A lot has been said about how important it is that a company's site looks good. But do you really know what makes up a "good" or "great" looking website? Do you understand all the various ways in which a website can be designed and coded? If not, here is an introduction into some of the most common website types and their features.
A quick glance at any Internet search engine will reveal hundreds of thousands of results related to the topic of website types. So just by typing "website type," one might find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. That being said, if we look closely, we'll see that each site type comes with unique characteristics that make them distinct from others. And while they may share similar elements like colors and fonts, those elements are often used within specific contexts that set them apart visually as well as functionally. By understanding what sets one website type apart from another, you can become more confident when deciding on a website platform and visual style. Let's take a closer look at the 6 main types of websites below.
Websites come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and functions. Each of these categories offers very specific purposes for businesses. For example, e-commerce sites sell goods online, blogs allow users to post content regularly, landing pages lead traffic to other sections of a website, news websites provide breaking stories, etc. Knowing this information will give you a better idea of which types of websites would work best for your particular needs.
For instance, if you own a small business selling products through Amazon.com, then you'd want to choose a website type that caters specifically to online sales. A blog would probably not suit your needs because people don't buy things over the internet based solely off of reading text posts (unless they're trying to learn something). You could also opt for a simple landing page, but you should avoid using such a template unless you plan on promoting affiliate links or offering a free eBook.
The following table lists several popular website types along with their defining characteristics. Notice how much overlap exists between each category. Many times, even though two kinds of websites have nothing in common except for the fact that they both exist, one will use certain aspects of the other due to functionality or aesthetics reasons.
There are actually dozens of website styles, so feel free to explore further by checking out our article dedicated to the 15 most beautiful WordPress themes ever made.
While there are only six basic website types discussed above, there are actually eight major categories of websites. Most of these were created around 2005 and since then they've gained popularity among designers and developers. Here are the top five web categories you need to know about...
1) Blogs
Blogs are essentially personal or informational websites that feature regular updates. They usually contain articles written by individuals who speak directly to readers. Some blogs are focused on a single subject matter, while others cover multiple topics. The ability to publish new entries frequently allows bloggers to stay relevant with their audience.
2) E-Commerce Sites
E-commerce sites enable customers to purchase items from third parties. This includes everything ranging from clothing apparel to electronics accessories. These websites must offer shopping carts, payment gateways, shipping solutions, customer support, and inventory management tools. You can create an e-commerce site yourself via Shopify ($0/month), Big Commerce ($10 per month), Magento ($20 per month), PrestaShop ($50 per year), or Volusion ($99 per month).
3) Portals
Portal websites are large networks of smaller sites that link together under a central domain name. Popular portals include AOL, Yahoo!, Google, Facebook, Bing, and Wikipedia. It's important to note that although they appear to function similarly, they aren't necessarily built identically. While one portal may use Flash technology, another does not. In addition, one may require registration before viewing the homepage whereas another doesn't.
4) CMS Websites
Content Management Systems (CMS) are software programs that allow non-technical end users to easily update website content without having to hire programmers. There are countless options to consider including WordPress, Joomla!, Drupal, and Sitecore.
5) News Websites
News Websites feature headlines and short summaries about current events. Examples include CNN, BBC World Service, NY Times, Fox News, MSNBC, USA Today, and Buzzfeed.
6) Landing Pages
Landing pages are websites used to promote or advertise other parts of a larger website. Typically, visitors arrive at a landing page after clicking on a link somewhere else on the same website. After visiting the landing page, they're expected to click a button to either subscribe to newsletter, signup for email service, or fill out a form.
7) Social Media Websites
Social media websites connect users based upon shared interests. Users can follow friends and celebrities, comment on photos and videos posted by others, chat with strangers, upload music, download apps, watch live streams, and more. Some notable social media sites include Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, FourSquare, and Vine.
8) Static Websites
Static websites consist entirely of static HTML files. Since there's no database involved, they tend to load faster than dynamic ones. However, static websites lack interactivity and cannot display animations. Therefore, they're typically reserved for non-business uses. Popular examples include Craigslist and eBay.
Before learning about the different types of websites, let's discuss the terms commonly associated with websites. We'll begin with the first letter of the word "website." In English, that word begins with "w-" followed by "-site." When discussing websites, however, the term is generally shortened to simply "site." To clarify, the correct term is "webpage".
