When starting your online journey, one of the first steps is identifying the type of website you need. Whether you’re building a personal blog, a business site, or an online store, understanding the categories of a website helps you choose the right structure, features, and content strategy.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the different types of websites, explain how they’re categorized, and answer the question many beginners face: “What do I put in website type?”
Why Knowing Website Categories Matters
Websites serve as digital tools—each category fulfills a specific purpose. Choosing the wrong structure can lead to wasted time, mismatched features, and poor user experience. Knowing the types of websites helps you:
- Plan the right content structure.
- Choose a platform and hosting that match your needs.
- Improve SEO by aligning site type with user search intent.
- Deliver a better experience to visitors.
According to the definition from Wikipedia, a website is “a collection of web pages and related content that is identified by a common domain name.” Within this broad definition, websites can be categorized by function, design, or technical architecture.
The Most Common Categories of a Website
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of websites you’ll come across:
1. Business Websites
- Purpose: Present company information, services, and contact details.
- Examples: Local service providers, law firms, agencies.
- Key Features: About pages, services, client testimonials, and contact forms.
2. E-commerce Websites
- Purpose: Facilitate online buying and selling.
- Key Features: Product listings, shopping carts, checkout systems, and secure payment gateways.
- As per Investopedia, e-commerce has become a global standard for both retail and B2B transactions. If you’re looking to launch an online store, check out our professional ecommerce website development services.
3. Blogs and Personal Websites
- Purpose: Share knowledge, hobbies, or personal insights.
- Key Features: Categorized articles, author bio, comments section.
- Blogs are also an effective tool for SEO, content marketing, and building authority.
4. Portfolio Websites
- Purpose: Showcase creative or professional work.
- Key Features: Image galleries, case studies, and client reviews.
- Often used by designers, photographers, developers, and writers. See some of the amazing projects we’ve worked on in our portfolio.
5. Educational Websites
- Purpose: Provide tutorials, training, or resources.
- Key Features: Learning modules, video lessons, quizzes, and certification options.
- Many universities now provide e-learning platforms that fall under this category (UNESCO).
6. Nonprofit & Community Websites
- Purpose: Share a mission, accept donations, and engage supporters.
- Key Features: Mission statement, donation portals, and event calendars.
- Examples include charity groups, cultural communities, or local clubs.
7. News & Media Websites
- Purpose: Publish current events and media-rich content.
- Key Features: Headlines, categorization, subscriptions, and search functionality.
- As noted by Britannica, news websites are central in today’s information ecosystem.
8. Event & Booking Websites
- Purpose: Promote events, allow registration or ticket sales.
- Key Features: Event schedules, booking forms, reminders, and ticket integrations.
Technical Categories: Static vs Dynamic Websites
Beyond purpose, websites are also classified technically:
- Static Websites: Deliver the same content to every visitor. Simple and fast but require manual updates.
- Dynamic Websites: Generate content on-the-fly using databases and server scripts, making them suitable for blogs, e-commerce, and forums. A dynamic website is an excellent choice for a business and can be developed using platforms like PHP. As a leading PHP development company, we can help you build a robust and scalable website.
Niche & Emerging Types of Websites
Some websites don’t fall neatly into the above categories. These include:
- Single-Serving Websites – Simple one-page sites with one function, such as promoting a campaign.
- Wikis – Knowledge-sharing platforms like Wikipedia itself.
- Forums & Communities – Interactive discussion platforms.
- Interactive or AI-driven Sites – Personalized experiences powered by modern web technologies.
What Do I Put in Website Type?
When setting up a new site (e.g., during hosting or CMS installation), you may be asked to select a website type. Here’s how to decide:
- Selling products → E-commerce
- Showcasing services → Business
- Writing articles → Blog / Personal
- Displaying creative work → Portfolio
- Offering training → Educational
- Organizing community → Nonprofit / Membership
- Promoting a single campaign → Landing Page
The choice isn’t just technical—it ensures that the platform suggests the right templates and features for your purpose. If you’re still unsure about the right path for your project, you can get a free consultation from our experts.
SEO & Accessibility Considerations
No matter which type of website you choose, these universal principles apply:
- Use structured navigation and internal linking.
- Create category pages for clear organization.
- Include XML sitemaps to guide search engines.
- Ensure accessibility: alt text, semantic HTML, and keyboard-friendly design.
Thinking about the financial side of things? Find out the cost of website development in 2025 to help you budget for your project.
Summary Table
| Goal | Recommended Website Type |
| Sell products | E-commerce |
| Provide services | Business |
| Share knowledge or a hobby | Blog |
| Showcase creative work | Portfolio |
| Provide education | Educational |
| Support a community or cause | Nonprofit |
| Share news or updates | Media |
| Promote an event or a single action | Event / Landing Page |
Final Thoughts
The internet is home to billions of sites, yet each falls under certain categories of a website. By identifying the different types of websites and aligning your choice with your goals, you can avoid confusion and ensure long-term success.
So, the next time you’re asked “what do I put in website type?”—think about your objective. Are you selling, teaching, showcasing, or sharing? The answer will determine not just your site’s layout, but also its success. If you’re ready to get started, feel free to contact us!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the main categories of a website?
The main categories include business websites, e-commerce sites, blogs, portfolio sites, educational platforms, nonprofit/community websites, and media/news portals.
2. What is the difference between a static and a dynamic website?
Static websites show the same content to all visitors, while dynamic websites pull content from a database to deliver personalized or updated information.
3. What do I put in “website type” when setting up a site?
It depends on your purpose: choose e-commerce if you’re selling, business if you’re offering services, blog if you’re publishing content, or portfolio if you’re showcasing work.
4. Which type of website is best for SEO?
Blogs and business websites are generally the most SEO-friendly because they allow regular updates and keyword-rich content. However, every type can rank well if optimized properly.
5. Can a website belong to more than one category?
Yes. For example, a business website can also include a blog or an e-commerce section, blending categories for maximum functionality.