What are the Different Types of Websites?

From simple personal blogs to complex ecommerce platforms, each type of website serves a unique purpose and needs specific features and functionality. Choosing the right or wrong type of website will directly affect your user experience, costs, and, ultimately, the success of your online venture.

Understanding the wide range of website types is the first step to building a new online presence. This guide breaks down the 10 main types of websites, explains who they’re for, and recommends the best ways to build them. We’ll even touch on how much a website costs and design considerations to help you create the perfect site for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• There are various types of websites, each serving different purposes—from blogs and corporate sites to ecommerce platforms and educational resources.
• Website builders like Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace offer user-friendly solutions for creating many types of websites without coding knowledge.
• For more complex or unique sites, working with a web designer may be necessary.
• When planning your website, factor in ongoing costs such as hosting, maintenance, and potential updates.
• Keep your site updated with fresh content and current design trends to maintain relevance and effectiveness.

10 Types of Websites To Consider

There are more than 1.1 billion websites on the web, but they mostly fall into a handful of common categories. Let’s explore them below.

1. Blog website

You’ve likely come across blogs in your browsing experience, but for those who aren’t familiar, they’re online journals or informational pages that are regularly updated.

Typically managed by an individual or a small group, a blog can cover any topic—be it travel tips, financial advice, or doughnut reviews. Blogs are often written in an informal or conversational style, and many bloggers make money with a blog through advertising, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing.

How to build a blog

For your first blog, we recommend trying Wix. It’s the most user-friendly platform we’ve tested, making it really easy to build a stylish blog.

To get started, choose a template that matches your blog’s theme—whether it’s travel, food, or personal musings. Don’t worry about perfection; you can always tweak it later. Focus on creating an eye-catching header and an ‘about me’ section to connect with your readers.

Next, plan your content strategy. Aim to post consistently, even if it’s just once a week. You can use Wix’s built-in search engine optimisation (SEO) tools to make your posts more discoverable. A solid SEO strategy can help your blog attract more readers and rank higher in search results. Don’t forget to add social sharing buttons to help spread your content.

Blogging is about finding your voice. Experiment with different post formats, such as listicles, how-tos, or personal stories, to see what resonates with your audience. And don’t be shy about engaging with your readers in the comments section. Building a community takes time, but it’s worth the effort!

2. Corporate website

Corporate sites provide information about your business and let potential clients or customers know how they can get in touch with you.

You’ll need several pages on your corporate site, including an ‘about us’ page where you explain your company’s story. Consider including an FAQ section to address basic questions your website visitors may have. Then, provide descriptions of your products or services alongside happy client testimonials to convince readers that your business is the best.

How to build a corporate site

When setting up a business website, we recommend collaborating with a web design agency to define exactly how your business site looks and works. The scope of corporate sites varies hugely, and you may not find everything you need in a drag-and-drop DIY editor. So, to get the right aesthetics and functionality, hiring a web design professional is a must.

To make it easier for you, we offer a bespoke tool that matches you with web design companies based on your specific website needs.

Most importantly, your corporate site should align with your business mission and effectively communicate your company’s value proposition. Start by clearly defining your goals. What do you want visitors to do on your site? Book a consultation? Download a brochure? Make sure your designer understands these objectives.

Provide a detailed brief, including your brand guidelines, target audience, and any must-have features. Consider functionality like a careers page, investor relations section, or a blog for company news.

Don’t skimp on content. Invest time crafting compelling copy that tells your company’s story and highlights your unique selling points. High-quality images and videos can also make a big impact.

A corporate site is often a potential client’s first impression of your business. Make sure it’s polished, professional, and easy to navigate. Regular updates keep your site fresh and show your business is active and thriving.

3. Ecommerce website

An ecommerce site, otherwise known as an online shop, allows you to sell products or services via the internet. Whether you’re selling physical goods or digital products, an ecommerce website can help you reach a wider audience. Your webshop can function as a standalone website or tag onto another type of website.

How to build an ecommerce site

If you’re looking to host and build an ecommerce site yourself or have a professional build it for you, we recommend the reliable hosting of Bluehost combined with the powerful selling features of WooCommerce.

This is a great option if you’re looking to create something truly unique (not limited by web builder templates) or if you want a store that’s big or at least easily scalable. WooCommerce allows for unlimited listing, and Bluehost’s hosting will reliably handle inventories of any size.

