Distinguishing between web portals and websites is not always straightforward. Although both are beneficial and vital platforms, they serve distinct purposes. Websites and web portals are linked as both are web-based; however, websites are collections of web pages accessible to anyone, while web portals provide a select group of users the opportunity to explore and benefit from their services.
In this article, we will answer all your questions about web portals. We will discuss the differences between websites and portals with examples to illustrate why portals are superior to websites.
What is a Web Portal?
Web Portal Definition
A web portal is a central hub for data access, control, and procedures. It is a web application integrated into websites, accessible only to relevant users who can log in to view the business's internal data and related services. The design of a web portal allows organizations to personalize and simplify communication with customers and employees. It supports business intelligence, task management, integration, collaboration, and search navigation.
Web portals can greatly benefit organizations and enterprises by increasing efficiency and productivity, reducing costs, and fostering long-term customer relationships. They are available as dashboards for managers and executives, enabling them to monitor employee activities and manage workloads. Moreover, web portals are accessible on most electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. All these benefits combined reveal the reasons behind web portal development costs.
What is Portal Development?
A web portal, being a primary access point to a vast amount of information, requires advanced programming skills. This includes client-side and server-side programming, progressive website development, secure registration system implementation with verification and authentication, and thorough security testing. Different businesses need tailored web portal solutions to achieve their objectives and maximize the benefits of the platform.
It is crucial to engage a reputable software development company capable of delivering a web portal with all the necessary features and functionalities, such as document management, event scheduling, workflow tracking, and content publishing. They must also ensure the portal is functional and easy to manage.
Features
Portals can bring a lot of benefits to users by offering multiple features. These are the full functionalities and capabilities that every web-based portal should offer.
- Accessing information is simple.
- The portal is simple to use for searching for information.
- Single sign-on (SSO).
- Forms and workflows to automate manual and time-consuming jobs.
- High security can be applied centrally and enforced.
- Analytics based on user behavior.
- Mobility
- Integration with existing systems.
- Collaboration and social networking tools.
- Personalization and customization.
- Straightforward content and document management.
- News feed and bulletins.
- Notifications and acknowledgments.
Different Types of Web Portals
There are two types of web portals, horizontal and vertical:
Vertical Portals
Vertical portals, also known as vortals, focus on a specific market. These portals provide statistics, tools, research, articles and other information specific to one industry.
These portals can be helpful for anyone looking for information on a specific topic. Vertical portals include bidding portals and university portals.
Horizontal Portals
Horizontal portals cover a broad range of topics that are relevant to many industries. They offer a variety of information and direct users to related resources within the areas they are interested in.
Horizontal portals can be found in many areas, including corporate, educational, and government.
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Web Portals Examples
Portals can be extremely helpful in bringing together information from multiple sources and sharing content with customers, departments, etc.
Because they apply to different industries, web portals are often associated with B2B and B2C and internal company portals.
Web portals can be embedded in websites that store data in the cloud, regardless of their type. Organizations can also use portals to automate and simplify their workflows. Here are some examples of the most used web in companies.
Sales Portal
Organizations can utilize a sales portal to plan and manage their sales activities. It enables all sales teams to collaborate effectively, keeping track of customer interactions and activities. A notable feature of a sales portal is the ability to share documents and other sales tools.
CRM Portal
More companies are turning to CRM portals to manage customer relationships (CRM) for smooth operations. CRM portals can also be used to synchronize the work of internal and remote staff members when they implement strategies or campaigns using real-time data.
HR Portal
Organizations that employ centralized and collaborative methods to manage human resources will find HR portals beneficial. These systems enable HR staff to easily communicate with senior executives, who have access to personnel data such as schedules and compensations.
Intranet Portal
Intranet portals are enterprise-level applications used within a company to allow employees access to internal organizational data through the intranet website. A login is required to access company data and services, enabling employees to participate in professional processes online, learn, collaborate, and engage in other activities.
Corporate Portal
Corporate portals can be described as a hybrid of a B2B portal and a portal for B2C. These portals allow clients and business associates to access internal company data.
Extranet Portal
Extranet portals allow external parties to access internal data and services through a website linked to the system.