Webpages are comprised of hyperlinks, images, forms, video clips, audio tracks, and interactive components like buttons and dropdown menus. As mentioned earlier, each webpage contains code written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML). Although every browser displays HTML differently, there are four primary standards that define how browsers render websites. Those are W3C Standards, XHTML 1.0 Strict, CSS 2.1, and Mobile Web Design Guidelines.
Below is a brief explanation of each standard:
W3C Standards: W3C stands for World Wide Web Consortium. Its goal is to develop open standards that ensure interoperability across different devices. Every time you visit a site, you rely on W3C standards whether you realize it or not.
XHTML 1.0 Strict: The official version of HTML defines strict guidelines for how it should be structured. Any tags that deviate from the rules are considered invalid. Therefore, XHTML documents always adhere to the exact formatting structure required by W3C standards.
CSS 2.1: The Cascading Style Sheets specification provides detailed recommendations for creating attractive websites. One key aspect of CSS is its ability to change the appearance of individual elements.
Mobile Web Design Guidelines: These guidelines outline what constitutes mobile friendly designs. For instance, mobile web designs should respond to touch input rather than mouse clicks, adapt to screen size changes, and minimize unnecessary data downloads.
Now that you know more about web terminology, you can move forward with exploring the 6 most common website types.
In order to fully grasp how websites work, you need to understand the three main tiers of coding involved with building a website. Here is a brief overview of those tiers:
Frontend - This layer consists of all visible elements displayed on the user's device. Frontends are responsible for displaying all imagery, text, and graphics, as well as responding to user inputs.
Backend - Backend refers to the server side programming logic behind a website. Server-side scripts are stored locally on a computer's hard drive. They control how frontend elements behave, perform calculations, store databases, and communicate with backend systems like databases, APIs, and file storage servers.
Database - Databases serve as centralized repositories for storing data. They're essential to many modern applications and websites.
The internet is a vast place. It's like an ocean that stretches on and on without any end. There are so many things to see and do online. However, it can be quite overwhelming if you don't know how or when to go about starting a new project. The best way to get started is by having some idea as to what type of site will suit your needs. This article aims at giving you a basic understanding of the various types of web design available today. We'll also look at the 3 main categories of this field - the layers of web design, its structure, and finally, what makes up each layer of web design.
So let us begin...
Web design has traditionally been split into three distinct parts - front-end (or user interface), back-end (database management) and presentation. These three layers work together seamlessly to create a well designed website. Each level of web design serves a specific purpose. Front-end deals with the aesthetics of a given webpage. Back-end handles all the technical aspects of creating and managing databases. Finally, presentation allows users to view the content they want while maintaining visual appeal. A common misconception among people who have never delved deep down into the world of web design is that one person does all three jobs. In reality, a team of experts should handle everything from concept phase through to final implementation.
There is no standard definition of "web design" but most industry insiders agree that it involves the following elements:
1. Typography
2. Color scheme
3. Layout
4. Navigation/User Interface
5. Content Management System (CMS)
6. Browser Compatibility
7. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
8. Website Analytics
9. Responsive Design
10. User Experience (UX)
11. Marketing Strategy
12. Branding & Identity
13. Website Development Process
14. Graphic Designer
15. Project Manager
16. Server Hosting Provider
17. Technical Consultant
18. SEO Expert
19. Social Media Specialist
20. Software Engineer
21. Customer Support Team
22. Creative Director
23. Developer
24. Copywriter
25. Strategist
26. UX Researcher
27. UI/UX Designer
28. Programmer
29. Digital Marketer
30. CMO / CEO
31. Business Analyst
32. Chief Product Officer
33. IT Administrator
34. Data Scientist
35. Content Editor
36. Content Creator
37. Product Manager
38. Public Relations
39. Account Executive
40. Sales Representative
41. Lead Generator
42. Affiliate Marketers
43. Advertiser
44. Blogger
45. PR Firm
46. Online Reputation Manager
47. Email Campaigns
48. Ecommerce Platforms
49. Landing Pages
50. Mobile Apps
51. Virtual Reality App
52. VR Headsets