For the easy option requiring absolutely no coding or professional web design help, we recommend trying Shopify’s three-day free trial.

To kickstart your online shop, first decide on your product range and pricing strategy. Take high-quality photos of your products—they’re vital for online sales. Write clear, enticing product descriptions that highlight benefits and features.

Set up your payment gateway. Offer multiple payment options to cater to different customer preferences. Don’t forget to sort out your shipping strategy—be transparent about costs and delivery times.

Invest time in creating a user-friendly navigation system, too. Categorise your products logically and include a search function. Consider adding customer reviews to showcase your reputation and influence sales.

Implement analytics to understand shopping behaviours and optimise your site accordingly. Always prioritise security to protect your customers’ data—it’s important for building trust in online retail.

4. Portfolio website

A portfolio displays examples of creative work. Primarily used by artists and photographers, a portfolio website is an excellent platform to showcase your creative brand design and attract and impress potential clients, customers, or future employers.

How to build a portfolio website

We recommend using Squarespace to build a beautiful portfolio that helps your work stand out. Squarespace places emphasis on design and has the most stylish templates of any platform we tested, letting you create a professional-looking site in a matter of hours.

Better yet, Expert Market readers can save 10% on Squarespace subscriptions by adding the code EM10 at checkout.

Start by choosing a template that complements your work. The design should enhance, not overshadow, your portfolio pieces. Organise your work into clear categories—this helps visitors navigate your site easily.

When showcasing your work, less is often more. Your portfolio should highlight your creative design skills and unique style. Choose your best pieces rather than including everything you’ve ever created. For each piece, provide context: explain the brief, your process, and the outcome. This gives visitors insight into your working style.

For each design project, provide context and explain the challenges you overcame. Use your portfolio to highlight your design process and problem-solving skills.

Don’t forget to include a compelling ‘about me’ page. This is your chance to tell your story and explain what makes you unique. Include a professional photo to help potential clients connect with you.

Ensure your contact information is easy to find—you don’t want to miss out on opportunities because a potential client couldn’t reach you. Consider adding a blog to share your thoughts on your industry, which can help establish you as an expert in your field.

Finally, stay updated with the latest trends in the web design industry to keep your portfolio fresh and relevant.

5. Landing page

A landing page is a single webpage with a clear focus. The page has just one goal—either to convert sales on a product, collect user data, or gain signatures for a campaign. Landing pages have a clean and simple design to avoid distracting users from the target action.

A web user reaches a landing page after scanning a QR code, clicking on a paid advert, or following a link from social media, to name a few examples. As you can see from the Salesforce landing page below, the persuasive call to action (CTA) is very clear. The phrase ‘watch the demo’ is repeated in the headings and on the blue button at the end of the form.

A well-designed landing page can significantly improve conversion rates, turning visitors into customers or leads.

How to create a landing page

A website builder like Weebly is great for a landing page. However, just remember to keep the design simple and uncluttered.

Start with a clear, compelling headline that immediately communicates your value proposition. Follow this with a subheading that provides more details about your offer.

Use high-quality, relevant images or videos to capture attention and illustrate your product or service. But be careful not to overdo it—too many visuals can be distracting.

Your wording should be concise and focused on benefits, not just features. Use bullet points to make key information easy to scan. Include social proof like testimonials or client logos to build trust.

The most important element is your CTA, where you implore the reader to take action, such as making a purchase or signing up for an account. Ensure your CTA stands out with contrasting colours and clear, action-oriented text. Place your CTA above the fold and repeat it further down the page for those who need more convincing.

Run A/B testing for different elements of your page (i.e., try different versions) to see what resonates best with your audience. This could include testing different headlines, images, or CTA button colours. A landing page is never truly finished—there’s always room for optimisation based on performance data.

6. Crowdfunding website

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from various people. These types of websites are becoming a go-to resource for new startups.

In the past, the only way to fund a new business venture was to seek large investments from venture capitalists (think Dragon’s Den). But these days, you can easily build a crowdfunding site—you just need to create a pitch video for your project and then set a target amount and deadline.

Web users who believe in what you’re working on will pledge an amount of money to your cause. You can also offer incentives in exchange for donations, such as discounted products or VIP experiences.

How to build a crowdfunding page

It’s easy enough to create a crowdfunding page with Wix. Remember that you should be transparent about how and where the money collected will be used, and we recommend that you seek legal advice for absolutely anything you’re not 100% sure of.

