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Website Design Types - 14 Examples Of The Most Common Website Types
1. Brochure-Style Business Websites
In its simplest form, a brochure-style website is a digital version of a printed brochure. It displays the products or services a company provides, inviting customers to place an order or book a service.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Brochure-Style Business Website :-
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Clear purpose.
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Simplified design and navigation.
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Simple user interaction.
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Number of pages usually range from 1 – 5.
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Products/Services image gallery page.
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About page.
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Contact page.
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Blog, if required.
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Testimonials/Other social proof, if required.
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Basic site functionality via plug-ins and extensions, if required.
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Basic social media integration, if required.
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Basic search engine optimisation (SEO).
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Mobile optimised.
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
2. Small-to-Medium Sized Business Websites
A small-to-medium sized business website provides an online presence so that potential cutomers can learn about a company, its employees, products, services, and culture.
These types of sites are many and varied in both size and content. Their focus is on brand recognition, management and development, anticipating and providing for all of their customers' informational needs.
Similar to brochure-style websites these sites also tend to only display products and services, inviting customers to place an order or book a service, rather than sell to them directly online.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Small-To-Medium Sized Business Website :-
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Business appropriate design (based on who the target audience is).
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Well-organised navigation.
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Number of pages usually range from 5 - 20.
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Customised content management system, more lead-generation content.
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Extended number of Products/Services pages.
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Multimedia activity.
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About page.
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Contact page.
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Blog, if required.
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Testimonials/Other social proof, recommended.
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Advanced site functionality via plug-ins and extensions, if required.
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Basic social media integration, recommended.
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Mission, health & safety, statement/s, if required.
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Search engine optimised (SEO), basic on-page SEO.
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Mobile optimised.
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
3. Corporate Business Websites
Corporate websites, in general, make up a broad category of websites united by the single goal of promoting a company as a whole, rather than focus on a single product or service. However, some companies do portray themselves as having product/service expertise, or being a market leader in a particular discipline or field.
Corporate sites contain detailed information promoting the visibility, reach, credibility, and capability of the business, often globally. Such sites serve not only as an indicator of the status of the company, but also as a public 'showcase' showing the degree of development of corporate style and culture.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Corporate Business Website :-
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Strong, professional branding.
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Highly-customised, logical information architecture design.
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Number of pages usually 20+.
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Highly customised content management system, lead-generation/data capture forms.
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Compelling content/ Professional copywriting.
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Greater use of multimedia and visuals.
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Strong calls-to-action (CTA's).
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About page.
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Contact page.
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Blog.
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Testimonials/Other social proof.
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Mission, environmental, human rights, equal opportunities, health & safety, statement/s.
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Advanced site functionality via plug-ins and extensions.
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High integration with social media platforms.
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Advanced search engine optimisation (SEO), on-page SEO via copywriting SEO.
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Mobile optimised.
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
4. Landing Page Sites
A landing page is a standalone web page, designed for a specific marketing purpose.The primary objective of the landing page is to be the only page that satisfies the visitor's informational needs with the intent to generate sales, sign-ups, leads, or whatever specific action the page is designed for.
Landing pages are customised to a specific campaign or offer and guide visitors towards a single call-to-action (CTA). They have unique design characteristics that make it easier for the visitor to perform the desired action. In short, landing pages are specifically designed for conversion.
There are five different types of landing page, each with their own characteristics :-
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Squeeze Landing Page – A lead capture/opt-in page to get personal details from a visitor in return for a 'benefit'.
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Long-Form Landing Page– A sales letter giving a detailed explanation of the product/service benefits.
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Click-Through Landing Page – A page that is focused on convincing a visitor to click-through to a sales conversion.
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Product/Service Details Landing Page – A page usually linked to a business website highlighting the benefits of a product/service.
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Video Landing Page – A page that includes a sales video encouraging a sales conversion.
Essential Elements Of A Landing Page (None Should Be Optional) :-
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Compelling main headline.