53. Video Games
54. Motion Graphics Animations
55. Animation Studio
56. Voice Over Artist
57. VFX Artists
58. Sound Engineers
59. Audio Mixers
60. Musicians
61. Actors
62. Singers
63. Writers
64. Filmmakers
65. Dancers
66. Visual Effects Companies
67. TV Production Studios
68. Live Streaming Services
69. Game Developers
70. Publishers
71. Editors
72. Journalists
73. Photographers
74. Fashion Models
75. Model Trainers
76. Makeup Artists
77. Hair Stylists
78. Cosmetologists
79. Fitness Experts
80. Pilates Instructors
81. Personal Trainer
82. Yoga Teachers
83. Physical Therapists
84. Chiropractors
85. Massage Therapist
86. Nutritionists
87. Weight Loss Counselors
88. Speech Pathologist
89. Dentists
90. Veterinary Surgeons
91. Veterinarians
92. Nurses
93. Pharmacists
94. Optometrists
95. Podiatrist
96. Athletic Trainers
97. Medical Doctors
98. Acupuncture Practitioners
99. Alternative Medicine Practitioners
100. Homeopaths
101. Naturopaths
102. Herbalism Practitioners
103. Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners
104. Ayurveda Practitioners
105. Psychotherapists
106. Hypnotherapy Practitioners
107. Life Coaches
108. Spiritual Leaders
109. Meditation Teachers
110. Dance Movement Therapy
111. Music Industry Professionals
112. Film Directors
113. Movie Producers
114. Screenwriters
115. Cinematographer
116. Playwrights
117. Costume Department
118. Stage Managers
119. Artistic Directors
120. Set Decoration Supervisors
121. Lighting Technicians
122. Costumes Supervisors
123. Casting Agents
124. Script Supervisor
125. Wardrobe Supervisors
126. Property Master
127. Make Up Artists
128. Casting Assistants
129. Assistant Costume Designer
130. Prop Masters
131. Assistant Wardrobe Dressers
132. Set Builders
133. Props Builders
134. Construction Workers
135. Carpenters
136. Painters
137. Plasterers
138. Scaffolders
139. Electricians
140. Drivers
141. Security Guards
142. Doorkeepers
143. Cleaners
144. Office Staff
145. Kitchen Personnel
146. Housekeeping Staff
147. Maintenance Crew Members
148. Craftspeople
149. Cooks
150. Baristas
151. Food Preparers
152. Cafeteria Operators
153. Dishwashers
154. Waitresses
155. Bartenders
156. Servers
157. Receptionists
158. Cashiers
159. Shoemakers
160. Tailors
161. Pattern Makers
162. Sewers
163. Shoe Fitter
164. Laundry Service Providers
165. Dry Cleaners
166. Ironmongers
167. Furniture Dealers
168. Bookbinders
169. Stationery Stores
170. Stamp Collectors
171. Paper Merchants
172. Ink Printers
173. Photo Lab Employees
174. Printing Press Operators
175. Packaging Machine Operators
176. Postal Delivery Workers
177. Mail Handlers
178. Postmen
179. Courier Services
180. Freight Forwarders
181. Shipping Brokers
182. Logistics Company Executives
183. Truck Owners
184. Taxi Driver
185. Insurance Adjusters
186. Financial Advisors
187. Bank Officers
188. Mortgage Loan Originators
189. Credit Card Issuers
190. Travel Agents
191. Flight Attendants
192. Airline Pilots
193. Aircraft Mechanics
194. Cargo Plane Loaders
195. Airlines Representatives
196. Cruise Line Captains
197. Tour Guides
198. Real Estate Agent
199. Stockbroker
200. Lawyer
201. Investment Advisor
202. Tax Attorney
203. Legal Professional
204. Landlord
205. Leaseholder
206. Architectural Draftsperson
207. Interior Designers
208. Architects
209. Interior Contractors
210. Building Inspections
211. Site Surveys
212. Environmental Testing
213. Geotechnical Engineering Specialists
214. Civil Engineers
215. Structural Engineers
216. Mechanical Engineers
217. Electrical Engineers
218. Computer Scientists
219. Chemical Engineers
220. Nuclear Engineers
221. Mining Engineers
222. Materials Science Engineers
223. Geological Engineers
224. Petroleum Engineers
225. Oceanographic Engineers
226. Marine Biologists
227. Military Engineers
228. Spacecraft Engineers
229. Naval Architects
230. Aeronautical Engineers
231. Astronautics Engineers
232. Rocket Design Engineers
233. Spacecraft Manufacturers
234. Satellite Systems Engineers
235. Aerospace Technologists
236. Aviation Technologists
237. Missile Defense Analysts
238. Electronic Warfare Analysts
239. Communications Electronics Technologists
240. Remote Sensing Technologists
241. Radar Technician
242. Electro-Optical Technologies
243. Infrared Technology
244. Laser Technology
245. Quantum Physics
246. Atomic Spectroscopy
247. Molecular Spectroscopy
248. Plasma Physics
249. Quantum Chemistry
250. Astrophysics
251. Particle Acceleration Laboratory
252. Neutron Facility Operator
253. Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility Operations
254. Radiation Protection
255. Gamma Ray Detector Operator
256. X-Ray Tube Operator
257. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Equipment Operation
258. MRI Scanner Operator
259. CT Scanner Operator
260. PET Scanner Operator
261. Ultrasound Scanner Operator
262. Mammogram Operator
263. Endoscopy Operator
1. Flat Design
Flat Design refers to websites which have been designed using flat visual elements such as gradients, drop shadows, and typography.
