An Introduction to Different Website Types
Wednesday, November 14th, 2007There are a variety of different websites found on the internet, each with different functionality. The type of website you will need will vary depending on your goals.
Brochure-type website (a type of static website)
This is the simplest type of website. It is the internet equivalent of a paper brochure, with a main purpose of demonstrating and promoting a service or goods. Visitors to this type of website cannot interact with the website or company apart from viewing information, or through emailing them.
Website with additional functionality such as forms
A minor and common addition to a static website is a website that includes forms. Forms allow a user to interact with the website or company in a number of ways. One of the simplest types of forms is a contact form, which allows a visitor to send a message direct from the browser - without opening or using an email programme.
Website based on a database (known as a dynamic website)
Websites that use databases add a whole new level of functionality to your website. Databases provide websites with a form of “memory”, and a new way for a user to interact with your website. This category includes websites that have content management systems (CMS), websites that have member areas, many ecommerce websites, blogs, and wikis. Below these types of websites are discussed in more detail.
Website with a content management system (CMS)
This is a website that has a system that allows users to make changes to the website content easily, which is very useful for websites that have owners that do not want to tamper with code directly, but need to make regular changes to the content of their website. The CMS usually relies on forms to make changes to the text of the page that is stored in databases.
Wiki or Website with a wiki
A wiki is very similar to a CMS (see above), but they are normally set up to allow more than 1 user to make changes to the content. This is what is behind the most famous wiki of them all, Wikipedia.
Blog or Website with a blog
This type of website is for people that regularly post articles and/or receive comments. The technology behind blogs is usually based on the same technology that is used in CMS or wikis.
Ecommerce website
Ecommerce refers to doing business on the internet, and this type of website is needed if you plan to sell items or services directly over the internet. There are a number of ways of collecting money over the internet, including directly using merchant accounts or by using a third-party service such as Paypal or Google Checkout. These services can be integrated with your website through a database that keeps track of your stock or services, or the payment system can be very simple and you can manage your records manually.
