Our entire online world is made up of websites. Although they can be used by virtually every business, is there an underlying purpose that makes them so useful?

The main purpose of a website is to convey useful, organized information about a specific topic or subject. There are many different kinds of websites, from educational websites to corporate websites. Each of these contains different types of information and is run in different ways.

There are hundreds of different kinds of websites, with more being created every day. Here are a few different websites and the purposes behind them.

What the People are Saying

 

Before getting into it, let’s talk about what websites are used for in general. To get an idea of the public’s opinion, I  took 4 polls on Instagram about what the purpose of a website is.

The first poll found that 100% of the participants thought websites were used for gathering and sharing information and 0% said websites were used for advertising products. The second poll reported 50% of participants saying websites were used for buying/selling, and 50% said websites were used for teaching. The third poll reported that 100% of the participants thought websites were used for communication and 0% voted for teaching. The fourth and final poll reported 100% of users voting for communication and 0% voting for advertising.

The results of these polls have given us at least 4 major reasons that everybody uses websites now. They are used primarily to gather and share information, to educate and advertise schooling programs, to do online business (eCommerce, etc.), and for wide communications.

Websites are meant to be shared with thousands, even millions of people, for each of the reasons above. Websites are progressing the world we live in and are giving us access to many things, whether that be information, products, or even people (dating apps, social media, etc.). These purposes are all divided among different types of websites. Let’s go over a few of the most common and popular website types.

eCommerce Sites

 

eCommerce means the electronic selling and purchasing of products. This is the sole purpose of eCommerce websites. A few popular ones include Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc. eCommerce sites are not only popular but extremely convenient. Not only can people buy things from the comfort of their own homes, but they can sell as well. All this can be done from a PC or even a mobile phone anywhere you are!

Additionally, anybody can buy things from anywhere in the world, which is something that used to be just a sci-fi dream. eCommerce is a fast, easy way to get what you want; thus, people are far more willing to shop online because they do not have to wait long to place orders. Online stores are open 24/7, all year round, which means shopping whenever and wherever is most convenient for them.

Online business is also easier to advertise because of search engines and social media platforms. Working with SEO (search engine optimization) services providers can give you an idea of how and where your target market is online the most, giving your website exposure to potential customers. Similarly, social media platforms allow you to interact with customers on a more personal level. You can learn what they think of your product through reviews and feedback. Plus, social media is a great advertiser!

eCommerce is overall a less risky, more convenient way to do business. You will likely need a smaller workforce and a smaller building, which reduces overhead costs and the risk of shoplifting. This also means you do not have to worry as much about things like building rent, damaged goods, utility bills, or rogue employees. Also, let us not forget those who may not have time to shop physically, whether they are working, at school, living in harsh weather conditions, or in a wheelchair. Online shopping is an easy, affordable, and convenient way to get what you need.

Business Websites

 

 

Most businesses, even if they aren’t exclusively online, have websites nowadays. This is where people can apply for jobs, read more about the company, and sometimes make investments or purchases. Business sites are also usually the place where employees and customers can interact.

Customers can ask questions, get price and product quotes, and lodge complaints or suggestions. It is also a way for a business to expand its influence. It can reach a wider range of people through the online channel and gather larger followings. Having a website helps a business to appear to customers as thrifty, friendly, helpful, and credible.

Another common form of a business site is the business directory. Not only are directories great lists of useful resources, but they prevent people from having to find the business they are looking for through a phone book. Business directories include the business’s location, contact information, and they also contain search engines for different topics and industries (keep in mind you can also advertise and sell your own merchandise online through eBay, etc.).

Using catalogs and brochures online is another great way to promote business. These are typically used by businesses that do not require online payment, such as a dental office or a hair salon.

Blogs and Personal Webpages

 

The nice thing about blogs and personal web pages is that both of them are diverse and can be used in a variety of ways. Blogs, for instance, are a great way to chronicle the happenings in your life. You can document big events like important birthdays, academics, graduations, parties, weddings, anniversaries, or any other important life experience. They can also be used for personal expression, entertainment, or social networking with people who have similar interests.

Blogs and personal pages are also great ways to advertise your skills and experience or to create a career market for yourself. Many small businesses start up from blogs or personal websites. As mentioned before, cyberspace is where most people spend half their lives in the modern age. Online channels can have incredible influence if used properly.

