The 8 most common types of websites and what they contain
A website can be whatever you want it to be... However, chances are you want it to be one of the most popular types of websites already in existence. Looking at the internet as a whole, most sites fall into one of these neat, clearly defined categories, each with its own set of guidelines and recommended features—making it easier to hit the target when trying to design your own site to fit the profile.
With the exception of social media sites, which are less common to start from scratch, we present the 9 most common website types and purposes below:
- E-Commerce Website
- Business Website
- Blogs/news
- Portfolio
- Service provider (streaming, online tools, etc.)
- Landing page
- Forum
- Event
We explain what each category is for and what features to include, as well as some design advice and an example to get you started.
- E-Commerce Website
Purpose
To sell products online using a conventional shopping method.
Features- High-quality image production gallery
- Checkout/transaction capabilities (with SSL certificate)
- Account customization options (wishlists, saved orders, profile pages, etc.)
- Product Pages
Because ecommerce sites are simply digital versions of physical stores, they share the same goals and functions. You want your products to be as appealing as possible, but first you must ensure that you have the technical capability to accept credit card transactions (or whatever payment methods you prefer, such as PayPal or crypto).
Retailers who sell a wide range of products will need to invest more in their websites because each product should have its own page. Product pages allow you to tempt people to buy your product by including appealing descriptions, photos, or even videos.
Furthermore, the more products you can provide, the more difficult nav becomes. You must not only find a design that best displays your products, but it is also suggested that you include filtration or category tags to help visitors find what they are looking for.
Please remember that online shoppers are more suspicious than in-person shoppers because they cannot inspect the product personally. That's why visuals are so essential: you want to use high-quality pictures and videos that show the product from various angles to give the cart pusher a better understanding of what they're getting.
This is extremely crucial when going to sell clothing because the customer cannot try on the items. To make amends, include a detailed sizing chart with measurements to provide your customers with a more accurate understanding of how the clothes will fit.
2.Business
Purpose
To sell products online using a conventional shopping method.
Features
- High-quality image production gallery
- Checkout/transaction capabilities (with SSL certificate)
- Account customization options (wishlists, saved orders, profile pages, etc.)
- Product Pages
Because ecommerce sites are simply digital versions of physical stores, they share the same goals and functions. You want your products to be as appealing as possible, but first you must ensure that you have the technical capability to accept credit card transactions (or whatever payment methods you prefer, such as PayPal or crypto).
Retailers who sell a wide range of products will need to invest more in their websites because each product should have its own page. Product pages allow you to tempt people to buy your product by including appealing descriptions, photos, or even videos.
Furthermore, the more products you can provide, the more difficult nav becomes. You must not only find a design that best displays your products, but it is also suggested that you include filtration or category tags to help visitors find what they are looking for.
Please remember that online shoppers are more suspicious than in-person shoppers because they cannot inspect the product personally. That's why visuals are so essential: you want to use high-quality pictures and videos that show the product from various angles to give the cart pusher a better understanding of what they're getting.
This is extremely crucial when going to sell clothing because the customer cannot try on the items. To make amends, include a detailed sizing chart with measurements to provide your customers with a more accurate understanding of how the clothes will fit.
2.Business
Purpose
To educate prospective clients and customers about your company and persuade them to work with you
Features
- Service Explanation
- Company Profile (typically the About page)
- Fundamentals of business (address, phone number, email, etc.)
- Statement of purpose
- Address issues and provide a value statement
- A call to action for collaboration
The fact is that every business in the twenty-first century should have a website. It's becoming common practise for people to visit a company's website as their first step in learning about them. A business website allows businesses that offer new or unique services to explain what they do; for traditional businesses, it allows them to alleviate customer concerns and prove that the company is valid.
Business websites, in specific, usually prioritise a call-to-action (CTA), such as a direct message widget, in which visitors can schedule a meeting or phone call, and at the very least have their questions answered by an actual human rather than a bot. CTAs for direct messaging work well on business websites because they accelerate the process of converting window shoppers into clients/customers and elicit visitor actions when their enthusiasm is at its peak.
A good business website provides all of the necessary information about a company, including not just basics like that of an address or contact details, but also extras like short staff bios or a vision and mission. The primary objective is to get people familiarise with your company and, as an outcome, excited to work with you.
Business websites should always adhere to the company's branding style; for example, if you're a tech company catering to young people, the style may include futuristic visuals and informal language, whereas if you're a law firm catering to established clients, the style may include traditional visuals and professional language.
What matters is that you answer any questions your visitors may have. For starters, having a physical address and contact information affirms that your company exists.
