Websites come in many differing styles and formats. Tailoring your website to suit your company's business, image and target market is vital.

Corporate Websites

Professional websites should echo the corporate brand and image of the company concerned - a solid, dependable and trustworthy company might go for a plain, unfussy design. By contrast, if a company wishes to portray itself as a dynamic and cutting edge business, vibrant colours and technologies such as Flash animations might be preferred. It is important not to overload pages with gimmicks at the expense of content. The website could incorporate online forms, eCommerce shopping facilities or online databases to be searched. Click here to view the GSRStocktaking Website.

Brochure Style Websites

For most businesses a simple few pages explaining what they do and how to contact them is all that is required. A few photographs and some carefully chosen words will provide customers with enough information to decide whether they are interested in what you have to offer. The site can then be linked to from various directory sites (such as Yell.com if your business is listed in the Yellow Pages). The Northern Devon Community Mediation site is a typical example of a small site, an online version of a pamphlet.

Entertainment

For many people web-surfing is used as an alternative to watching TV. They don't necessarily browse to buy or work, just for entertainment. Flash animations, video clips and soundtracks can all be added to websites to make websurfing more of an 'audio-visual' experience. It's important to remember that not all users will have broadband connections and powerful computers. If a user is frustrated by slow download times for your site, they may never bother to return. Alternatives should therefore always be provided and the user should be able to choose whether they play music or view animations. Cirencester Car Club includes a section where club memebers can upload their own photos to the website.