Rocketface® Webmaster's Workshop
Design A Website
A beginners guide to building a classic website

Including the step-by-step webmasters tutorial "How to Design a Website"

Types of Websites

by: Gene DeFazzio

Types of websites

There are several types of websites on the Internet each specializing in a particular service or use. If you are planning a new website or revamping an old one it helps to have an idea of what type of site you may be creating.

Each type of website has its own character and structure. By following an established formula you can express your message/product in a simple to follow format.

We will be looking at the design of commercial and personal sites although the principles would apply to any type of website. In fact most websites are a combination of website types. Some of the more common ones are listed below:

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Organizational Website

The purpose of this type of website is to advocate an individual's opinion or a group's point of view. A website where persons with similar interests communicate with one another, usually by chat or message boards.The Internet address often ends with .org.

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Commercial Website

The purpose of this type of website is to sell products or services. Commercial websites are used for promoting a business or service. The Internet address often ends with .com.

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Entertainment Website

The purpose of this type of website is to entertain and provide amusement. The Internet address often ends with .com.

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Government Website

The purpose of this type of website is to provide information produced by government agencies, offices, and departments. Usually, information provided by government websites is very reliable. The Internet address often ends with .gov.

News Website

The purpose of this type of website is to provide information about current events, dedicated to dispensing news and commentary. The Internet address often ends with .com.

Weblog (or blog)

A website that is used to log online readings or to post online diaries; may include discussion forums or chat rooms. The Internet address has a variety of endings.

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Personal Website

The purpose of this type of website is to provide information about an individual or group. This type of website is run by an individual or a small group (such as a family) that contains information or any content that the individual wishes to include. The Internet address has a variety of endings.

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Educational Website

The propose of this type of website is to provide information about an educational establishment. The Internet address ends in .edu.

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Internet Service Provider Website

The purpose of this type of website is to promote companies and services related to the Internet. The Internet address ends in .net.

Military Website

The purpose of this type of website is to provide information about the military. The Internet address ends in .mil.

Hybrid Websites

Many websites are a mixture of types. For example, a business web site may promote the business's products, but may also host informative documents, such as white papers or provide news for its visitors. There are also numerous sub-categories to the ones listed above. For example, a fan site may be a vanity site on which the administrator is paying homage to a celebrity.

Misc. notes on website types

Many businesses websites have the appearance of brochures. They are simple and without frills, communicating some simple message or product.

Some websites act as vehicles to communicate with other people via web chat or as a blog.

Websites are constrained by architectural limits (e.g. the computing power dedicated to the website).

Very large websites, such as Yahoo!, Microsoft, Google and most other very large sites employ several servers and load balancing equipment, such as Cisco Content Services.

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Types of Websites

by: Gene DeFazzio

Types of websites

Misc. notes on website types

Webpage Designing

Rocketface® Recommended Reading