However, your prospective clients and customers will have specific questions, such as where you stand on problems such as using sustainable raw materials or where your products are produced. Rather than letting people draw conclusions, use your online business website to address these issues directly.
- Service Explanation
- Company Profile (typically the About page)
- Fundamentals of business (address, phone number, email, etc.)
- Statement of purpose
- Address issues and provide a value statement
- A call to action for collaboration
The fact is that every business in the twenty-first century should have a website. It's becoming common practise for people to visit a company's website as their first step in learning about them. A business website allows businesses that offer new or unique services to explain what they do; for traditional businesses, it allows them to alleviate customer concerns and prove that the company is valid.
Business websites, in specific, usually prioritise a call-to-action (CTA), such as a direct message widget, in which visitors can schedule a meeting or phone call, and at the very least have their questions answered by an actual human rather than a bot. CTAs for direct messaging work well on business websites because they accelerate the process of converting window shoppers into clients/customers and elicit visitor actions when their enthusiasm is at its peak.
A good business website provides all of the necessary information about a company, including not just basics like that of an address or contact details, but also extras like short staff bios or a vision and mission. The primary objective is to get people familiarise with your company and, as an outcome, excited to work with you.
Business websites should always adhere to the company's branding style; for example, if you're a tech company catering to young people, the style may include futuristic visuals and informal language, whereas if you're a law firm catering to established clients, the style may include traditional visuals and professional language.
What matters is that you answer any questions your visitors may have. For starters, having a physical address and contact information affirms that your company exists.
However, your prospective clients and customers will have specific questions, such as where you stand on problems such as using sustainable raw materials or where your products are produced. Rather than letting people draw conclusions, use your online business website to address these issues directly.
3.News/Blog
Purpose
Educating or informing visitors about current affairs or specialised knowledge.
Features- Article Catalogs
- dedicated pages for each article
- categorization or tag for easy browsing
- payment gateways and account capabilities, if applicable
Traditional print media such as newspapers and magazines are being rapidly replaced by blogs and news websites. According to Pew Research, the majority of people (86 percent of American adults) prefer to get their news online, and the fact that most sites are free doesn't hurt either.
Because each blog/news site has a large number of articles available at the same time, browsing and navigation are top priorities. Most websites use a tag or categorization feature that allows visitors to narrow down the types of articles they see, similar to how newspaper sections such as "Sports" or "Entertainment" allow visitors to narrow down the types of articles they see.
In addition, blogs are frequently integrated into other websites, particularly business websites. This isn't just about providing a service to visitors; blogs and text-based articles are ideal for incorporating search keywords and appearing in more search queries. Just be wary of creating clickbait, which can just as easily turn off visitors as it can attract them.
Although blogs and news sites are text-based, visuals, particularly on the home page, are important in enticing readers to click on an article. For variety and to break up long blocks of text, it is best to include a few images per article.
- Article Catalogs
- dedicated pages for each article
- categorization or tag for easy browsing
- payment gateways and account capabilities, if applicable
Traditional print media such as newspapers and magazines are being rapidly replaced by blogs and news websites. According to Pew Research, the majority of people (86 percent of American adults) prefer to get their news online, and the fact that most sites are free doesn't hurt either.
Because each blog/news site has a large number of articles available at the same time, browsing and navigation are top priorities. Most websites use a tag or categorization feature that allows visitors to narrow down the types of articles they see, similar to how newspaper sections such as "Sports" or "Entertainment" allow visitors to narrow down the types of articles they see.
In addition, blogs are frequently integrated into other websites, particularly business websites. This isn't just about providing a service to visitors; blogs and text-based articles are ideal for incorporating search keywords and appearing in more search queries. Just be wary of creating clickbait, which can just as easily turn off visitors as it can attract them.
Although blogs and news sites are text-based, visuals, particularly on the home page, are important in enticing readers to click on an article. For variety and to break up long blocks of text, it is best to include a few images per article.
4.Portfolio Website
Purpose
To attract more clients by displaying work samples for specific professionals.
Features- Images with high quality gallery and work samples
- Information about the professional or agency
- Explanation of services
- Call-to-action button
Portfolio sites are similar to business websites, but they include work samples, making them ideal for visual-based businesses like design firms or photographers. They serve the same purpose as business websites in terms of informing visitors and attracting new business, but they usually include real-life examples of work so prospective clients know what to expect.
Portfolio sites, in general, are more concerned with displaying the end results than with describing their services. Work sample galleries are common, and some even include various categories or tags to make browsing easier.
