By Monica
July 2025 | 5-min read
So… you know you need a website and automatically the internet is full of people yelling: “Get a landing page!”, “No, make it an ecommerce site!”, “Wait, what about a portfolio site?”
And you’re over here thinking:
“I just want something that works and doesn’t make me broke or bald from stress.”
I got you.
Today I’m going to walk you through the main types of websites out there, when to use each, what they actually do, and how to know which one fits your brand and business.
And don’t worry, I’ll keep it as jargon-free as I can. Whenever we drop a techy word, I’ll make sure I explain it
First, What Does “Type of Website” Even Mean?
“Type” just means the main goal and structure of your site.
Think of websites like cars:
- Some are built to carry a ton of stuff (Like trucks)
- Some are just meant to be sleek and fast (Like sports cars)
- Some are comfy everyday rides
Same idea with websites. They all have different purposes, structures, and features depending on what your brand actually needs to do online.
1. Brochure Website (The Digital Business Card)
This is the simplest type.
It’s usually just a few pages: Home, About, Services, Contact.
It doesn’t sell anything directly, it just shows who you are and how to reach you.
Perfect for:
- Small local service businesses (plumbers, salons, architects, lawyers)
- Coaches, freelancers, consultants
- Brick-and-mortar shops that just want an online presence
Example:
A local hair salon can have a clean 4-page site: Home with pretty photos, About with their story, Services with pricing, and a Contact form. No booking system, no online payments. Simple and effective.
2. Portfolio Website (Show Off Your Work)
This is where you put your work on display like an art gallery.
Usually filled with visuals, case studies, or project details.
Perfect for:
- Designers, photographers, artists
- Agencies (like us 👋)
- Videographers, content creators, writers
Example:
A wedding photographer can have a homepage with their best shots, a gallery page with full weddings, an About section with their vibe, and a contact form for bookings. The whole site is basically “Hire me, here’s why I’m awesome.”
3. E-commerce Website (The Online Store)
This one is a bit self explanatory but yes in summary sells products directly on the site. It includes a shopping cart (a tool that lets users add multiple items before paying), a checkout (the page where they pay), and a payment gateway (the tech that processes credit cards safely).
Perfect for:
- Clothing brands
- Accessories, skincare, or product-based businesses
- Bookstores, small shops, subscription boxes
Example:
A local clothing brand can have a website with categories like Tops, Bottoms, and Accessories. Each product has images, sizes, descriptions, and an “Add to Cart” button. It’s a full digital store open 24/7.
4. Blog / Content Website
This one focuses on publishing articles or stories regularly. We spoke about these a few blogs ago ; ) It’s not exclusively about selling something directly, it can be about building an audience and gaining trust.
Perfect for:
- Magazines, news sites, or content creators
- Brands who want to rank on Google with articles
- Experts who want to build authority in their niche
Example:
A nutritionist can write weekly blogs about healthy recipes, meal prep, and wellness tips. They don’t sell anything yet, but they’re building an audience to later sell courses or coaching.
5. Corporate / Multi-page Business Website
This is the big sibling of the brochure site. It’s bigger, deeper, and often includes multiple departments or services. Think dozens of pages, built to support marketing, recruiting, and customer service.
Perfect for:
- Companies with multiple service lines or teams
- Agencies, construction firms, real estate firms, etc.
Example:
A real estate development firm can have a website with pages for About, Services, Projects, Careers, News, Blog, and Contact. It’s built like a digital headquarters, the full company lives here.
6. Web App or Platform Website
Ok, this one’s more advanced. It’s built to do something, not just show info.
It often has logins, dashboards, and user accounts.
Perfect for:
- SaaS startups
- Online booking systems
- Membership or learning platforms
Example:
A fitness brand builds a platform where users can log in, track workouts, and watch premium videos. It’s not “just a website”, it’s software.
Comparison Table
| Type of Website | Purpose | Best For | Typical Size | Cost Range |
| Brochure | Show info + contact | Local businesses, consultants | 3–5 pages | $1,000–$2,500 |
| Portfolio | Showcase work/projects | Creatives, agencies | 5–10 pages | $2,000–$4,000 |
| E-commerce | Sell products online | Product-based businesses | 10–50+ pages | $3,000–$10,000+ |
| Blog/Content | Publish content + grow audience | Experts, magazines, educators | 10–100+ posts | $2,000–$5,000+ |
| Corporate/Business | Full company hub | Companies, agencies, service firms | 10–50 pages | $3,000–$12,000+ |
| Web App / Platform | Offer tools or services online | SaaS, booking, memberships | Custom / complex | $8,000–$30,00 |
Note: These are ballpark numbers. It depends on how custom or complex your project is.
The Wrap-Up
Before we finish I want to be very clear: There’s no “best” website type, there’s only the best type for your brand’s goals.
If you want something simple and clear → go brochure, If you want to sell → go e-commerce, If you want to build trust and rank → start blogging, If you want to scale and support teams → go corporate.
Choosing the right one from the start can save you time, money, and stress.
🎁 Our Gift to You
You know it! I love to finish on a positive note… If you made it this far, you’re clearly serious about getting it right, so I added a small gift for your business: A free 30-minute consultation call with me (Monica)! This is a service we usually charge for $49.99. But I want to leave this easter egg here for you, especially if you’re starting, this service is perfect for you!
I’ll help you:
- Understand which website type fits your business and brand goals
- Outline how we’d structure it (pages, features, flow, etc)
- Give you this outline to keep, even if you don’t end up working with us afterward
Book your free consultation with me, here: Schedule My Call
I’ll make sure you walk away with clarity, and a roadmap you can actually use. See you there!