Member Portal
Membership portals allow members to access exclusive services. Customers can log into their member area to access unique materials such as documents, entertainment activities, training materials, and music.
Customer Portal Solution
Client portals enable clients to view data and make purchases. They also help companies streamline customer interactions, increasing customer retention.
Project Management Portal
Portals for project management allow executives at different levels to share documents and monitor budgets and timelines.
These portals also allow the external sharing of data and documents.
There are various types of web portals, each distinguished by its content and use, including:
- Search Portals.
- Portals of the Federal Government and Government.
- Stock and Financial Portals.
- Enterprise Portals.
- Bidding Portals.
- Cultural and Trade Portals.
Website Vs. Web Portal
Examples of Differences between Portals and Websites
Both platforms offer a web-based interface. However, you must distinguish between a website and a portal. Websites and web portals can be described as two terms, each with features and advantages.
Websites are accessible via the internet from anywhere and by anyone if supported by the website. Users don't need to log in to view the content, which is typically used to educate users about a specific industry, product, or service. Websites can facilitate shopping, online payments, information searches, and many other functions. They also help businesses reach their target audience and enhance their online presence. Websites can be categorized into three types:
- Static websites: Content remains fixed regardless of the visit time.
- Dynamic websites: Content updates automatically, refreshing with each visit.
- Interactive websites: These allow user interaction, such as leaving feedback and comments, and they offer engaging content to retain visitors' attention.
Most web portals require a password and login ID for access, as they manage workflows and facilitate the sharing, reuse, and exchange of information. Web portals provide content that is often sourced from multiple locations, frequently updated, and dynamically modified, and visibility may change from one user to another.
Differentiating websites and web portals in different ways
- Websites focus on driving traffic, while web portals are for specific users.
- Anyone can access websites, and it doesn't require a login ID or password. Web portals, however, require authentication and are only accessible to users whose credentials are unique for each user.
- The content can be either static or dynamic, depending on the website type. The content of web portals, however, is always dynamic. The content on web portals changes every time a user visits them.
- Their security mechanisms differ due to the amount of information they collect. Because website content can be accessed by anyone, security mechanisms for both platforms are easier. Web portals can contain internal business data, customer analytics and documentation. The platform needs complex security mechanisms at every level.
There are Critical differences Between a Website and a Web Portal
In specific business contexts, both websites and portals can be beneficial. There are some overlaps between the two platforms.
Websites can use content targeting and other tools to create personalized user engagement solutions. Web portals may have public pages that are not accessible to registered users. Before you invest in web portals or website development, it is essential to determine your goals and needs.
This will allow you to choose the best solution for your industry and business.
These are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of each website and web portal.
Pros & Cons Of Web Portals
It may initially seem difficult to distinguish between web portals and websites, but they serve distinct purposes and offer different functionalities. For instance, websites primarily engage customers by sharing product and service information, helping resolve queries, reaching target markets, enhancing online presence, establishing credibility, and providing contact details.
However, web portals can also serve as a hub for information.
- Improving the ability to implement quality information
- Improve communication methods
- Enhancing the customer-company relationship
- Provide filtered information through a comprehensive platform.
- Attracting specific areas and targeting particular audiences better
What is a Web Portal for a Business?
Many businesses are migrating to web portals and adding them to their business processes. This has dramatically increased the need for web portal development.
Web portal software can significantly improve many vital organizational processes, including customer management and satisfaction, growth in online sales, content publishing, staff communication in real-time, and payment approaches.
Web portals are invaluable for improving customer service by allowing quick responses to queries and enhancing customer satisfaction. They facilitate employee communication by enabling secure information storage and sharing, as well as work organization.
Designed to provide centralized access to various information sources, the best approach is integrating different business applications. This allows for the easy tracking and management of data from different systems, saving time, enhancing security, and facilitating single sign-on for all business applications. Customizing various tools through a web portal can optimize user experience and maximize system value.
Investing in high-quality web portal design and partnering with professionals for its maintenance and management can attract the right customers, thanks to its professional appearance and credibility.
Consider a web portal for your business if:
- It has several offices in various locations, both national and international.
- Remote or home-based employees can be hired.
- Your company must improve the visibility of information to managers, employees, and other departments.
- You want to automate specific day-to-day tasks.
