Your Website, What Do You Want it to Do?

Many people know they want a website, but they aren't even sure why. If you are one of those, you need to figure out exactly what it is that you want your website to do. What kind of information will you be displaying in your website? Who is it you want to get to visit? Here are the 6 most popular website types. This will help you decide which type you need.

1. The e-commerce website: As the name implies, this kind of website is for selling either a service or a product direct to the customer. These sites work well if your service is one you can provide over the web like programming or building websites for other people. You can also do well with this kind of site if your product is easy to deliver like an e-book or audio and/or video product. You can also sell hard goods. It just takes more work to prepare the product for shipping.

2. The brochure website: These website are easy to build as the information they contain is very similar to a brochure. When a customer is interested in you product or service, you can give them the brochure's web address and have them look at your brochure via the Internet. These type of websites work well for local business as your customer must come to you to actually buy your service or product.

3. The business card website: This is probably the easiest and arguably the least effective website of all. The only information you have on here is what you would typically put on a business card. The key here is to at least put up something for someone who happens to be looking for you with a search engine. The problem here is these kinds of sites can be frustrating for the people viewing. Customers especially have a tendency to get upset because they don't have any additional information about you and what you do.

4. The C/V Portfolio website: This is an extension of the business card format. The goal is to get people to call you if they are interested in what you are offering. It could be a listing of jobs, or a listing of your artwork. Whatever you list, it is more effective than just a business card website. Although these sites will get you some people to call, a site that offers more information that is helpful to the viewer will do better.

5. The content website: These websites are increasing in popularity. They provide useful writing and information that people want to know. Ads are then placed on the website. The more writing or content you can get, the better it works for you. Blogs are almost always a form of content website.

6. The community website: This one is often ignored. It's purpose is to serve the community. The community does not have to be geographical. It could be by interest level. You can make money from these if the site gets popular. Advertisers will pay to advertise on these sites. You may even be able to charge a membership fee.

There you have the 6 basic websites. Choose the one that serves your purpose and go to it.