Library

Types of Websites

by: AllinOneWebServices.com

There are millions of websites on the internet, but they all break down into four primary categories:

1. Billboard or “fluff” sites
2. Utility sites
3. Community sites
4. Entertainment sites

Billboard (Fluff) sites

Billboard sites are simply advertisements to get visitors to buy a product or service. Well designed fluff sites grab the viewers attention, build credibility, provide information about the product or service in which they are interested, and offer methods to obtain the product or service.

A good fluff site must first grab a visitors attention. After all, that is the primary purpose of the site. Think of the site in terms of a road-side billboard. If you don’t get your customer’s attention, you’ve already lost. Professional design, a little animation or movement, and maintaining focus on the product or service are all keys.

Once you have a visitor's interest, build credibility. Why should they buy the product or service from you? What makes you different? You may want to give a list of your bigger clients. Or provide testimonials from satisfied customers. Offer a guarantee. Remember, your visitor hasn’t seen or called you yet…you must develop trust.

Providing information about your product, service, or industry is a good way of getting customers to come back. They may also pass along your website to friends. Create a newsletter, a reference library, or a links page with relevant links to other relevant (but not competing) websites. Other websites may link to yours if you provide quality information.

Finally, you must offer the visitor information about how to obtain your product or service. Can they buy it online? Place an order by fax? Call it in? You’ve got them sold on your product or service, so close the deal. The more options you provide (buy online or call or fax or email) the better your chances that you will make the sale.

Utility Sites

Utility website are generally created as an addition to an existing business. Do you provide post sale support for your product or service? Do you mail, FedEx, or fax a lot of forms, photographs or other information to customers? Put it on the web! You’ll save costs and the information can be available 24/7.

Good utility sites should stress function over format. Making a professional looking site is important, but the primary goal is functionality. Typically in utility sites, the customer is already sold on your service. You are providing them an added service. Don't bust your budget on trying to wow them with graphics...make the site full-featured. The easier the site is to navigate, the less likely you will get phone calls from confused visitors.

Utility sites typically require much more planning than fluff sites. Navigation and functionality is key. How will your customers access the site? Computer? Web-enabled cell phone? What features are they looking for? Are there other popular sites that your customers visit that may perform similar functions? How do they work?

Utility sites also benefit from content management. Content management is a web-based administration to which only you or your designated staff have access. The idea is to enable you to make the changes in content without additional web design from a browser like Internet Explorer. Whether its deactiving members, uploading information or photos, or adding new products, content management lets you do it on your terms.

Community Sites

Community sites are typically setup as a method of allowing your customers to share information…like their own free website. Community sites may allow your clients, staff, volunteers, or the public at large to share opinions and ideas, ask for help, or show off. Some community sites are businesses in themselves.

Community sites are a more sophisticated form of utility site. They may even be created in addition to or in concert with utility sites. Usually community sites require more security (visitors often have their own “account”) and functionality is very key.

Setting up community sites requires you have adequate knowledge of your industry and specifically your customer. Remember they are setting up their own little mini website, or profile, with your help. What features do they expect?

Entertainment Sites

Entertainment sites are still one of the most popular self-contained internet businesses. From games to porn, music to casinos, entertainment sites are generally a rich blend of visuals, audio, video, and community like features. Many entertainment sites require security and accounting systems for each visitor, as well as a payment systems that integrate with the visitors accounts.

Entertainment sites are programatically intensive, and require all of the features of fluff, utility, and community sites. They typically require larger budgets and full-time staff to keep them running and marketed.