What’s the difference between a website, microsite and web portal?

Understanding the differences between websites, microsites and web portal by dividing them by whether they are public or private lines and generic or specific.

Website

  • Public web presence
  • Generic target audience
  • Generic purpose

Microsite

  • Public web presence
  • Specific target audience
  • Specific service/functionality

Web Portal

  • Private web access
  • Specific target audience
  • Specific service/functionality

Or, to look at it a different way…

PublicPrivate
Generic audience & functionalityWebsite
Specific audience & functionalityMicrositePortal