Quick answer
A company website mainly publishes information; a web platform lets people carry out a process. A business site might show services, case studies and contact details. A platform may give customers accounts, different permissions, private records, transactions and a staff dashboard.
Practical scope
The distinction matters because platform work includes workflow rules and data handling that may be invisible in a design mock-up. Write down every user type and what each can view, create, approve or edit. Map one complete journey, including what happens when a payment fails or a user submits incorrect information.
Some projects can begin with a content-management system and a small number of integrations. Others need custom development because the workflow is the product. Ask vendors to explain why they recommend their approach, what third-party tools it relies on, and how future changes will be made. Compare the total cost of ownership, not only the initial build.
What to define before requesting proposals
- Whether visitors only read information or complete transactions
- User types, permissions and private information
- The complete customer and staff workflow
- Exception handling, reporting and integrations
Questions to ask service providers
- Can a content-management system support this workflow?
- Which parts require custom development and why?
- How will permissions, audit records and future changes work?
How to assess the answers
Choose based on workflow complexity rather than appearance. A platform proposal should explain data, permissions and exception handling that may not appear in screen designs.
Classify the work behind the page
For each feature, identify whether staff simply publish information or whether the system must enforce a rule. A course information page is content; reserving limited places, confirming payment and changing enrolments is a workflow. A project may need both a public site and a private administration area.
Compare approaches using one scenario
- Have vendors demonstrate the same customer action and the staff follow-up.
- Ask what happens when capacity is full, a payment is unconfirmed or an account loses access.
- Identify configuration, custom development and third-party subscriptions separately.
- Check who maintains the workflow when your rules change.
Does having a CMS mean the whole platform is editable?
No. Editing text and images is different from changing business rules. Ask exactly which settings staff can change and which changes require development.
Website or platform decision sheet
Copy these items into your brief, adapt the requirements and assign an owner and status. Examples illustrate planning decisions, not customer case studies. Fill cost fields with HKD quotations you obtain and state the billing period.
| Decision / item | Information to provide | Acceptance / comparison check |
|---|---|---|
| Publish information | Services, contact information and content owner | A CMS can edit the required public content |
| Carry out a workflow | Accounts, permissions, records and exceptions | Demonstrate the customer task and staff follow-up |
| Combine both | Shared navigation and ownership of each system | Identify what is configured, custom built or subscribed to |
Download the editable worksheet (CSV)