- External data and/or process contributions, such as channel retailers, are required.
- Your company must offer scalable IT licensing options.
Your business will reap the benefits of integrating web portals into your company. These are the top three internal and external benefits.
How to Start a Portal?
Web Portal Development Steps
Developing complex, scalable web portal systems requires careful strategic planning and a strong team of professionals. Developers need to consider many aspects and thoroughly test the product before launching it. To balance the development process, developers plan and customize your project's design, security, stability, and other aspects. Here are the most essential steps in custom portal development you should consider:
Identify your Business Goals
Before designing a web portal, it's crucial to understand what characteristics it should have that are relevant to your business goals. By identifying your goals and needs, it will be easier to determine the type of web portals your company needs. The software will add the most value to your company and help you achieve your long-term goals.
Select the Type of Web Portal
Different portals are suited to different industries, as we have already discussed. It would help if you first considered your sector and the challenges you want a portal to solve.
No matter what type of portal you choose, all web portals integrate with the company's IT and marketing systems to automate data synchronization across the entire back-end infrastructure.
Select the Programming Language
Although many programming languages are available, not all provide the functionality required to create a robust and scalable web portal.
We may use C#, Java and PHP as coding languages to provide the best options. These languages can create viability and access for engineers with the appropriate expertise.
Select Who Will Develop The Web Portal.
Before development, determine if it will be developed in-house or by a trusted IT outsourcing company. In certain business situations, both options are viable. Outsourcing can help you save time and money and provide the expertise necessary to develop the portal. The outsourcing team will also maintain the portal, allowing in-house developers to concentrate on more critical tasks. However, if your in-house developers have the knowledge and expertise to create a web portal that suits your company's needs, this can be beneficial for specific business goals.
Security
Security is essential for any system that holds the business' internal data. Ensure you have sufficient practice and a deep understanding of creating secure web portals when hiring developers.
Engineers must use the most advanced methodologies and practices to implement high-level security controls.
The authorization and authentication mechanisms must be designed using the same security methods. Each layer of development for any web portal should be tested.
Cross-site scripting should be avoided, SQL injections prevented, password encryption and SSL/HTTPS for secure login, 2-factor authentication, and protection against the latest viruses must all be provided.
It is important to note that a web portal must adhere to data privacy laws. This means you can protect any data collected via your portal, including customer and employee data and internal business data.
Another reason security mechanisms should be of high quality is that they can protect data collected through your portal.
Portal Building Options
There are many ways that engineers can create a web portal. Here, you can choose between custom portal design or off-the-shelf solutions.
Each option has its unique advantages. Off-the-shelf options can be more economical, but custom portal development can address all your business needs. These options should be used under your company's goals and niche.
Custom Portal Development
This is the best way to build web portals. While custom portal development can take a lot of time, each layer is created according to your company's needs.
Coders create custom solutions for your business. Three key elements are required for the creation of a custom portal:
- The strong, robust, and scalable programming language has minimal security vulnerabilities.
- Strong database.
- An effective front end for interacting with clients and customers on the web portal.
Custom portal development is more costly than other options because each business case must be explicitly designed.
But the long-term benefits are endless, so the web portal development cost pays off over time.
Options Off-The-Shelf
Off-the-shelf web portal development costs are lower. These are usually integrated with Content Management System software. These pre-built web apps can be incorporated into your company's Content Management System software.
They need to have the specific functions your business might require. They can help with client access, customer management, and sales.
It is possible to save money by not building a website from scratch but instead using existing tools.
Conclusion
Both websites and portals have their benefits. They serve different functions and can be used for other purposes.
It is now clear what a portal website is, how much a portal website costs and why it is the best option for anyone looking for a private platform that can be used only by a select group. You can also manage and control all activities within your company through your portal.
If your goal is to make the internet accessible and build a brand online, then a website might be the best option.
Websites will promote your business to a broad audience and bring in users from around the globe.
After analyzing both platforms, it became clear that portals are more beneficial for businesses in managing their internal workflow processes.
Portals can reduce manual tasks, increase productivity, and decrease time spent on repetitive tasks. You can also access analysis that can help you gain business insight about your employees, customers, or other essential activities.
To get the best value from both platforms, consider the type of business, niche, and goals you have.
