What Are The 13 Main Types of Websites?
1. Brochure Website
When you think of a Brochure Website, think literally of, well… a brochure. The main purpose for a brochure is for a business to outline their services or what they offer. A simple way to create a business website is to create a brochure website, one which outlines primarily the services offered and the contact information (to call the business and request those services). Beyond this, brochure websites are simple and don’t have much more information – just the important stuff… so you can make money.
2. Business Website
Much like a brochure website, except with more details. This website might have extended information, such as:
- Events
- Sales & Specials
- Testimonials
- Quote Forms (To receive quote instantly based on user input)
- About the founders, owners, staff, executives, etc.
- Information for shareholders and stocks (if applicable)
- And more.
3. eCommerce Website
eCommerce websites are essentially online stores. An eCommerce website will most likely have a shopping cart and checkout option. If a website doesn’t offer a shopping cart and checkout, it’s probably a different type of website that just happens to sell stuff. Amazon and eBay are examples of eCommerce websites; however, John’s Reviewing Blog, which refers users to buy items on Amazon, is a blog, not an eCommerce website.
4. Educational Website
Educational websites offer online courses. You generally have to register on these websites and will often earn a certificate upon completion. Websites such as Coursera, Udemy, or even your local community college, which offers online courses. If a college (for example) has a website, but does not offer online courses, this is a business website (for the college), not an educational website.
5. Entertainment Website
6. Infopreneur Website
Infopreneur websites create and sell… information. Tutorials, eBooks, courses, and more.
7. Media Website
Media websites, basically referring to the news media posts or stream news content, usually aimed at a particular region. The region can be big or small, whether it’s local (city) news, state news, southeastern news, United States news, India news, China news, or in some cases, World news. The larger the region, usually the more narrow the niche is. World news for example, probably focuses on breaking news (big deal information) relating to a particular subject, such as politics.
8. Nonprofit Website
Nonprofit websites are usually philanthropy and charity websites, but not always. A nonprofit website simply means, the website (and/or the company that runs the website) doesn’t work for a profit. If they keep a profit at the fiscal year end, generally, this money is funneled back into the company, rather than extra vacations for the owners. However, don’t confuse nonprofit with no profit. The owners and employees are eligible to be paid, this is paid out as a company expense rather than a profit to the company. Nonprofits usually have to register with legal entities, local, state, and federal governments, and tax-exempt status. In the United States, we call this a 501(c)(3), which is a section in the United States Internal Revenue Service code. Most businesses in the United States must have a 501(c)(3) in order to collect donations from the general public without paying taxes on the donations. Without a 501(c)(3), a company that collects donations is required to count this money as income and therefore, pay taxes on the money received.
9. Personal Website
Personal websites, such as blogs about your personal life (family life, parenting blogs, etc.), are websites in which you are creating for personal reasons. Generally, the main goal of these websites is more about passion rather than making money. Parenting blogs are often created because a parent is passionate about… being a parent. Cooking blogs are often created because someone is passionate about cooking. In most cases, monetizing is the secondary (not the primary) purpose of creating a personal website; whereas, passion is the primary reason. Many of these websites earn money beyond your wildest dreams (thousands of dollars per month or even per week) because, let’s face it, websites created by someone that’s passionate about their chosen niche, is well… awesome. I love personal websites and my traffic to those websites is just one of the millions some blogs receive each month. This traffic earns them money.
10. Portfolio Website
This website you’re reading now, is an example of a portfolio website. If you jump to the homepage, you’ll notice sections such as skills, experience, about me, etc. Basically, a portfolio website is like an actor’s portfolio. It’s what they’re good at, their experience, probably a professional photo or headshot, etc. Think of a portfolio website like someone’s resume.
11. Social Networking Website
12. Web Portal Website or Platform
A web portal is usually a members-only website with limited to no information provided until you login. After logging in, you might be given tools, apps, and more available as a logged in user. Think of a college website for students only, where the student can login, view their schedules, sign up for classes, pay their tuition, and more. On the frontend (before logging in), it probably has a simple design, little to no information, and a login box.
13. Wiki Website
Wiki websites, most of the time are free, content websites such as Wikipedia. Much of the content is created by the community (rather than the owner of the wiki website). In many cases, registration and posting new content is open to the general public. Usually, these websites offer various licenses the poster gets to choose from. Licenses such as Creative Commons, which can extend the content for free use, personal or commercial, can license the content to personal only, can license the content as copyrighted, etc. Most of the time, you’ll find the applicable license near the bottom of the page.