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Supporting headline.
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Unique value proposition.
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Hero image/video.
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Key benefits.
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Clear calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Testimonials/Other social proof.
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Reinforcement statement.
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Closing argument.
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Social media links.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
5. Sales Funnel Sites
A sales funnel is a marketing concept that describes the journey a prospect has to take in order to purchase a product or service. The sales funnel construct is a series of ordered web pages that focus and guide potential customers along a buyer's journey from the awareness to the conversion (purchase) stage.
As a potential customer passes through the steps of the sales funnel, it signifies a deeper commitment to the purchase goal. The most common type of sales funnel for a potential customer involves the four AIDA steps :-
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Attention - A prospective customer sees a company's advert, social media post, or hears about it through word-of-mouth.
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Interest – The prospect thinks that the company can solve a problem and wants to learn more.
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Desire - The prospect then does their research and wants to convert.
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Action - The prospect takes action — they buy the offered item, schedule a demo, or take whatever other action the company wants them to take.
The web pages construct is schematised by a funnel since many prospects may begin the sales process at the first stage but only a fraction of potential customers will take action to buy the offered product or service. A funnel invariably leaks those potential leads. The goal of sales conversion rate optimisation is to fix the leaks in the funnel by redirecting customers to specific sales paths within the funnel based on their past actions and behaviours.
The type of sales funnel used will depend on the specific product or service offered, or the chosen business model. Of the estimated twenty plus different sales funnel business models, eight of the most common are as follows :-
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Opt-In Lead Generation Sales Funnel - A sales funnel that allows prospects to enter personal information via email in exchange for tangible value, information, on the offered product or service.
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Free-Plus-Shipping Sales Funnel - A sales funnel that is basically a type of loss-leader for future upselling of other profitable products or services.
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Self-Liquidating Offer Sales Funnel - A sales funnel that delivers an inexpensive entry-level purchase that typically covers its campaign costs.
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Continuity Sales Funnel - A membership sales funnel that typically provides the seller with recurring monthly income.
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Webinar Sales Funnel - A video-format sales funnel that makes the sales presentation feel personal to the viewing prospects.
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Product Launch Sales Funnel - This sales funnel is used to build anticipation for the product before the prospect is allowed to buy.
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Consultation Sales Funnel - This sales funnel is used for products or services that require a consultation with a prospect before purchase.
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High-Ticket Sales Funnel - This sales funnel is used for focusing on prospects that are a fit for higher-priced products or services.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Sales Funnel :-
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Buyer personas.
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Pay-per-click campaigns.
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Social media advertising.
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Sales page/s.
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Landing page/s.
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Opt-in page/s.
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Thank you page/s.
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Upsells.
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Clear calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Email sign-up.
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Email automation sequences.
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Blog posts.
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Case studies.
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Checklists.
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White papers.
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Guides.
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Demo videos.
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Consultation scheduling.
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Scrolling pop-ups.
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Exit pop-ups.
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Time based pop-ups.
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Reducing forms.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
6. E-Commerce Websites
An e-commerce website is one that allows the online buying and selling of physical items, digital products, services, and other types of merchandise.
A vast number of companies of all sizes, covering all types of industries, can benefit from their own unique e-commerce site. When compared to offline selling an e-commerce site offers a flexible solution for both buyers and sellers of goods and services.
In today's competitive and convenience-focused society, many consumers no longer wish to use the high street for their shopping needs, preferring instead to experience stress-free shopping from the comfort of their own homes.
From a seller's perspective an e-commerce site, when compared to offline selling, offers the following benefits :-
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Low start-up and running costs.
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Increased customer reach.
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Improved customer service and flexibility.
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Online and selling 24/365, no opening time restrictions.
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Less time-intensive to operate.
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Business is online, it is not location dependent.
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Easily scalable.
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Fewer overheads.
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Higher margins, increased profits, improved cashflow.