Pros:
Cons:
In short, Flat Design is the trendiest form of web design in recent times. It was first introduced back in 2014, but has since become more popular than ever before. In fact, it's currently considered one of the most common forms of web design used globally. As mentioned above, there are three primary components which make up Flat Design - namely, typography, color schemes, and images.
Typography
Most commonly known as fonts, text is arguably the most important element of all. Without text, no matter how good your image-based designs may be, they would just not work. Therefore, typography must always come first.
To put it simply, typography is the art of selecting and arranging letters within words. It requires knowledge of both lettering styles (such as calligraphy, cursive style, etc.) and font selection. With proper use of typography, you can create visually appealing sites that can stand the test of time. You can even add additional emphasis through the use of bolded and italicized words.
There are two different ways to choose from when choosing fonts to use on your site. One method involves choosing a particular typeface and then adding other stylistic features to it. On the other hand, another way involves choosing from a range of pre-designed fonts which already include variations in size, weight, spacing, and more. Which route you take depends largely upon your personal preference. Both methods offer their own unique set of pros and cons.
As far as layout goes, typography should play a large part in determining the overall appearance of a page. Typography will determine whether you want a clean, modern
When it comes down to how and why you should have a website in place, it's important to understand that there are three basic ways people use them. While each type has its own specific purpose, they all serve similar functions. So let's take a look at those three so we can better learn about which one would be best for our company or organization.
The first type of website is called a landing page. This is an introductory site designed to entice visitors into following through on buying something (usually a product) from a particular brand. It usually displays a call-to-action button that directs users to another website or offers a coupon code that will remove shipping charges if purchased. The goal here is to generate leads by enticing potential customers to purchase something without giving them any other reason to do so.
Another common type of website is known as a blog post. These sites provide information in text form, usually articles written by authors who write regularly for their blogs. They're typically used to share news stories, opinions, tips, advice, etc. Blogs are often used by businesses as a marketing tool because they allow business owners to stay connected with current clients while also providing helpful resources to new ones.
A third type of website is referred to as a magazine style layout. These types of sites feature multiple columns of content, most commonly photos. Some even offer videos and interactive features such as polls, quizzes, forums, calendars, and more. The idea behind this kind of site is to attract readers' attention and keep them interested long enough to read every word. Magazines are mostly used by companies looking to promote themselves to others in order to gain exposure and build credibility.
Now that you know the main three categories of websites, it's time to dive deeper into exactly what each category entails. Let's begin with landing pages.
Landing pages are meant to encourage sales and increase traffic to another location. A good example of this might be a retail store's homepage that encourages consumers to visit a certain section of the store based off of an ad campaign promoting said products. Another great example of this is when someone clicks on the "Shop Now" link on Amazon's home page, directing them to the retailer's online storefront. In both cases, the goal is to draw customers in by offering free samples, coupons, and discounts that are only available at the given destination.
With that being said, here are five reasons why landing pages work well for businesses.
1. To create awareness. If you want to get noticed, then you need to make your presence felt. That means getting the attention of passersby who may not otherwise notice you. With a landing page, you'll easily achieve this goal since the entire point is to capture their interest before moving onto the next step.
2. To advertise special deals. When you've got lots of eyeballs watching your ads, you stand much greater odds of generating revenue than just doing nothing. And if you can't afford to pay to produce ads yourself, then using a landing page is definitely a smart choice. Just remember to put your best foot forward and don't overdo the discount to avoid losing potential buyers.