You may, however, wish to go through an existing crowdfunding platform such as JustGiving or GoFundMe, as these are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your page may benefit from additional marketing through the main platform’s internal promotions.

Start with a compelling story. Explain why your project matters and how it will make a difference. Use a mix of text, images, and video to bring your story to life.

Set a realistic funding goal and timeline. Break down how you’ll use the funds to show transparency and build trust. Offer attractive rewards at different donation levels to incentivise contributions.

Create a strong marketing plan to promote your campaign. Use social media, email, and personal networks to spread the word. Consider creating updates throughout the campaign to keep donors engaged and attract new supporters. You may want to outsource your marketing tasks by using digital marketing services.

Crowdfunding is as much about community building as it is about raising money. Engage with your backers, answer questions promptly, and show appreciation for every contribution, no matter how small.

7. Online magazine

With the decline of print media, many publications have found new homes online, so there’s no reason you can’t be successful in finding your own reader base on the web. You should select a particular audience and aim all your content at them, including imagery, articles, and tone of voice. If you always keep that target reader in mind, you can’t go far wrong.

To monetise the site, consider setting up your online magazine to have a paywall after a web visitor reads a certain number of articles per month or include banner ads and affiliate links within your content.

How to build an online magazine

If you’re looking to build an online publication, then you can’t really go wrong with Wix’s templates (there are more than 900 to choose from).

You can even install the News Page app to your business website, which will automatically feed and update your website with relevant news articles. And better still, with paid plans starting from just £7.50 per month, Wix won’t cost you the earth.

Choose a clean, easy-to-read layout that puts your content front and centre. Organise it into clear categories and use tags to make articles easily discoverable. Offer a search function to help readers find specific topics.

Consider a mix of content types—long-form articles, short news pieces, opinion columns, and multimedia content like videos or podcasts. This variety keeps readers engaged and caters to different preferences.

Set up an editorial calendar to ensure consistent publishing, and use Wix’s blogging tools to schedule posts in advance. Don’t forget to use the platform’s built-in SEO features to optimise your content and improve your visibility in search results.

Building a successful online magazine takes time. By focusing on consistently delivering quality content, your audience will grow. Encourage reader engagement by enabling comments and sharing buttons, and consider implementing a newsletter signup to build a loyal readership.

8. Video streaming website

Netflix, along with similar sites like NowTV, has revolutionised the way the world watches television. These video streaming sites have seen their popularity soar in recent years, with catch-up sites like BBC iPlayer and All 4 representing more traditional examples of this particular website type.

Certain platforms like YouTube and Vimeo offer video hosting for a range of uses, such as corporate comms, product marketing, and vlogs. If you wish to set up a dedicated site to stream video content, bear in mind that you’ll need a significant amount of bandwidth.

How to build a video streaming site

Plans such as Wix’s Business Elite offer unlimited video hours—essential if you’re keen to set up your own streaming site.

Start by checking if your hosting can handle large video files and high traffic. Add features like playlists, favourites, and ‘continue watching’ to enhance user experience.

Ensure your video player is responsive and works well on various devices and screen sizes. Include options for adjusting video quality to cater to different internet speeds.

Think about how you’ll monetise your site. Will you use a subscription model, pay-per-view, or ad-supported streaming? Be sure to implement secure payment gateways if you’re charging for content.

Don’t forget about content management, either. Set up systems for regular uploads, content curation, and maybe even user-generated content if that fits your model. Use analytics to track viewer behaviour and popular content, and then use these insights to inform your content strategy.

9. Educational website

The UK online education market is exploding in popularity and is expected to have a revenue growth rate of 5.69% annually until 2029, so there’s a huge market to tap into.

Educational platforms can take the form of web widgets, mobile apps, e-learning portals, videos, quizzes, games, and even online tutoring services. Websites lend themselves perfectly to the interactive nature of education, so why not bring your teaching vision to life with an e-learning site?

How to build an educational platform

Chances are you want to create something quite specialist here, so we’d recommend staying away from the DIY website builders. Instead, let us match you with a design team that will tailor a creation exactly the way you like.

Work with your web designer to create an intuitive user interface that supports various learning styles. Consider implementing features such as progress tracking, quizzes, and certificates to motivate learners.

Ensure your platform is mobile-responsive since many learners prefer studying on the go. Implement a robust content management system that allows easy updates and additions to your course material.