Essential And Optional Elements Of An E-Commerce Website :-
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User-friendly intuitive navigation throughout.
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Good quality product photography, excellent visuals.
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Bestseller products on homepage.
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Product collections, detailed product descriptions.
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Price filters.
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Ratings and reviews.
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Clear calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Fast efficient shopping cart and check-out.
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Personalisation, guest sign-ups/check-outs.
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Sharing option.
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Shipping information policy.
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Clearly marked returns and privacy policies.
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Inventory management.
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Order processing.
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Maintaining customer and order records.
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Handling returns with refunds, exchanges, or store credit.
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Holding promotional discount events.
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Sending automatic order status notifications.
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Accounting.
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Multi-currency options.
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Sales tax management.
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Good customer support, webchat.
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Social media and email marketing.
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Multi-language options.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Site speed optimised, fast-loading pages.
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Top-level site security and privacy.
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
7. Blogging Websites
A blog is a web log, an online journal where the owner presents information in reverse chronological order. It can be a section within a website or a standalone project.
Many organisations and businesses use blogs as part of their content marketing strategies to boost brand awareness and increase conversions. Blog content should demonstrate expertise, authority, and trustworthiness to the viewer.
There are seven types of common blogs :-
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Personal Blog – Online diary sharing opinions to a target audience or to sell an item.
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Niche Blog - Provides information on a particular topic e.g book blogs, food blogs, lifestyle blogs etc.
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Multimedia Blog/Vlog - A blog format but publishes multimedia content, such as videos and podcasts, instead of written posts, also referred to as a vlog.
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News Blog - Factual content about latest information and new releases in a specific industry.
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Company or Business Blog - Primary purpose is publishing content relevant to a company’s industry or updating the target market regarding any changes within its business. It may be a section on a company website or an independent site.
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Affiliate Blog – Commission based practice of promoting a third-party’s products and services.
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Reverse Blog/Group Blog - Multiple authors create blog posts on related topics.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Blogging Website :-
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Engaging headline.
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Compelling lead sentence or short paragraph.
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Logical site structure, formatting – sub-headings, bullet lists, small concise paragraphs.
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Informative, authorative, engaging body content, conversational writing style.
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Customised relevant visuals to simplify complex ideas.
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Sharing relevant quotes, resources, and tools.
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Sharing real-world examples, case studies, and data.
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Relevant internal and external links.
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Compelling calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Social sharing/Follow buttons.
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Comments section.
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Related posts.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
8. Portfolio Websites
A portfolio website provides professional information about an individual or a company, and presents it as a showcase of their work for potential clients or employers.
An online portfolio is becoming increasingly popular for artists, engineers, computer scientists, photographers, designers, filmmakers, and other creative people to showcase and promote their work. It is a unique way for them to visually demonstrate and share their professional work, personal branding, and talents in the online space.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Portfolio Website :-
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Customised/Personalised domain name.
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Functional Layout.
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Clear Navigation.
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Engaging About/Bio page.
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Contact page.
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Professional design.
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Portfolio – selective work, well-organised and presented.
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Client-focused content.
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Specialities and services offered.
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Case studies.
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Testimonials and reviews.
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Social media accounts integration.
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Multiple calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Blog.
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Quantifiable achievements.
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Awards/Other types of recognition.
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Relevant education, coursework, and certificates.
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Links to guest writing or features.
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Cheat-sheets/Guides/Tutorials.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) section.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
9. Personal Websites
Personal websites, which can also include blog and portfolio websites, are created by individuals to contain content of a personal nature rather than content pertaining to a company, organisation, or institution.
These sites are primarily used for informative or entertainment purposes but can also be used for personal career marketing (by containing a list of the individual's skills, and experience, as an online resume/CV), social networking with other people with shared interests, or as a space for personal expression.
Personal websites and can be customised to create :-
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Personal Resume Websites.
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Personal Portfolios.
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Personal Blogs.
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Personal Demo Websites.