Just make sure to include the necessary information, such as your contact information and a brief bio. Visitors to business websites, for example, want to know that they are dealing with a legitimate company rather than a scam.
Including a strong call-to-action, such as a direct message widget, speeds up the collaborative process. As a result, your CTA should be prominently displayed throughout the site.
- Images with high quality gallery and work samples
- Information about the professional or agency
- Explanation of services
- Call-to-action button
Portfolio sites are similar to business websites, but they include work samples, making them ideal for visual-based businesses like design firms or photographers. They serve the same purpose as business websites in terms of informing visitors and attracting new business, but they usually include real-life examples of work so prospective clients know what to expect.
Portfolio sites, in general, are more concerned with displaying the end results than with describing their services. Work sample galleries are common, and some even include various categories or tags to make browsing easier.
Just make sure to include the necessary information, such as your contact information and a brief bio. Visitors to business websites, for example, want to know that they are dealing with a legitimate company rather than a scam.
Including a strong call-to-action, such as a direct message widget, speeds up the collaborative process. As a result, your CTA should be prominently displayed throughout the site.
5.Service Provider
Purpose
To offer a comprehensive online service, such as streaming or online tools like search engines, spell checkers, photo editors, or translators.
Sometimes the website is the business. Sites such as Netflix, DuckDuckGo, and Google Translate are typically one-stop shops for what their customers are looking for, whether it's entertainment or a specific service such as a search engine or online tool.
Typically, service-providing websites are built around their service, with access prominently displayed on the home page. Consider the Google homepage with the search bar in the centre, or the Grammarly spell-checker with the text box prominently displayed. There is no doubt about where to begin.
A direct CTA takes centre stage in the case of paid subscription services such as Netflix. Nonmembers, for example, see a bar for entering their email address and a brief sales pitch when they visit Netflix. The concept is the same: the page layout tells the visitor exactly what the next step is.
Service-providing sites, like blogs, can be linked to from other sites. This is a clever marketing strategy for both attracting new customers and making existing ones more convenient. If that's your goal, try to create an online tool that is relevant to your industry. If a construction company offered a currency conversion tool, they would attract the wrong kind of visitors.
Sometimes the website is the business. Sites such as Netflix, DuckDuckGo, and Google Translate are typically one-stop shops for what their customers are looking for, whether it's entertainment or a specific service such as a search engine or online tool.
Typically, service-providing websites are built around their service, with access prominently displayed on the home page. Consider the Google homepage with the search bar in the centre, or the Grammarly spell-checker with the text box prominently displayed. There is no doubt about where to begin.
A direct CTA takes centre stage in the case of paid subscription services such as Netflix. Nonmembers, for example, see a bar for entering their email address and a brief sales pitch when they visit Netflix. The concept is the same: the page layout tells the visitor exactly what the next step is.
Service-providing sites, like blogs, can be linked to from other sites. This is a clever marketing strategy for both attracting new customers and making existing ones more convenient. If that's your goal, try to create an online tool that is relevant to your industry. If a construction company offered a currency conversion tool, they would attract the wrong kind of visitors.
6.Landing Page
Purpose
Customers are typically directed to a single, specific action as part of a larger marketing campaign.
Single-page websites that serve a single purpose are known as landing pages. The most common application is to collect email addresses, such as when signing up for a newsletter, but they can also be customised for other purposes, such as downloading an app or redirecting visitors to a different website.
A good landing page should focus all of the visitor's attention on a single CTA, such as an email signup, which should be displayed prominently and prominently. Include lead-in text that either explains the value of the CTA or addresses user concerns (for example, "we won't share your email").
Typically, landing pages are used in conjunction with larger marketing campaigns. Assume you want to collect emails for an online raffle; instead of adding a new page to your current website, you can create a completely separate one-page website for this purpose. As a result, you can sponsor ads on other websites that direct users to the corresponding landing page, as well as ads on your own website that direct users to the corresponding landing page. When the promotion is over, unlike if it was part of your existing website, you can easily deactivate the landing page.
Another common use for landing pages is as a placeholder while a full website is being built.This is a best practise for businesses that want to generate interest before launching—in this scenario, these landing pages typically request email addresses so that they can send a notification when the final site is complete.
This not only gives you an advantage when you launch, but it also allows you to estimate how many visitors you can expect, allowing you to select the appropriate hosting or bandwidth.
Single-page websites that serve a single purpose are known as landing pages. The most common application is to collect email addresses, such as when signing up for a newsletter, but they can also be customised for other purposes, such as downloading an app or redirecting visitors to a different website.
