What Type of Site Do I Need?
Brochure (Static) Websites
Most small businesses started out with a small, "static" website. In order for the business to update their static website, they had to contact their website development company and request that the changes be made. It is for this reason that they are not updated very often and remain static for a long period of time.
For some purposes a static web site is a good place to start or it may even be all you need. An example of a business that may only need a static web site is a small accommodation operation like a Bed & Breakfast. If the only information that is likely to change is the prices, and then only every couple of years, it may not make financial sense to have any more than a static brochure type site.
Dynamic Database Driven Websites
Today, most successful websites are dynamic, meaning the content changes regularly. Dynamic websites are usually maintained by you, the client using a Content Management System, a web-based database application that allows you to update your content without having to learn anything about web programming.
If you wanted to take reservations or bookings online, then you would need to upgrade to a database driven web site. This would put a lot of Web Site Designers out of the running.
Examples of Dynamic Websites
Corporate Style Websites
This is the next step up from a static website, where you can update the website content yourself without having to contact the web design company.
It is not necessarily more expensive to launch a dynamic website than a static website. In the long-run it will in fact be cheaper if you intend to update regularly (which in itself is a good Internet Marketing habit)
Many businesses publish press releases, photo galleries, project portfolios and other things more relevant to the nature of their business. Online enquiries can also be stored in the database as well as being sent to your email address.
E-commerce
In-House Processing
An example of an In-House Processing e-commerce web site would have a catalogue of products which your customers could add to a shopping cart. When they go to check out, their information is stored in a database. As the store owner, you would go to a secure administration page and retrieve the order information. You would then process and ship the order just the same as if someone had phoned in an order.
This type of system is ideal for stores who already have credit card merchant accounts set up for their existing business. The catalogue and shopping cart system are database driven and can be controlled by you, the store owner without having to know how to edit web pages.
Payment Gateways
Payment Gateways such as PayPal and AuthorizeNet are good e-commerce methods for a smaller business who isn't ready to set up credit card merchant accounts with their bank. These gateways will authorize and process your customers credit cards for you and then deposit your money in your bank. There are usually set-up fees and per-transaction fees for each order but if you only have a few products or are just starting out, this can be cheaper than processing the cards yourself.
These payment gateway systems could either use a catalogue system on your site (Which we could help you with) or some of them offer Storefronts on ther web sites. (Which we can't help you with)
Community / Portal Sites
Eg. Job Search Websites, Online Dating websites, Discussion Boards, Special-Interest Portals
The website almost becomes type of social being in itself by interacting with the member on a very personal level. For example, after submitting a post to a discussion board, the website will email the member to inform them when they have received a reply. The website and the member, in a sense, form a virtual relationship.
The membership registration process is usually automated allowing the website owner to concentrate on selling advertising space and monitoring performance.
Information Sites
Eg. Website directories, article directories, a Short-Story/Poetry submission website, etc. The information is generated by people that visit the website and submit content – the website is self-generating.