A personal website, which can be continuously updated, can play a key role in positioning someone as a qualified expert in their field and reinforcing their personal brand. It can also be an ideal networking tool to expand their online reach.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Personal Website :-
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Customised/Personalised domain name.
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Clear layout and user-friendly navigation.
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Professional headshot photo.
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Engaging About/Bio page.
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Welcome page.
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Mission statement/Personal summary.
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Contact page.
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Portfolio/Samples of work.
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Photo/Branded photo/Media gallery.
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Blog.
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Testimonials/Other social proof.
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Multiple calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Social media links.
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Events calendar.
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Newsletter sign-up.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
10. Educational Websites
Educational websites are one of the most challenging types of website to design and deploy. They must address the specific needs of students, prospective students, faculties, administrators, graduates, alumni, and academics. Unlike websites of other large organisatons these user groups have few overlapping needs. An educational website must therefore serve a plethora of functions.
There are several types of educational websites and platforms :-
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University/College/School Websites.
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Elearning Platforms.
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Learning Management Systems.
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Language Learning Websites.
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Educational Video Websites.
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How-To Websites.
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Science Websites.
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Digital Libraries.
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OpenCourseWare.
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Web Documentaries.
Essential And Optional Elements Of An Educational Website :-
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Brand and visual consistency.
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Clear concise navigation.
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About section.
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Contact section.
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Academic and admission.
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Curriculum details.
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Multi-language support.
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Integrated application system.
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Content modules with structured content.
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Classroom management.
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Customisation and personalisation capabilities.
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Dashboards.
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Filtering and sorting.
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Special learning features – e.g. live streaming etc..
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Gamification – e.g. progress bars etc..
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Robust search function.
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Sign-up and profiles.
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Student information system.
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Calendars.
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Events and notices.
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Real time alerts/Notifications.
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Social media integration.
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Staff directory/ Teacher profiles.
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Student support.
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Payment gateways.
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Webchat.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
11. Media/Entertainment Websites
Media/Entertainment websites are sites devoted to delivering the news in a different format than television, print or radio. News sites include sites that have a large variety of information which may not be considered 'news' by all audiences, but may include entertainment, games, or news that may not be current but is interesting, or other miscellaneous information.
Another type of media site is the site that is completely devoted to news. These sites may include all types of news such as political, judicial, entertainment, sports or more.
A good online media/entertainment portal must be impressive, creative, user-friendly, and content-rich in design.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Media/Entertainment Website :-
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Intuitive and consistent navigation.
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Grid-based design or multi-column layout.
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Advertisement space/White space maximisation.
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Advanced content management system (CMS).
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Customisable templates.
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Newsroom planning.
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Editorial permissions and publishing controls.
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Content organisation.
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Digital storytelling formats.
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Image optimisation.
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Social media embeds.
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In-editor preview.
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Versioning.
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Detailed analytics.
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Personalisation options.
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Commenting tool.
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Multi-language support.
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Social share.
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Support for voice-search.
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Monetisation plans.
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Multi-domain capabilities.
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Top-level security.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
12. Non-Profit Websites
Non-profit websites are platforms to convince people to support a worthy cause and to generate income from potential patrons.
Non-profits succeed or fail on the strength of their ability to communicate their message and build an audience. A non-profit website plays a key role in helping an organisation achieve both of those goals by engaging with potential donors and encouraging them to support the organisation.
A non-profit website should serve four main purposes :-
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Establish a trustworthy brand image.
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Showcase work and success stories.
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Build a community and connect people united to the cause.
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Encourage donations and support.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Non-Profit Website :-
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Simplified navigation.
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About page.
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Contact page.
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Mission statement.
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Value propositions.
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Advanced content management system (CMS).
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Advanced site management and reporting tools.
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Simplified sign-up and application process.
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Intro video/hero beneficiary image.
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Compelling imagery throughout the site.
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Overview of programmes.
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Powerful account and money management.
