25 February 2010
Article on types of websites and objectives

Types of Websites

As explained in my previous articles, the type of website best suited to your business depends totally on your requirements and the objectives and goals of your website.

As previously mentioned, some of the common primary objectives of a website include:

Advertising your product(s) or service(s) online.

Selling your product(s) or service(s)online.

Providing online customer service and support.

Providing online product, service or corporate information.

Creating and establishing brand identity and brand awareness.

Creating and establishing company identityand company awareness.

Website Varieties

Originally, websites were purely created for informational purposes only. Before the World Wide Web became what we know it as today, educational and research institutions and government agencies were able to make information available to each other via text only websites.

Now that we have the World Wide Web, there are numerous types of websites.

Here I will discuss the basic and most common types, noting that I will not include all and that there are hybrids of all those discussed.

There are many varieties of websites, each having a specific objective or goal, using specific types of content, use and interaction etc., and can be classified into various categories.

These categories are not distinct and can, and indeed in a lot of cases do, overlap, sometimes to a large degree.

Website Classifications

Blog

The name Blog is derived from the shortening of the two words WebLogs. A blog is essentially an online diary or journal. Blogs can be created by anyone using free online services. Free online software also allows the installation of a blog on a pre-existing website within minutes.

Brochureware or Corporate Website

This type of website is the perfect solution for a business wanting to create a web presence but does not require or is not suited to such things as e-commerce or other interactive features. Usually these types of websites are designed and developed based on existing printed brochures for that business, and are an extension of the marketing campaign for that business, hence the name. They usually provide the visitor with such information as contact details, product/service details and location information etc., with the objective of acting as an extension to a company’s sales
and marketing efforts, providing information to potential clients with the hope that the company will be contacted by email or phone, or visited in person, for more information etc. This type of website is useful for companies who are planning to use their website as a marketing tool.

In the days before the Internet, businesses used newspapers, magazines, radio, and television media to market or advertise their business. Now using the Internet a large net can be cast, reaching literally millions of people, opening and creating new markets, with just one website. With your a brochure or catalog website, you can show anyone who looks for and finds your website, photos and descriptions of your products or services.

Brand Building or Brand Awareness Website

This type of website serves the propose of creating or increasing brand awareness.

These sites usually do not sell anything - try to buy a bottle of coca cola on their website.

E-commerce or Commercial Website

The primary objective of an e-commerce website is to sell goods or services online. They are among the most common types of website on the Internet. The amount of business transactions conducted electronically has
grown extraordinarily with the increase of Internet usage.

Because of the importance and significance of e-commerce, especially in todays current economic climate my next article will be devoted entirely to this online activity.

Forum Websites

Forum websites are websites where people discuss various topics.

They serve as platforms for these topics and promote interactions amongst the users. Most forums cater to a specific industry or a specific field.

Informational

Informational websites are designed and developed for the purpose of providing information - whether free or
paid. They can cater for a specific topic or industry or be wider in their scope or topics.

Social Networking or Community Websites

A social networking or community website is a website where persons with similar interests communicate with each
other, usually by chat or message boards.

Examples would be Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Bebo etc. These websites build online communities of people who want to interact with other people socially or meet people who share their interests.

Wiki Websites

A wiki website is a website which allows users collaboratively create and edit information on that website.

Examples of wiki websites would be Wikipedia and Wikihow.

Many websites are a mixture of types and may be included in one or more of these categories.

For example, a business web site may promote the businesses products, but may also host informative documents, such as white papers or provide news for it’s visitors.

Remember, information is the soul of the internet and if used wisely, articles and informational pieces are a good way to entice visitors to your website and ultimately convert them to customers.

At all times remember, its your business, your website.