As people have become increasingly aware, the implementation of a good website has a great impact on not only profitability but also on the image that an organisation has in its market. It is now a rarity to have a business that doesn't have a web site of some description and so the importance in understanding and employing the Internet's power is vital for all modern businesses.

It is important to understand that different web sites have different objectives depending on the Organisation's goals. The three main functions of a site are listed as follows:

1. Marketing Tool

An Organisation uses a web site purely for the purpose of displaying 'static' information. This is used mainly to attract custom, so the emphasis is on advertising and would contain little or no functionality.

2. Communications Tool

To use a website as a communications tool is to allow the exchange of information between client and user. This involves the sharing of data and employs a database to facilitate it. This would be used, for instance, for new and existing candidates to access and submit details.

3. Administrative Tool

Web sites can provide business solutions, not just to an Organisation's clients but to the Organisation itself. As an administrative tool a web site can provide the ability to manage the Organisation from anywhere, in effect offering the ability for an Organisation to have a virtual office, held on a server and accessed remotely by employees.