Different Types of Websites and Their Goals 🤓
- Engineering, Dev & IT
Discover popular types of websites for businesses and unlock the perfect fit for your brand with our comprehensive guide.
A compelling website is more than just a digital calling card — it’s a gateway to growth for businesses of all shapes and sizes. With a wide range of different website types to choose from, selecting one that suits your needs can be a challenge.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the popular types of websites for businesses, including their benefits and when to use them. We’ll also offer inspiring examples to get your creative juices flowing. As an added bonus, we’ll go over how Contra’s suite of tools empowers Independents to promote their personal brands, secure remote work, and deliver exceptional websites to their clients!
Embracing websites for business success 💡
There’s no doubt about it — we’re living in a digital world. A polished website has become a non-negotiable necessity for establishing a robust digital presence. The proof is in the pudding; according to Stanford’s Web Credibility Research, most consumers judge a company’s credibility based on its website.
This notion holds true not just for brands in every industry but also for Independents looking to position themselves as experts in their field. It must be well-designed, too, as Adobe found that 38% of people stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive.
Investing in a well-crafted website is essential because it helps shape your reputation, attract potential clients, and boost your success online.
How to create your own website 💻
Creating your own website is easier than ever, thanks to different types of website platforms, such as Wix, WordPress, and Webflow. A website builder empowers you to build your small business website quickly and easily with help from tutorials, intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, and customizable templates. The end result? A stunning digital presence — no coding required!
However, if you want to make your business or personal website truly unique, learning web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is essential. Master these to craft bespoke, interactive, responsive websites and elevate your design services.
7 popular types of websites 🏅
Understanding the purpose of a website helps determine the best way to boost your digital presence. Below, we’ll explore the most popular types of websites, including their uses, when to choose them, essential elements, and examples of good websites for each category.
E-commerce website 🛍️
An e-commerce site is a digital storefront that allows Independents and businesses to buy and sell physical goods, digital products, and services on the web.
- Purpose: To sell products or services online.
- When to use it: When you have ready-made products or services to sell directly to customers.
- Key elements: Product listings, a shopping cart function, secure payment gateways, and customer reviews.
- Examples: Amazon and Etsy.
Business website 💼
This kind of website establishes an Independent or company’s online presence, telling potential customers and clients about their services, values, and achievements.
- Purpose: To provide information about a company and its offerings.
- When to use it: When you want to introduce your brand to leads and customers.
- Key elements: Company overview, mission statement, contact information, and testimonials.
- Examples: Apple and IBM.
Blog 🗨️
A blog allows the owner to share written content about anything they’re interested in. It can also be used to establish a company’s expertise on a topic and build authority as a voice in its industry.
- Purpose: To share articles, news, advice, and personal experiences.
- When to use it: If you want to share content with your audience, engage in conversation, or demonstrate knowledge and skills.
- Key elements: Blog posts, author bio, comments section, and social sharing buttons.
- Examples: Seth Godin’s blog and our professional advice blog, The Contrarian.
Portfolio website 📂
Creative professionals use portfolio websites to showcase their work and help potential clients understand what they’re all about. Contra makes it even easier with our handy Portfolio tool, which offers website templates (complete with custom domains) that are made for freelancers.
- Purpose: To showcase an Independent’s work, skills, and experience.
- When to use it: When you want to display your work and attract potential clients.
- Key elements: Portfolio, bio, description of services, and contact information.
- Examples: Sílvia Pinho, Cory "Flowman" Runnells, and Kristina Lopez.
Event website 📅
An event website streamlines event management. It acts as your online event marketing headquarters if you’re hosting a convention, party, or festival.
- Purpose: To promote and manage an event.
- When to use it: If you’re hosting conferences, festivals, or other events requiring online promotion and registration.
- Key elements: Event details, ticketing, schedule, and venue information.
- Examples: SXSW, Burning Man, and Adobe MAX.
Informational website 📖
A website for information provides details about a specific topic — often via long-form content — that satisfies the readers’ curiosity.
- Purpose: To provide in-depth information on a specific topic.
- When to use it: If you want to educate and inform website visitors on a particular subject.
- Key elements: Articles, resources, multimedia content, and references.
- Examples: Wikipedia and WebMD.
Service provider website 📺
Service provider websites complete online services. Potential services include streaming, photo editing, translating, and searching.
- Purpose. To provide an online service.
- When to use it. When you want to offer a specialized service to your clients or customers.
- Key elements. Tutorials on using the tool, account personalization, and payment options.
- Examples. Netflix, Google Translate, and DuckDuckGo.
The importance of web design ⭐
Now that you’re familiar with the various types of websites and their goals, there’s another element to consider: web design. We can’t overstate the importance of effective, intuitive web design in crafting a successful digital presence; it can make or break a user’s impression of your business. Impactful, creative web design ensures a user-friendly experience for your target audience.
In addition to choosing the right website type, you should consider the following key design aspects:
Type of content 🚀
Will your website feature dynamic or static content? The former changes regularly (e.g., news and blog posts), while the latter remains constant (like a company’s “About Us” page). Dynamic websites display different content each time a user visits, offering a more up-to-date experience. Static websites are simple, low maintenance, and typically exist to provide evergreen information.
Optimization for different screens 📱🖥️
Provide a seamless browsing experience across devices using optimized web design, which ensures your website adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions, including mobile devices. There are three main approaches to cross-platform web design:
- Static/fixed. Static websites are not optimized for different screen sizes. They maintain a fixed pixel width regardless of the device, often resulting in a subpar user experience.
- Fluid/liquid. Fluid or liquid website designs maintain consistent proportions across all screen sizes. Different website elements, such as the navigation bar, occupy the same relative space on every device.
- Responsive. Responsive design adapts a web page’s appearance and functionality for each device, meaning it may look different on a smartphone versus a laptop. It minimizes zooming, pinching, and scrolling for the best possible user experience.
Carefully consider these factors and choose the best website type for your brand to create a compelling online presence that resonates with your target audience.
Feeling inspired? ⚡
Now that you’re well-versed in the different types of websites, it’s time to offer your independent design services on Contra. Our commission-free platform allows you to showcase your skills and connect with clients all over the globe.
Not a web design expert? We still have you covered! If you need a website for your business or personal brand, browse our Discover feed to hire the perfect independent web designer or UX designer and bring your dream to life. Whether you’re already a pro designer or you’re seeking one, Contra is the ideal platform to help you thrive in the digital world.
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