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Advanced platform backend and project management.
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Advanced site management and reporting tools.
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Blog.
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Message board.
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Forums.
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Testimonials/Other social proof.
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Case studies/Success stories.
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Resources.
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Multiple calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Social media links.
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Events calendar.
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Donation gateways.
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Security and support.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
13. Crowdfunding Websites
Crowdfunding is the practice of collecting money from multiple individuals or sources in order to finance a new project. A crowdfunding platform is an online portal that facilitates the advertising, collection, allocation, and monitoring of the money raised.
Large groups of people pool together small individual investments to provide the capital needed to get a company or project off the ground. Individuals, charities, or companies can create a campaign for specific causes and anyone can contribute.
Often, crowdfunders turn to social media to share their platform or idea with the purpose of inspiring others to contribute to the crowdfunding campaign.
The main types of crowdfunding are :-
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Reward - Entrepreneurs selling or producing client-facing products.
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Donation – A 'good cause' fund for non-profits, charities etc.
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Peer-to-peer – A single-fund investment which then lends to borrowers.
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Property – Funds are used to buy properties or loaned to property developers.
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Equity – Share participation in a business or startup.
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Royalty – Investors in businesses or startups share a percentage of profits.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Crowdfunding Website :-
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Simplified navigation.
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About page.
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Contact page.
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Mission statement.
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Value proposition.
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Advanced content management system (CMS).
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Simplified sign-up and application process.
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Compelling imagery throughout the site.
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Powerful account and money management.
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Advanced platform backend and project management tools.
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Advanced site management and reporting tools.
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Message board.
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Blog.
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Multiple calls-to-action (CTA's).
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Social media links.
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Testimonials.
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Donation gateways.
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Security and support.
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Mobile optimised.
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Search engine optimised (SEO).
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
14. Web Portals
Modern web portals are high-traffic websites with content management, collaboration, and content search personalisation features.
It is a feature-rich web system, often requiring authorised access, that provides a certain target audience (customers, employees, vendors, etc.) with specific and often personalised content and services.
A web portal is usually seamlessly embedded into a company’s operations and integrated with other business applications such as customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning tools.
There are, at least, eight types of web portals :-
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Business-to-Business eCommerce (B2B) – Self-service vendor and partner portal.
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Business-to-Consumer eCommerce (B2C) – Feature rich portals for consumers.
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Banking – B2B and B2C portals for financial transactions.
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Employee – Business-to-employee solutions for workflow management.
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eHealth – Doctor and patient web portals.
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Educational – Student and academic portals.
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Community – Communication and collaboration portals.
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Public Services – Government and public service portals.
Essential And Optional Elements Of A Web Portal :-
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Interactive homepage.
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User registration/Login.
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Profile and activity dashboard.
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Advanced content management system (CMS).
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User personalisation.
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Customisation options.
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Self-service tools.
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Tracking tools.
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Search function.
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Communication/Collaboration features.
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Interactive reports and analyses.
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News feeds.
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Bulletin boards.
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Social media links.
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Security and support.
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Mobile optimised.
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Security certificate.
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Analytics integration.
Takeaway
Good web design is essential because bad or inferior design will invariably lead to the loss of visitors and a loss of business. Research has shown that poor design is associated with rapid rejection and mistrust of a website. If visitors do not like an aspect of the design, the whole website is rarely explored beyond a cursory glance at the homepage.
In general, a good website layout has to satisfy the basic elements of good page design. In order to create a well-designed site for a specific audience good page design should include good colour contrast, text organisation, font selection, and appropriate visuals and graphics. It is very important that the user interface should engage and enhance the user experience, and it is essential that the styling and content of a page should give consistency and balance.
Although it may pose difficulties to create a design that is well-suited to all users, there will be designs that are appropriate for most businesses and their audience. It must be stressed that potential customers have expectations of what a website should look like. Diverting from those is a risk, no matter how imaginative or striking the design.