What type of website is best?

Figuring out the best website to achieve your business goals is an important part of branding. As you plan to develop your website, keep in mind the four main types of business web development:

E-commerce

The point of an e-commerce site is to help you increase sales. An e-commerce website is built with closing the sale in mind. An e-commerce site provides customers a place to visit in order to make a purchase. This type of website development focuses on helping you understand metrics including information about sales, returns, visitors, conversions, and more. The information can then be used to improve your performance.

Content

A content website is all about raising awareness of your brand. You provide valuable content that visitors can use. You want to provide content that encourages visitors to remain longer on the site. You can then direct them to make purchases at an e-commerce site, or encourage them to sign up for your email list.

Microsite

A microsite could be as simple as a landing page for with targeted information that pays offs an Adwords or other form of online advertising. Typically it’s a small group of pages on a very focused subject. The benefit of a microsite is they rank well organically and lower your PPC cost by targeting specific keywords improving your Quality Score therefore lowering your cost per click.

Lead-Generation

Websites focusing on lead-generation are supposed to provide you with solid leads for customers. Often, these sites focus on providing leads for high dollar products and services. Lead-generation sites include interesting information, and encourage visitors to sign up to receive more information, or be contacted by a sales professional.

Self-Service

Developing a self-service website can help you increase customer satisfaction. These sites allow visitors to take some sort of action, or resolve a problem. A good self-service site can help you increase satisfaction with your company.

Developing Your Site

Understand that many websites now incorporate characteristics of all four types of sites. An ecommerce site might also include useful content, such as articles and blog posts. It might also have lead-generating and self-service traits. Create a site that provides visitors with a reason to stay, and to take action, and you will see more sales.