What are the different types of websites?

Websites on the internet are popping up every day in huge numbers. It is estimated that there are 1.7 billion websites currently running right now, and the number increases two-fold with every passing minute. These websites are scattered all over the internet like stars are in the galaxy. There was a time when websites were only text-based and used only by government organizations to convey information. Today it is being used by everyone, and even the smallest of businesses have their websites. There is a Nicholas Sparks website , dedicated to an American novelist and his twenty-two published novels, or Forbes , an American business magazine that features talks on finance, industry, investment, etc., or even websites about internet providers around the US marketing their plans, for instance, Xfinity internet and Xfinity Bundles. Hence, websites have such a wide range, and this guide will categorize them into their types. So, read below to learn about how websites are categorized.

Types of Websites:

• Business Websites. This type of website is designed to present the identity of a business on the internet. A business needs to make its presence visible on the internet to promote its products and services and encourage inquiries from potential customers.
• Brochure/Catalogue Websites display a business’s products and services and usually include testimonials, case studies, images, and videos. A brochure website is much simpler than a catalog website in that it presents an attractive online advertisement for businesses showing a summary of what it is selling, where it is located, how it can be contacted, etc. Whereas catalog websites tend to have hundreds of pages representing product ranges.  
• E-Commerce Websites or Electronic Commerce allow consumers to make an online purchase of a business’s products and services and pay through an online gateway. Consumers can access such websites any time of the day, without having to pick up a phone call for purchasing. They can make any number of purchases they want, add to virtual cart if they want to access it later, and then go towards virtual checkout for payment.
• Non-Profit Websites are the ones that represent a not for profit organizations like medical research, charity organization, or any research-based facility. Non-profit websites are mostly used for charitable purposes and educate the public about certain issues. These websites also showcase the work of the organization in terms of how it benefits society as well as individuals.
• Educational Websites represent an educational institution such as schools, colleges, or universities. It is also used by a private education provider like a virtual college offering online courses or distance learning. Educational sources are not necessarily provided on the website themselves, but details about an educational department, a picture of the campus, term dates and their fees, contact details, etc. are included.
• Business Directory Websites, as the name suggests, is a database full of information about many businesses. They’re traditionally very useful for advertising and also provide valuable sources of free links towards the business websites.
• Search Engine websites are very useful for finding relevant content on the internet. They present a blank slate to a user where they can present any query by typing or pasting a picture. The search engine, as a result, is programmed to respond to such queries, process them through an algorithm, and present websites or images based on their relevancy.
• Crowdfunding Websites have become an important part of the web economy, allowing individuals to make charitable appeals to friends and families or internet users anywhere in the world. These appeals can include medical care, financial support, or any minor donations that a person in help needs.

Also Read: How To Use Social Media for Virtual Event Marketing

• Portfolio Websites. On the portfolio website, artists, writers, craftspeople, designers, and others working in creative fields showcase their works. They put up a gallery of their sample work, either of visual nature or literary, that other users can peruse over.  
• Informational Websites. These types of websites are designed to provide information on a particular topic or a range of topics but do not provide courses or sell information. It can also include a fan site dedicated to a public figure or a celebrity. Informational websites mainly represent a hobby or interest of the creator, but some informational websites might attract funding for advertising, crowdfunding, or donations.
• Social Media Websites include websites that facilitate social interaction between internet users. It can be public chat rooms, instant messaging services, or a newsfeed consisting of comments and news updates by contacts. These are the most widely used websites being used in this contemporary era.
• Individuals having common interests can connect through Online Community Websites. Their focus might be on a particular sport, type of music, pastime, country, town, or anything that they have an interest in. These websites also typically include forums and message boards where anyone can post topics for others to respond to and comment on.

These are just some of the types of websites that you will find spread out all over the internet, and it doesn’t stop here. A website allows 24/7 access to you and anyone who wants to access it. That way anyone can obtain information as quickly as they want.