George Lindemann Jr on Using the Net for Self Publishers
The first question many people who are new to self-publishing ask is whether a website or a blog is the best choice. Initially this seems an intuitive question but in actuality the lines are becoming more and more blurred between blogs and standard websites.
Websites of yesteryear were largely static in nature and required knowledge of HTML, FTP and other acronyms to operate. Nowadays most websites use a CMS or Content Management System which allows for nearly anyone with a little internet savvy to operate one entirely on their own. Now, where blogs come in is basically in the format of content delivery. Blogs are mainly also built on a CMS as well however the front-end, or "layout" tends to be in a chronological format of newest-to-oldest articles.
So, the answer really is "both". A blog is a website. So, for most people I suggest choosing a popular blog platform such as wordpress. This allows you to use the many themes that people have built and distributed freely and with the right webhost you can get setup in minutes.
Additionally, there are other great ways to write and promote your blog and content such as using major social networking sites such as myspace where you can capitalize on their large user-base in order to gain attention and traction in your area of expertise. For, example you can see George Lindemann Jr here, George Lindemann Jr Here, and finally… wait for it… yes, George Lindemann Jr here as well. What's the purpose of multiple pages or "profiles" you may ask? Well, mainly it's because different social networks have different user bases and creating a home on the different networks can definitely help you establish yourself in different circles of influence.
So, the George Lindemann Jr publishing program lists a number of niche social networking sites where you can find your audience as well as a number of great free blogging platforms and plugins to enhance your blog.