The digital world is filled with websites for personal, professional, and corporate use. A website is essential for establishing your digital presence. Most consumers judge your brand’s credibility by its website. You can make a website for your blog, portfolio, or a new venture with premade templates or hire a professional web design service. But before designing a website, you have to identify the type of website you need. Knowing the differences between different types of websites can help you identify the one you need for your project.
This article has discussed some of the most popular types of websites you can find on the internet. You’ll find out what these websites are and who can use them. So, continue reading if you want to build a website for your business or personal use.
Blog Website
Did you know that 92% of content marketers use blogging as their top marketing strategy? A blog website provides a platform to share written and visual content about your project to educate, inform, and entertain your audience. Some popular types of blogs include food blogs, travel blogs, DIY blogs, and lifestyle blogs. You can monetize a blog website by working with advertisers or using affiliate links within your content.
Initially, blogging websites emerged as a form of digital diaries for individuals. But soon, businesses and brands started using blogs for marketing, and now it has evolved as their top inbound marketing priority. Blogs help companies acquire leads through organic traffic that can lead to revenue generation. Plus, blogging plays a vital role in consumers’ buying process, especially in the early stages of buying.
Personal Website
Personal websites are just that – personal. You can have a personal website for literally anything you can think of. They are for individuals to establish their online presence without worrying about technical things like SEO and lead generation. The purpose of a personal website is to share your personal feelings, thoughts, and insights with your audience.
Most people use personal sites as digital platforms to connect with their families and friends. They share vlogs, photos, and videos of their daily lives. Sometimes, they may share tips and tricks, DIY projects, and other fun information about their activities.
Portfolio Website
Think of a portfolio website as a digital resume. It may sound like a personal website, but its primary purpose is to win clients. Many graphic designers, animators, and writers use portfolio websites to display their work in an organized manner. So, when a potential employer or client asks for a sample, you can simply direct them to your portfolio website. It helps clients see a detailed visual representation of your skills and judge your level of expertise.
Portfolio sites serve as a canvas to highlight your specific skill set and the services you offer. You can also include your professional accomplishments on a portfolio site to make it stand out even more. They also have an About section with details about your life, like where you live, where you studied, what your qualifications are, etc. Another important section in portfolio websites is the Contact section. Here, contact details are given for potential clients to get in touch with you.
eCommerce Website
Nearly every online store uses an eCommerce website to sell products online. You may have used many eCommerce sites to buy a variety of products, from groceries to clothing items and smartphones to household accessories. In other words, any website that includes a shopping cart and asks for your credit card info to make a purchase is considered an eCommerce website.
eCommerce websites include menu bars, category pages, product pages, contact details, and business descriptions. All these features are customizable, and you can play around to create an online store that suits your needs.
Some eCommerce websites also incorporate a dropshipping model, so you can sell third-party distributors’ products and not worry about maintaining an inventory. But the most crucial part of an eCommerce website is a built-in secure checkout to protect customer info from hackers and cybercriminals.
Business Website
A business website establishes your company/brand/project’s online presence. This is a digital space introducing your business to the world by highlighting who you are and what you do through text and visuals. You must use the same logos, color palette, fonts, and voice to keep your brand language cohesive on all forums.
Business websites are all about visuals. You can capture your audience using creative imagery, like photos, colors, and logos. Plus, an SEO-optimized business website is the need of the hour. Your clients will consider your business more credible if they can find your website with a single Google search. Having no website makes your business seem sketchy and unprofessional.
Entertainment Website
As the name suggests, an entertainment website contains content for the purpose of entertainment. Think of online magazines with news about celebrities, movies, TV shows, comics, and anything else that people may find entertaining. These websites also have quizzes and games to keep people engaged.
Typically, these websites don’t sell a product or service to earn money. They generate revenues through affiliate links or ads running on their pages. So, if you want to create an entertainment website, you have plenty of options. You can make funny videos, write stories, draw comics, or create quizzes.
Entertainment websites need to be ultra-dynamic and up-to-date. If you want to create one to make money, you should have a continuous supply of content. You can cover politics, weather, sports, or anything else you think may entertain your audience. Also, an entertainment website must be easy to navigate, or users will lose interest.
Nonprofit Website
A nonprofit website is relatively similar to a business website but for an NGO or a nonprofit organization. Its primary purpose is to inform visitors about your organization’s core values and goals. You can also include your mission statement, information about past events, and a donations page. All these details help donators learn more about your organization and make a contribution to your cause.
Popular nonprofit websites are related to animal rescue centers, churches, and schools. Since most nonprofit websites are created to get donations, you should make it easier for users to contribute. For instance, you can use a bold and bright Donate Now button at the top of every page.
Educational Website
Any website that acts solely as a resource of information and education is educational. Their primary purpose is to provide educational material to readers. News websites, encyclopedias, and online courses are typical examples of such websites.
An educational website contains long-form content with relevant examples and references. They also implement a search function to help readers find what they’re searching for. These websites are filled with content that helps readers learn something about several subjects.
Since the pandemic hit the world, e-learning has become a norm, and educational websites are thriving. Plus, many schools, colleges, and universities have created personalized websites representing their organization to establish an online presence. They provide information about the quality of education they offer and what values they adhere to.
Crowdfunding Website
Crowdfunding means raising small amounts of money from a large number of people to fund a venture. Crowdfunding websites have become a prominent part of the web economy. They may be small-level sites where individuals make personal charitable appeals for medical care (and other needs) to their friends and families. But they are a go-to resource for small businesses and start-ups to collect money.
These websites require a pitch video or post for your project, a target amount, and a deadline. Then, the people who are interested in your ventures will start contributing until you reach the target amount. A lot of emerging authors also use crowdfunding websites to raise money to publish their books. Similarly, many people pledge ongoing financial support to researchers and other content providers through these websites if they believe in their cause.
Online Forum
Social forums revolve around a shared interest and allow you to create a community around that interest. You can discuss different topics, ask questions, share experiences, and interact with like-minded people. The most famous example of such a community is Reddit, where users discuss various topics and answer each other’s questions.
Some online forums also let site owners earn a little profit by restricting access to the site to members only. You can have a general forum where you can discuss multiple topics, from gluten-free diet to gaming.
Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Type of Website for Yourself
Now that you know about different types of websites, you need to consider your end goals to design a website accordingly. Some people can build their own websites, but others need help, and Studio Nine Creative is here to make your website stand out. Our web design service can create a website well-suited to your needs and entirely in sync with your brand philosophy.
