| A portal web design allows its users to search | | | | is set up in such a way that it can be delivered |
| different types of information in a concise way. A | | | | through most internet devices including personal |
| good portal web design will shape to the user | | | | computers, PDA's and cell phones. |
| combining functions that are personal to them, like | | | | Regional portal web design is set up to provide |
| email, news, and entertainment without having to | | | | local information to the user. Things like weather |
| navigate too much and still keep that user | | | | forecasts, maps, and business information are |
| working under their own profile, thereby | | | | available to aid the user in researching other areas |
| personalizing their surf. Some web portals that | | | | of the world for use in e-commerce type |
| most people use are Yahoo!, AOL, and Google. | | | | applications. |
| These are however not the only type of portal | | | | A third type of portal web design is for |
| web designs available. | | | | government research. Most industrialized countries |
| There are different types of portals, either | | | | have some type of web portal set up for their |
| horizontal or vertical. Horizontal portals cover a | | | | citizens to research information. The type of |
| wide variety of areas or serve as a platform for | | | | searching done on these types of .gov sites |
| many similar companies or types of | | | | include information on health initiatives, |
| manufacturing. Vertical portals are sometimes | | | | government programs, and outreach. In addition |
| called vortals and focus on one specific area or | | | | there are often links on these websites to specific |
| industry niche. In addition portal design is | | | | government agencies like education and defense. |
| sometimes categorized as personal, regional, and | | | | Some countries have joined forces with their |
| government. | | | | unions to form larger portals. For example the |
| A personal portal would specialize in a personalized | | | | European Union has a portal called Europa which |
| pathway to the internet for the visitor. This | | | | provide information on topics from all across |
| design allows the user to navigate through many | | | | Europe. |
| types of applications and sources. This information | | | | |