Nowadays, websites are practically essential. That’s why the profession of web designer is becoming increasingly popular and in demand. However, not every client who approaches a specialist for website creation knows exactly what they need — let alone what kind of website would help them achieve their goals.
The designer’s task is to find the optimal solution for the client and recommend the right type of website. And to do that, if you decide to study web design , it’s worth starting with understanding the types of websites and their purposes.
LANDING PAGE
This is one of the most popular and trendy types of websites with a high conversion rate. A landing page is a one-page site that promotes a single product or service. The user is encouraged to take one specific action — to buy, register, subscribe, etc. Landing pages have unique features in terms of design and development, which often affect the cost. Clients often mistakenly believe that landing pages are much cheaper than full multi-page websites, but that’s not entirely true. A designer has to fit all the necessary content and functionality into a single page, which is a technically challenging task.
BUSINESS CARD WEBSITE
The name of this website speaks for itself. Essentially, a business card site is the digital version of a traditional printed business card. It’s usually a small website that contains all the necessary information about the site owner or company — services, contact details, and directions. It only includes the most essential user information and avoids unnecessary content. Design is typically simple yet attractive, with a couple of menu sections and a few pages. This type of site is great for advertising a product or service.
CORPORATE WEBSITE
Corporate websites are best suited for medium to large businesses. These sites contain large volumes of information, complex navigation, and multiple menu sections. They also include site search functionality, customer feedback forms, online support, news sections, and even product catalogs. One of their most critical features is a user-friendly content management system (CMS), allowing the site administrator to manage all content easily. When designing a corporate website, it’s important to maintain consistency with the company’s branding and theme.
CATALOG WEBSITE
Online catalogs are structurally similar to corporate websites, but their main purpose is to showcase a company's entire product range. They typically include product photos, detailed descriptions, pricing, and sometimes manuals or documentation. Creating such a website is quite labor-intensive, as catalogs often contain many sections and subcategories. A catalog requires specialized software for quick and easy product additions, deletions, and data input.
ONLINE STORE
An online store differs from a catalog in that it not only displays products but also provides a convenient system for purchasing them. Such websites are typically large and must include a product catalog, purchase forms, shopping cart functionality for multiple items, various payment methods, and a cost calculator. The design can vary, but simplicity is usually preferred. Online stores are very complex to build and thus more expensive than other types of websites.
WEB PORTAL
A web portal is a large-scale website containing vast amounts of information on various topics. These platforms are packed with services and features such as user accounts, profiles, communities, chats, and more. Portals can be news platforms or classified ad boards. They require intuitive design and a powerful, user-friendly CMS. Choosing the right management system is critical. Portal development is complex and costly, similar to online stores.
PROMO SITE
A promo site is somewhat similar to a business card site. It also serves a promotional purpose, but usually with a more targeted and serious intent. Promo sites are used to advertise a specific service, product, or upcoming event like a concert or exhibition. They are also often used for brand promotion. Another key feature is that promo sites are typically temporary, aiming to attract as many users as possible within a limited time. The design must be eye-catching and memorable, with strong visuals and quality content.
IN CONCLUSION
For a web designer, the ability to create designs for different types of websites is essential. Of course, you can choose a niche and specialize in it — for example, only building landing pages or online stores. But versatility is what makes a designer truly professional. It also helps attract more clients and projects, which means higher income. Don’t be afraid to broaden your skill set and explore new styles and directions. Your dedication determines whether your monthly income is $100 or $1,000!