Types of Websites – Main Features and Field of Use

The total number of websites is continuously growing with over 1.7 billion web pages available at this moment. Consequently, there are only 2.5 Internet users per website. Yet this is only the general statistics. The actual popularity and traffic of a web page depend on numerous factors, including design, content, SEO, usability, and, most importantly, relevance. Different types of websites are suitable for different target audiences and tasks. What are the types of websites that work best? There is no universal solution. Thus, before ordering website development, you need to have a clear understanding of your requirements. Make sure to think of the functionality you would like to offer and learn more about various websites types.

In this article, we have outlined 12 different types of websites. Some of these website types may overlap, so you don’t necessarily need to stick to one of them. Don’t hesitate to experiment and create multifunctional web pages if you feel this is what you need.

12 Different Types of Websites To Choose From

#1. Portfolio

As the freelance labor market continues to grow, the popularity of portfolio websites also increases. What’s the connection? Let’s clarify this. Portfolio websites showcase the completed projects of a person highlighting their name. This is a great option for freelance writers, designers, or other creative professionals who want to develop their brand. Therefore, if you plan to create a website for your case studies, consider portfolios as one of the most suitable types of websites. They are easy to manage and maintain, so you won’t have any problems with such a web page.

#2. E-commerce

E-commerce websites are probably one of the most popular web resources. Оbsessed with saving free time, modern consumers choose to purchase online. According to Internet Retailer, in 2019, 60% of millennials use online stores to buy various products. Most likely, this number will continue to increase. Hence, if you have a great retail business idea or want to sell online, an e-commerce website is the right option. Please note that the structure of online stores is often quite complex. They include many pages, a large volume of information, and numerous functions. As a result, the web design and maintenance price will significantly range based on your specific needs.

#3. Business

Any company that exists in the offline world should take care of its online presence. A business website can represent your company online, promote your services, and help build customer relationships. Business websites are used in various fields, from healthcare to heavy machinery, yet there are some common elements they usually include. Most business web pages have maps, live chat, customer reviews, services, and the About Us page. Also, such websites may need CRM integration to help their owners manage customer data and work more efficiently.

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#4. Personal

Use a personal website to document your life or share anything you want. Actually, among all the types of websites, this one offers the most freedom. On your personal page, you’re not limited to any business standards or the need to attract new customers. Just make sure to understand why you need this page and remember that everyone will be able to see it. You can even use free website templates to build a simple personal page. However, most free websites have third-party branding and use a subdomain. Therefore, this option may not be proper if you want a professional-looking resource.

#5. Educational

Compared to the listed types of websites, educational resources have the clearest goal. They contain a range of materials, videos, lectures, and links that help to cover different educational topics. Such pages are usually managed by educational institutions or operate as separate platforms for online education. In the latter case, they offer free and paid subscriptions to various courses developed by renowned professionals. Take a look at Udemy or Coursera as great samples of successful educational websites uniting thousands of users.

#6. Landing page

A landing page is a single page that opens when users click an ad, marketing email, or search result. Among the other types of websites, this one is the most effective in terms of sales and lead generation. Landing pages immediately prompt users to share their contact information, start a subscription, or complete a target action. However, you need to carefully plan the web development and web design of your landing page taking into account numerous factors. Inspire your users to do what you expect from them. Make it simple and convenient. In this case, the first impression and usability are the key to success.

#7. Review sites

Sections with reviews are usually included in the structure of a business website. Business owners use them to make their online pages more reliable and promote customer trust. Nevertheless, there are also separate web resources dedicated to reviews. Unlike business pages, they don’t promote a single brand and aim to be as objective as possible. Review sites collect user reviews related to a certain subject such as restaurants, laundry services, supermarkets, make-up products, and so on. Such types of websites are largely created to monetize user traffic and ads. They are a valuable information asset for anyone who needs to know what real customers think. Check out Yelp as a renowned sample of review website types.

#8. Streaming

Streaming sites are gaining popularity turning the usual TV into a thing of the past. Modern users prefer customized video content over trite TV channels with never-ending ads. A streaming website is a great way to monetize your or third-party content. There are also music streaming websites uniting millions of tracks to any liking. Usually, such websites are linked to social media and have sharing functionality to increase user engagement. Streaming sites are a wonderful option if you want to create a website that works as an entertainment platform.

Read more about: Why is Custom Web Development Better Than Website Builders?

#9. Blog

Starting as a hobby nowadays blogging has turned into a full-fledged business. People share their stories and recommendations in online articles to make money, build their brand, and promote various products. Blogs belong to simple types of websites that don’t require a lot of effort to develop. You can even use free website templates or online website builders. The trick is to ensure your content is informative, relevant, and SEO optimized.

#10. News

News web resources are familiar to anyone interested in economics, politics, or world affairs. In comparison with other types of websites, there are not so many web resources publishing news. To create reputable news, you need permanent access to fresh and reliable information which isn’t easy without a band of journalists. If you’re still asking yourself “What kind of website should I make”, don’t rush with a news website. On the other hand, if you run a news TV channel, periodical, or magazine, such a web page is a must. It will ensure your online presence and expand your target audience.

#11. Forum

Being social creatures people need constant group communication. Therefore, before the epoch of social networks, people used forums for interactive discussions and knowledge sharing. Although the role of forums has evolved, they remain one of the key types of websites. Quora and Reddit are some of the most widely-known forums. Consider creating a forum, if you have found a free niche with the relevant demand. This option is suitable for those who want to monetize traffic, improve customer support, or offer some social services. For example, for NGOs, forums help unite people to solve their problems with consolidated effort.

#12. Social networks

Social networks are, most likely, not the type of web resource you are going to create. Yet they take pride of place among other types of websites, so we felt like we needed to include them in this list. In the case of social networks, web development may cost millions of dollars. They require continuous maintenance and investment, which will only pay off in the long run. It’s not that easy to create a second Facebook or Instagram.

In case you have a company or business idea and want to increase your online presence, website creation should be the first step. This way you will have a solid basis for your future marketing campaign and growth. If you are not sure which of these website types is most suitable in your case or need web development help, contact our team for further assistance.