Having a social media presence for your business is important, but having a website is also a critical way to connect with potential customers. That’s why it’s ley to understand the different types of business websites you can choose from.
Business website examples: 9 different types of websites to consider
Whether you’re launching a new venture, solidifying a side hustle into a more formal business, or scaling an existing business and taking it in a new direction, creating a website is an important step.
But what type of website is right for your business? The answer depends on what your business does, how you make money, and what your goals are for the website. Here are nine website types to choose from.
1. eCommerce site/online store
An online store is an appropriate website for your business if your sell products (or plan to) and want your customers to be able to shop for them 24/7. An online store, like an online boutique or other retail store, provides a way for you to connect with customers and list inventory for purchase. Even if you only sell products online, you’ll still need an online store in place.
You can set up an online store through a provider like Shopify or Square. If you want to keep costs low and control your own site, choose one of these options.
2. Portfolio
If you sell services – especially creative services – you can use a portfolio to show off your work and share information on how interested parties can get in touch with you. In fact, it should be one of your first action items when setting up your business.
A portfolio site isn’t just for designers, it can be a useful tool to share all sorts of information about your business, including:
- A video about what your business does and why it’s different or better than others like it.
- Information on the staff members who work at the company (and their bios).
- A list of clients and case studies from projects you’ve worked on in the past.
3. Booking website
An online booking website enables you to easily take customer appointments through digital channels. Offering a booking website or a “book now” button on your online store page can supplement or replace your process for taking appointments in-person or via phone. You can use a booking website to accept or decline appointments and block out personal time so your availability is always up to date.
4. Website for a blog
Blogs are a common feature of many online businesses and are a great way to run your business, connect with customers, and share information that can help your customers. Start a blog to focus on sharing tips or advice, telling stories, or running a news site that covers changes in the industry you work in. It can also be a great place to post pictures from events (if you’re in the entertainment industry for example) or even show off your personal projects if you’re working on something artistic.
Blogs are a natural choice for freelance writers, photographers, and artists as a way to share your work with potential customers, as well as provide updates on how you’re doing as an independent business. For creative professionals or people working in the media/journalism industry, a blog can be a great way to engage an audience.
5.Landing page or lead generation site
A landing page is appropriate for your business if you want site viewers to take a targeted action such as signing up for a free trial, registering for a newsletter, or contacting you for more information. A landing page also called a single-page website, is designed to drive traffic to one specific action or way of contacting you.
For example, a web design firm might create a website with a landing page that contains information about the services the company offers and how you can sign up for a free consultation. A dentist might have information about the different types of services offered by the practice as well as the forms that need to be filled out in order to schedule an appointment with the dentist.
6. Event website
Want to get attendees for an upcoming event, like a concert or fundraiser? Use an event website to showcase detailed information about your events – such as the location, venue, and agenda – and enable customers to register to attend and pay for tickets. Remember that an event website is also an appropriate choice if you run a business that has its own events (such as a concert venue or an art gallery) – in this case, a site like Eventbrite can help you manage the details of hosting or promoting your events.
7. Media website
If you’re starting a magazine, online news site, or other publication – or are otherwise looking to share collections of articles or videos – a media website is the place to do it. You can use a media website to curate content from other sources and have the articles or videos available for visitors to read or watch.
8. Directory
If you’re running an association or your business centers on funneling leads to other businesses, you might build a directory to provide a searchable repository of the people or companies you want site viewers to browse, visit, or purchase from.
9. Online forum
Looking to bring people together to parse out ideas? An online forum is a type of website where people can ask questions or hold conversations by posting messages. Groups that use online forums may be interested in finding solutions to specific problems or curiosities. These sites are especially popular among people who work in creative industries and anyone else looking to connect with like-minded individuals.
Some of the most successful forum websites are based on niche topics and attract millions of readers from the communities they serve. If you’re looking to start an online forum, think about how you could build a website around a topic that your customers would be interested in.
Choosing the right type of website for your business
By incorporating forums into online stores, you can combine multiple types of websites – by including a blog section on your portfolio, for example, or by adding a directory of sponsors to your event website. You can use these website example ideas to get started designing your own website. It can be a great way to connect with your target audience, build trust, and boost sales and conversions.
Follow the advice on how to build websites for your business and you’ll be well on your way to having an active hub online where you can share industry information, make appointments, or showcase the work you do.
Interested in reading more about websites? Launching a Website – Five Pitfalls to Avoid is a great place to start if you are thinking about starting a website for your business.
If you would like to discuss Your Logo with Mojoe.net or your website’s analytics, custom logo designs, social media, website, web application, need custom programming, or IT consultant, please do not hesitate to call us at 864-859-9848 or you can email us at dwerne@mojoe.net.
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