Think about how you’ll deliver content—will you use video lectures, interactive modules, downloadable resources, or a combination? Consider incorporating social learning elements like discussion forums or group projects.

Don’t forget about assessment and feedback mechanisms. These could include automated quizzes, peer reviews, or instructor grading systems.

10. Wiki or knowledge hub

A ‘wiki’ has become shorthand for a type of online encyclopedia where web users can find information on certain topics. Often, the content is collaboratively written by more than one author. The most popular example is Wikipedia itself, which allows anyone to amend, delete, or add to each article.

A wiki is different from a blog or online magazine because the articles seek to document phenomena factually rather than offer stories and opinions. For this reason, it’s common practice for authors to include citations within the text to show their information sources.

How to build a wiki site

Since this is a very simple type of website, you should get along just fine with a DIY website builder. We suggest checking out GoDaddy. Its easy-to-edit templates will enable you to start assembling your information database straightaway.

Set up a clear, hierarchical structure for your content. Use categories, subcategories, and tags to make information easy to find. Be sure to add a search function.

Consider how you’ll handle user contributions if you plan on a collaborative wiki. Set up clear guidelines for content creation and editing and implement a system for reviewing and approving changes.

Think about the formatting of your articles. Use a consistent style guide to ensure all entries look professional and are easy to read. Include options for adding images, tables, and links to enhance your content.

Don’t forget about version control. Keep track of changes and allow users to view article history. This helps maintain transparency and allows for easy reverting if incorrect information is added.

Remember, a wiki is an evolving resource. Regularly review and update your content to ensure it remains accurate and relevant. Encourage user engagement by highlighting new or popular articles on your homepage.

The Different Types of Web Design Explained

Now that you understand the different types of websites and the first steps to building them let’s look at the different ways a website can be built, including the development process and the pros and cons.

Static web design

Imagine a poster on a wall. It’s there, it looks nice, but it doesn’t change. That’s essentially what a static website is. These sites are built using HTML and CSS, two relatively simple markup languages. Static sites remain the same until someone manually updates them.

Static websites are straightforward to create and maintain. They’re perfect if you need a simple online presence without bells and whistles—like a small local bakery that just wants to show its menu and opening hours. The downside is they can be a bit dull and aren’t great for sites that need frequent updates.

Best for: Small businesses with infrequently changing content, such as local shops, restaurants, or professional services.

Dynamic web design

Dynamic websites use databases and programming languages like PHP or JavaScript to generate content on the fly.

Dynamic websites are interactive and can change based on user input or other factors. They’re great for sites that need regular updates or personalised content. Think of a news website that shows different articles based on what you’ve read before.

The catch? They’re more complex to build and maintain. They also need more powerful hosting, which can make them pricier.

Best for: Content-heavy websites that require frequent updates, user interactions, or personalised experiences, such as ecommerce sites, social networks, or news portals.

Responsive web design

Have you ever tried to read a website on your phone, only to find yourself constantly needing to zoom in and out? Frustrating, isn’t it? In fact, 73% of people say this is one of the main reasons they leave a website and go elsewhere.

Responsive web design adapts to fit whatever screen it’s viewed on. It uses flexible layouts, images, and CSS to create a site that looks good on any device. With more people browsing on mobile devices than ever before, responsive design is essential. Luckily, website builders like Wix offer mobile-ready themes, so you don’t need to worry about optimising your website.

Best for: Any modern website that wants to provide an optimal viewing experience across all devices, particularly those with a significant mobile audience, such as blogs, portfolios, or multi-purpose business sites.

Adaptive web design

Adaptive design is like responsive design’s cousin. Instead of fluidly changing, it detects the device type and loads a preset layout for that device. It’s like having different outfits for different occasions rather than one that magically changes shape.

This approach can offer more control over your site’s appearance on different devices. However, it requires creating and maintaining multiple layouts, which can be time-consuming.

Best for: Websites that need precise control over the user experience on specific devices, such as complex web applications or banking sites.

Single page design

Imagine reading a long scroll instead of flipping through a book. That’s the essence of single-page design. Everything is on one long page, with navigation usually jumping to different sections rather than loading new pages.

This design is great for telling a story or guiding users through a specific journey. It’s popular for portfolio sites or product launches. However, it can be tricky to organise lots of diverse content this way.

Best for: Websites with a focused purpose or narrative, such as product launches, event landing pages, personal portfolios, or simple business sites that want to guide users through a specific journey or story.