Defining websites is now more complicated than ever thanks to the diversification and development of resources and technology. Below is a breakdown of the different types of websites you can find on the World Wide Web.
eCommerce Websites
Ecommerce websites are online stores that make it easy to shop from the comfort of your home. Ecommerce websites allow business owners to run and maintain their store from home or office without the need for an expensive storefront. This type of website also incorporates a checkout cart to allow you to purchase directly from the site.
blog
Blogs (abbreviated from web log) came to the mainstream in the early to mid-2000s. This type of website operates in reverse chronological order and can support a second website or stand alone in its own right. Blogs are very popular as they allow direct and personal interaction with your readers, who can provide comments directly on the website.
personal websites
Personal websites are generated by individuals for friends and family to share information and images with each other. This type of site is of limited use for businesses (even micro-businesses) as its setup is generally not search engine friendly.
Photo sharing websites
These websites have only one purpose, which is to allow you to upload and share photos online. Generally free to use, they have many practical uses, especially for those in the art and photography industry.
Mobile websites
Trying to view full-size websites on a mobile phone can be difficult; however, websites are now being created specifically for this purpose. As more and more people use their phones to browse the Internet and view web pages, the number of these sites will only increase in the future.
informative websites
These are identified as sites that strive to provide information on a particular topic or topics to the reader. Online dictionaries, town halls and real estate companies are examples of informational websites. They give you information you may be looking for, as well as more details on how you can contact the company in question, if applicable.
Brochure/Catalog Style Websites
An online brochure based website is more than just for informational purposes as it goes deeper to provide information about the products that are available to buy. This differs from the traditional e-commerce website, as it does not have the payment function available online to buy immediately. A website like IKEA provides a perfect example, as you can search for stock online and check availability, however to buy you need to visit your nearest retail outlet.
Social media and networking websites
These websites are a combination of networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, although they may also embed online forums (whether for business or personal use). They are created purely for socializing and discussing topics. Social websites allow one-on-one connections between individuals.
So before you launch into a redesign of your current business or a new business venture entirely, think about which website might suit your purposes so that you can clearly identify your website requirements.