3. To showcase unique offerings. There's no doubt that landing pages are excellent tools for advertising specials and promotions. But if you really want to set yourself apart from competitors, consider creating a separate webpage dedicated solely to showcasing your best selling items. You could even integrate social media buttons to drive additional traffic directly to your homepage.
4. To highlight upcoming events. As mentioned above, landing pages are ideal for promoting special sales and giveaways. However, you can also use them to announce big news like grand openings, launch parties, and more. People love to go back to places they frequent, so making announcements via a landing page gives you a chance to show off your latest accomplishment to anyone who visits.
5. To establish trust. Even though landing pages aren't entirely appropriate for establishing relationships between brands, they still play a role in building customer confidence. After all, you wouldn't expect to receive a phone call from someone you never met before, but that's exactly what happens when you click on a generic email address. By contrast, clicking on a contact name embedded within a landing page allows you to connect with prospective customers in a natural manner.
While landing pages are certainly useful, they're far from perfect. Most importantly, they tend to lack originality and creativity since they rely heavily upon pre-existing templates. On top of that, they require constant maintenance due to updates and changes made throughout the year. For instance, if you decide to add a new item to your inventory list during the month of August, you'd have to update your site immediately.
So now that we've taken a closer look at what landing pages actually entail, it's clear that they have their benefits but also come with drawbacks. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that give you more control over your website.
Aside from increasing visibility, landing pages aren't necessarily the best option for everyone. If you plan to sell your goods online, then you probably won't benefit much from them. Instead, opt for a simple ecommerce platform like Shopify instead. Not only does it eliminate the hassle of maintaining a site, it also makes it easy to track orders, manage inventory, and process payments. Plus, you can customize the shopping experience to fit your needs.
If you prefer to maintain a personal touch, then a landing page may be a bit too impersonal. The truth is, nobody wants to feel rushed or pressured into purchasing anything, especially if it's done electronically. So if you want to make a sale, you need to ensure that your visitors feel comfortable with whatever actions they choose to perform. One solution is to include live chat support integrated into your website. Alternatively, you can simply ask questions beforehand, thereby ensuring that your visitor feels completely informed about the transaction.
One of the biggest advantages of having a website is that it provides instant access to information. No longer do you have to wait until tomorrow morning to check the weather report or find out the stock market prices. Websites always contain up-to-date information regardless of whether you log on once per week or once per day.
But aside from keeping you updated on critical issues, a website can also save you money. Since you have complete control over the appearance, function, and content, you can tailor your website to suit your individual preferences. For example, you can change the color scheme whenever you wish, incorporate various widgets and gadgets for added functionality, or even replace whole sections if needed. All of these options enable you to spend less time worrying about things outside of your control, and more time focusing on growing your business.
Finally, if you don't already believe that having a website increases your chances of success, think again. According to research conducted by HubSpot, 74% of small businesses say that their website improves their bottom line. Furthermore, 77% of small businesses agree that having a website helps them reach targeted audiences faster. Of course, these numbers vary depending on industry, size of company, geographic area, etc., but they speak volumes nonetheless.
As previously stated, there are numerous different methods of web design. Each requires its own level of technical expertise and skillfulness. However, since you're likely working alone, you shouldn't worry about learning complicated coding languages. Although HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Adobe Photoshop are essential skills, you don't need to master them in order to successfully operate your own website.
Instead, focus your efforts on choosing a template that's user friendly. Many popular programs nowadays automatically detect errors in syntax and offer corrections accordingly. This saves you a lot of time and stress compared to manually editing files.
In addition, you don't have to devote countless hours trying to learn how to properly utilize WordPress plugins and themes. Simply install whichever theme suits you best and then follow the instructions included in the documentation. Once you get past the initial setup phase, you'll be able to tweak the theme according to your liking in mere minutes.
On top of everything else, it doesn't matter if you're an experienced designer or a beginner. Regardless of your background, you can quickly learn how to build a functional website thanks to the multitude of tutorials available online. And although there are hundreds of different software packages and programming languages, you don't need to become proficient in all of them. Pick the one(s) that you enjoy the most and then stick with it.
And finally, when it comes down to the final decision, try to pick a service provider that fits your budget. Don't settle for a low cost option, as high quality results ultimately outweigh lower costs. You'll save money in the end if you hire professionals rather than spending endless hours attempting to fix problems yourself.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.