It’s the same story with social media sites. You can document events and keep in touch with other people. It allows you to have more personal online relationships with people, whether you’re making friends, using a dating app, or are a professional trying to get feedback about your business’s products.

There are really no limits to what you can do on a social media platform. This is easily the most popular means of communication, business, and connection that people use today. There are also bio pages that are most often used by authors and writers. They can advertise their work and their accomplishments and skills. This is also a great way to access their personal blogs and social media pages where you can learn more about them.

Entertainment Sites

 

Entertainment sites are another popular online venture that is widely used. A few of the best-known entertainment sites include Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, HBO, IMDB, Hotstar.com, Plex, Vimeo, Xfinity, and pretty much any other streaming platform you can think of.

Entertainment sites are used for exactly that: to entertain! Though they are not strictly entertainment-oriented, news channel sites can fit into the entertainment category as well. Anywhere you can find movies, videos, slideshows, or podcasts can be considered an entertainment site.

Entertainment sites are typically designed to be visually pleasing and have consistent updates to keep users coming back for the latest and greatest (information, shows, etc.). They are very user-friendly and easy to navigate, which adds to the fun, entertaining element. They are typically more interactive than other sites because millions of people visit and use them daily. For the same reason, entertainment sites are also great places for businesses to advertise. With millions of eyes perusing this content daily, businesses are more than likely to score a few hits.

Online Communities

 

Online communities could include things like forums, public calendars, and things of a similar nature (communities can be the central part of the website or just a feature). Forums especially are helpful. People who are having problems or questions can add threads to a forum. This allows them to interact with and get advice from people in a similar situation.

For example, a young mom might be wondering what type of educational program she needs to enroll her child in. She might have considered the Montessori method but wasn’t sure if it would give her child what they needed. She could get onto a forum and ask what other Montessori parents have thought, and their help could positively influence her decision. Online communities are a great way to ask questions and interact with people who share your interests and skills.

Non-Profit Organizations

 

Like businesses, non-profit organizations (which are mostly informational) can use websites to expand their reach and influence and create larger followings. Going online will help them to gain support and additional business. Some of the best-known online non-profit organizations include the American Red Cross, St. Jude, Feeding America, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, ACLU, The Smithsonian Institution, O.U.R, and thousands of others. Every one of these foundations has a website where people can learn about the cause, make donations to the cause, or even become involved.

Educational Sites

 

Educational websites can be anything from an online schooling program to a website about a high school or university. College websites, for example, are where students can find their class schedules, reserve any necessary textbooks, register, sign up for events, get the school’s notifications, and receive emails that are news-related or class-related.

There are also online educational programs such as Williamsburg Academy that have an entire, all-online program with classes and student events. There are also tools and student resources available on most educational websites that are designed to assist students with classes and give them access to tutors and mentors. Helping students use these websites can help make gaining an education seem fun and less daunting than it might feel otherwise.

Informational Sites

 

Possibly the most common website of all, informational sites are designed to do exactly that: give information. In today’s modern world, you will probably find that your first instinct is to jump onto Google when you have a question. Once you have hit enter, thousands of results, answers, and resources pop up, and you have instant access to all of them.

Informational websites are designed to answer questions, provide lists and recommendations, offer solutions, hacks, and tips, etc. People find 90 percent of everything online in today’s age. Tutorials, recipes, and products are all available to anybody with access to the internet. Informational websites are meant to help users find answers to questions and to understand a variety of topics better than they might have before. You no longer have to visit the library when you have a question– now you can find thousands of answers at the click of a button.

Building a Website

 

Now that we have covered the most common websites that make up our online world, you might be wondering whether you can create a website of your own. The answer is definitely yes! There are websites about how to build websites, so you don’t need to worry about doing it alone. There are dozens of web designers out there like WIX, Dreamweaver, Squarespace, and many others that are ready to offer their services. Here are a couple of steps you can follow if you are interested in web design.

The first step would be to determine what you want your website’s purpose to be (whether it’s informational, non-profit, or business-oriented, etc.). You then need to choose a domain name, choose a web host (such as Dreamhost), and begin building your pages. Purchasing a plan from a web designer will give you access to templates, tools, and customizations to make your website appealing to potential customers. Whichever web designer you choose will provide you with instructions and more specific steps to get to the end.

You will then need to test and publish the website, then find a way to market/advertise it on social media. Though the task might seem daunting at first, don’t skimp on quality. Making every effort to turn your website into a user-friendly, easily navigated source will make it much easier for you to gain followers and business.