A good landing page should focus all of the visitor's attention on a single CTA, such as an email signup, which should be displayed prominently and prominently. Include lead-in text that either explains the value of the CTA or addresses user concerns (for example, "we won't share your email").
Typically, landing pages are used in conjunction with larger marketing campaigns. Assume you want to collect emails for an online raffle; instead of adding a new page to your current website, you can create a completely separate one-page website for this purpose. As a result, you can sponsor ads on other websites that direct users to the corresponding landing page, as well as ads on your own website that direct users to the corresponding landing page. When the promotion is over, unlike if it was part of your existing website, you can easily deactivate the landing page.
Another common use for landing pages is as a placeholder while a full website is being built.This is a best practise for businesses that want to generate interest before launching—in this scenario, these landing pages typically request email addresses so that they can send a notification when the final site is complete.
This not only gives you an advantage when you launch, but it also allows you to estimate how many visitors you can expect, allowing you to select the appropriate hosting or bandwidth.
7.Forum
Purpose
Allowing users to discuss and share information and links amongst themselves, usually on specific topics.
Online forums, like social media websites, do not necessarily provide content, but rather a space for users to share their own. Online forums, like the historical forums from which they derive their name, are a place for strangers to meet and discuss their common interests, as well as share useful content such as links.
Your first goal when creating a forum should be to create an organised navigation system for hosting and finding various discussion boards. Some forums host their own discussion boards, while others allow users to create their own. In any case, you should make it as easy for users to find what they're looking for as possible.
Your next objective will be to moderate the discussions. Don't worry, but not everyone you meet on the internet is pleasant! Moderators review forum comments and remove malicious or illegal posts in order to create a safe environment for everyone else to participate in their discussion. Moderators will sometimes work for free, but in some cases, you may need to hire a professional.
Forums like Craigslist can also be used for more practical purposes, such as posting job ads, finding housing, or selling used items. Forums like this can attract niche audiences, but they usually necessitate more moderation to maintain the site's legitimacy and protect users from scams.
Online forums, like social media websites, do not necessarily provide content, but rather a space for users to share their own. Online forums, like the historical forums from which they derive their name, are a place for strangers to meet and discuss their common interests, as well as share useful content such as links.
Your first goal when creating a forum should be to create an organised navigation system for hosting and finding various discussion boards. Some forums host their own discussion boards, while others allow users to create their own. In any case, you should make it as easy for users to find what they're looking for as possible.
Your next objective will be to moderate the discussions. Don't worry, but not everyone you meet on the internet is pleasant! Moderators review forum comments and remove malicious or illegal posts in order to create a safe environment for everyone else to participate in their discussion. Moderators will sometimes work for free, but in some cases, you may need to hire a professional.
Forums like Craigslist can also be used for more practical purposes, such as posting job ads, finding housing, or selling used items. Forums like this can attract niche audiences, but they usually necessitate more moderation to maintain the site's legitimacy and protect users from scams.
8.Event
Purpose
To organise events and gather information for attendees
Features- registration functionality
- current guest lists,
- event details, and a schedule,
- useful information such as driving directions and what to bring
Finally, it's becoming more common for one-time events to create websites to assist all attendees. These websites are frequently used by weddings, conventions, or general social gatherings to share important information such as dates, addresses, schedules, and general rules.
These websites can save you a lot of time by eliminating the need to explain the same things to each new attendee. Simply share the site's link, and the visitor will have everything they need to know, even if they forget and need to look it up later.
When hosting a personal event, such as a wedding, you don't need to spend a lot of money on design or hosting, but sponsored events tend to use more elaborate websites, including those with transactional capabilities to sell tickets online.
Ensure that you provide all of the information that attendees may require, such as schedules, rules of conduct, driving directions, housing considerations, dress codes, prohibitions, or links to nearby facilities such as restaurants or recreational facilities.
- registration functionality
- current guest lists,
- event details, and a schedule,
- useful information such as driving directions and what to bring
Finally, it's becoming more common for one-time events to create websites to assist all attendees. These websites are frequently used by weddings, conventions, or general social gatherings to share important information such as dates, addresses, schedules, and general rules.
These websites can save you a lot of time by eliminating the need to explain the same things to each new attendee. Simply share the site's link, and the visitor will have everything they need to know, even if they forget and need to look it up later.
When hosting a personal event, such as a wedding, you don't need to spend a lot of money on design or hosting, but sponsored events tend to use more elaborate websites, including those with transactional capabilities to sell tickets online.
Ensure that you provide all of the information that attendees may require, such as schedules, rules of conduct, driving directions, housing considerations, dress codes, prohibitions, or links to nearby facilities such as restaurants or recreational facilities.
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