Types of Websites

There are various types of websites to be found on the Internet. From personal websites for individuals, to public sites such as those for retailers, there are numerous ways content can be displayed on a web page. A personal site is generally controlled by the individual, while a public site is run either by a company, government or other institution.

Some types of sites have URL (web address) endings or suffixes, that allow the user to determine the type of content they provide. For instance, ".gov" denotes a governmental website, while ".org" denotes a non-profit website. Often types of websites will overlap, as some community building sites may also offer blogging pages for their users.

Personal Websites

One of the swiftest ways to transmit information to associates, friends and family is via the Internet, which is why personal websites have become so important. Typically, this type of website will include information about the individual, and may include a photo and is often for the use of entertainment. The URL will often feature the user's name in the URL address. These types of sites are generally not easy to find in a web search, so it's recommended that they not be used for business purposes.

Blogging Sites

Online diaries of journals, also known as blogs, have become extremely popular in recent years. They allow the user to update his or her thoughts and emotions as often as possible, as well as to easily upload images. The purpose of this type of website is to "journal" and/or keep others updated on what is happening in your life. Other users may comment on the blogger's postings and can, in this way, create a limited "discussion."

Community Building Webpages

This types of site allows a person to directly interact with other uses of the site. The content an individual adds can be seen by others who also visit or post on the site. Examples of this type of site include Facebook.com and MySpace.com. This type of website is, in essence, an online community and is far more interactive than a simple blogging site. People who use community building websites generally have to become a member and to login with a password, but they are united by common interests and are able to easily develop discussions and share information with one another.

Another form of this type of website is called a "forum." Forums offer the same kind of interaction as community building sites like Facebook.com and MySpace.com, but in a simpler format. For example, users may share comments and information with one another and, on a limited scale, images, but the forum works mostly to share opinions, ideas and comments.

Video Sharing and Image Posting Sites

Some Websites exist for the pure purpose of allowing users to post videos they have found or created themselves, or to post their photos. For instance, an example of a photo sharing site is the popular site Flickr,com. Users can share photos with people all over the world, whether it be friends or family. For videos, there are two popular websites which many Internet users visit and they are Hulu.com and YouTube.com.

Company Webpages

Companies often offer their own sites as a way to effectively generate business and to conduct transactions. This type of site often ends in the suffix  ".com." A company's webpage usually lets visitors and users know where and how to contact them, often includes a description of their services as well as some images, but may also to sell items. This is an example of the overlap some websites may have. It's beneficial for companies, in these times of heavy Internet use, to have a presence on the World Wide Web in order to make their business--and the services they offer--more reachable.

Retail and Commercial Sites

These types of websites are essentially an online store, which generate what is  known as e-commerce. Retailers, whether large global companies, or tiny neighborhood storefronts may all have their own websites. One of the best and biggest examples of a commercial website is Amazon.com, an online retailer with multinational reach. Retail websites may sell a specific item or a wide variety of products, depending on the company that owns the site. A site like Etsy.com offers not only a place for a very specific audience (crafters) to sell their creations, but also provides an online forum for crafters, another example of overlapping types of websites.

Informational Websites

Some websites work as a one-stop directory for information, whether it be general or specific to certain subject matter. Wikipedia.org, which is essentially an online encyclopedia, is one such site. Another example of an informational webpage is Answers.com, a site that allows a user to simply plug in a question and the site delivers answers or articles relation to the topic. This type of site does not typically sell products or services, but operates for the purpose of sharing information. It maybe attached to other pages which do offer goods and/or services, but the purpose of this type of website is to inform the visitor.

News Sites

In these days of electronic evolution, newspapers, magazines and other print publications have gone online to take advantage of the wider readership base. For instance, The New York Times even has had its own website since the mid-1990's, which allows users all over the world to access the latest news it runs. Every town with a newspaper or magazine may take advantage of the ability to post news on their website. This allows even people who don't subscribe to visit their page and read articles, although viewing all of the page's content may be restricted to subscribers or members with a login and password. Typically, these types of sites also offer webpages where subscribers can update their contact or subscription information and nonsubscribers can order the publication to be sent to their home.

Educational Webpages

Institutions such as colleges and universities often have their own web sites and their URLs. These websites typically end in the suffix ".edu" and inform the visitor about the goal of the institution and its location as well as related content about the faculty and/or the student body. This type of website may also give descriptions of the classes taught and schedules for the accessibility of students and teachers. Even high schools these days offer their own sites, and these sites may end in the suffix ".org,"

Governmental Websites

All branches of the government--from the executive to legislative--tend to have their own websites in order to disseminate information to the public, to businesses and to deliver information privately to its workers. These types of websites usually end in the suffix ".gov." For instance, the FBI has its own website, www.fbi.gov and the United States Supreme Court has its own page, Supremecourtus.gov. Military branches, such as the US ARMY also have their own pages, typically ending in the suffix ".mil" with which to share information with the public and members.