Types of Websites
A website is simply a collection of web-pages and associated content which are identified by an assigned domain name and are posted on at least one website hosting server. The content of the website will vary depending on the needs of the website owner. Some websites may only consist of a few static pages, whereas others may consist of several dynamic web-pages. The most common example of this is Wikipedia, which was started in 2001 by Jimmy Wales.
Static websites are generally used for informational purposes or e-business. They tend to rely on the capabilities of the web server to connect to the internet and make accessible their web pages. The web server and the internet can also be accessed using a standard computer. Examples of static websites include the Wikipedia and the Amazon S3 servers.
Dynamic websites are designed to create interaction with the user’s interface (window). They usually depend on various third-party scripts or plug-ins to run other programs such as shopping carts and email services. Examples of popular dynamic websites include Facebook, YouTube and Wikipedia. A popular method of developing a dynamic web page in Ruby on Rails is by using a framework known as Rails.
Non-profit and educational websites are designed to promote a specific cause or belief. Educational websites are generally focused on a particular topic or philosophy. Non-profit websites generally aim at raising awareness of a local, national or global issue. This type of website requires an expert web designer to ensure that the site’s purpose is easily understood by visitors. An example of non-profit website includes the American Red Cross website.
Magazine websites fall into two categories: online and offline. An online magazine is a web page that is distributed to members of the membership organization free of charge. Offline magazines are published in printed form and may be distributed only among members of the organization. Both kinds of websites require different types of content. Articles, photos, videos and links must be written for each publication to make it appealing to its target audience.
Search engines play an important role in how well-designed website’s rank in search engines. Webmasters use search engine optimization techniques to rank their web pages in search engines. These techniques include keyword stuffing, link building and meta tags. There are many different types of SEO techniques, but most experts agree that a website should be designed with SEO in mind before being submitted to the search engines.