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It is not easy to distinguish between web portals and websites. While both are beneficial and vital platforms, they serve different purposes.
Both websites and web portals are interlinked because they are both web-based. Websites are collections of web pages that anyone can access. In contrast, web portals offer a limited number of users the opportunity to explore their world and benefit from their services.
We will answer all your questions about web portals in this article. We will also discuss the differences between websites and portals with examples to show why portals are better than websites.
What is a Web Portal?
Web Portal Definition
A web portal is central for data access, control and procedures. It is a web application that is integrated into websites.
Only the relevant users can access it by logging into the repository's business internal data and related services.
A web portal design allows organizations to personalize and simplify communication with customers and employees.
It offers business intelligence, task management, task integration, task management, collaboration and search navigation.
Web portals can be a great asset to organizations and enterprises, as they offer many benefits, including increased efficiency and productivity, significant cost savings, and maintaining long-term customer relationships.
Web portals are available as dashboards for managers and executives, which allow them to monitor their employees' activities and organize their workloads. They are also available on most, if not all, electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets and personal computers.
What is Portal Development?
As a web portal is the main point of access to a large amount of information, it requires advanced programming skills.
This includes client-side and server-side programming, progressive website building, secure registration system verification and authentication, and high-quality security testing.
Different web portal solutions are needed by different businesses to achieve their goals and take advantage of all the benefits offered by the platform.
It is essential to hire a trusted software development company that can deliver a web portal with all of the required features and functionalities, such as document management, event scheduling (contact information gathering), workflow tracking, content publishing, and so on. They must also be able to create a functional and easy-to-manage portal.
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 acknowledgements.
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 use a sales portal to plan and manage their sales. All sales teams can collaborate through the portal and keep track of customer interactions and activities.
A sales portal allows you to share documents and other sales tools, which is a great feature.
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 use centralized and collaborative methods to manage human resources can benefit from HR portals.
These systems allow HR staff to easily communicate with senior executives, who have access to the personnel's data, such as their schedules and compensations.
Intranet Portal
Intranet portals, enterprise-level applications, are used within an intranet company to allow employees to access internal organization data via the intranet website.
A login is required to access company data and services. These login mechanisms allow you to access company information without using external sources. They also enable you to participate in professional processes online, learn, collaborate and do other such things.
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
Members can access unique services through membership portals. Customers can log in to 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 many portals, depending on their content and uses. These web portals can be distinguished as:
- 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 can be accessed via the internet. Websites are easily accessible from anywhere, and anyone can access them if the website supports them.
You don't need to log in to view the website's content. This is usually a way to educate users about a particular industry, product, or service. These websites can be used for shopping, online payments, searching for information and many other purposes.
They also help businesses reach their target audience and increase their online presence. There are three types of websites.
- Static websites: have fixed content. A static website's content remains constant regardless of when it is visited.
- Dynamic websites: are those where the content is automatically updated. Every time a website is visited, it is refreshed with new content.
- Interactive websites: are those that interact with visitors. You can leave feedback and comments. Interactive websites offer appealing content that will keep visitors' attention.
Most web portals can be accessed privately via the internet. They require passwords and login IDs. These portals manage workflows and share, reuse, and exchange information.
Web portals provide content that can be downloaded from many sources and is often updated and dynamically modified. Its visibility can also change from one user to the next.
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 seem not easy at first to distinguish between web portals and websites. After digging deeper into the subject, however, it becomes apparent that they are different and serve different purposes.
Websites may serve the following main functions:
- Engaging with customers to share information about products and services
- Customers and visitors can be helped to resolve their questions.
- Reach out to your target market and increase your client base.
- Online presence
- Credibility is key
- Provide 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 platform that is comprehensive.
- Attracting a particular area
- Targeting a specific audience is 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 an excellent tool for improving customer service. It's a great way to respond quickly to queries and improve customer satisfaction.
Web portals make it easier for employees to communicate. They allow them to store and share important information and organize their work securely.
Web portals are designed to give users centralized access to various sources of information. The best way to achieve this is by integrating different business applications.
It is possible to easily track and manage all data from different information systems within one system. This saves time, increases security, and allows one to sign on to all business applications. Web portals let you personalize and customize various tools to enhance user experience and maximize the system's value.
A web portal consulting company can attract the right customers by investing in high-quality web portal design and working with professionals to maintain and manage it.
This is due to its professional appearance and credibility.
Keep this in mind: Your business may require a web portal if the following are true:
- It has several offices located in various locations, including 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.
Read More: What Technologies Fit Best for Developing a Web Portal in 2023?
How to Start a Portal?
Web Portal Development Steps
It is no surprise that developing complex, scalable web portal systems require careful strategic planning. A strong portal development team of professionals must be able to create secure, functional web portal solutions.
Developers responsible for developing web portals need to consider many aspects and test the product before launching it. To balance the development process, developers plan and customize your project's design, security, stability and other aspects.
These are the most essential custom portal development steps you should consider.
Identify your Business Goals
Knowing what characteristics a web portal should have is essential before designing one. They must be relevant to your business goals.
By identifying your goals and needs, it will be easier to determine the type of web portals that 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 industry 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 developing a website portal, it is essential to determine if it will be developed in-house or by trusted partners.
In certain business situations, both options are viable. Outsourcing can help you save time and money and provide the expertise necessary to develop the website portal.
The outsourcing team will also maintain so that in-house developers can concentrate on more critical tasks. Suppose your in-house developers have the knowledge and expertise to create a web portal that suits your company's needs.
In that case, 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 that 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.
Options Off-The-Shelf
These are usually integrated with Content Management System software. These pre-built web apps can be integrated 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.
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Conclusion
Both websites and portals have their benefits. They serve different functions and can be used for different purposes.
It is now clear what a portal website is 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.
