, websites are updated with pages rather than posts or entries.

Even with WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get) tools, some form of formatting knowledge is still required for designing and updating websites.

Various blog hosts that make online publishing easy allow for blogs to be updated with a lot less fuss. If you already have a blog set up, you just need to write an entry (and/or post an image), click on a button that says something like 'publish this entry,' and your blog will already be updated. Knowledge of HTML and FTP is optional.

Blogs are a potential gold mine of insights for readers, provided by business leaders, market leaders, innovators, philosophers, marketers, political commentators, and many other opinion makers who never before have enjoyed such easy access to a simple and unmoderated public forum in which to share their opinions, ideas and insights.

These leaders have taken to using the Internet to publish their thoughts for the same reason they make public speaking appearances; to build credibility for themselves and for their company, and to become recognized as a resource, usually with the expectation that it will lead to sales. Blogging presents them with an easy, non-time consuming, and inexpensive way to quickly reach thousands of interested parties all around the world.