They're Not the Same Thing
A marketing website attracts customers. A customer portal serves them. Most businesses need both, but they serve fundamentally different purposes.
Marketing Website
Your public-facing site. Its job is to convert visitors into customers through clear messaging, social proof, and easy calls-to-action. Think: landing pages, service descriptions, testimonials, contact forms.
Customer Portal
A logged-in experience for existing customers. Its job is to provide value after the sale — account management, order tracking, support, resources, and self-service tools.
When You Need Both
If you have recurring customers who need to manage accounts, view orders, or access resources, you need a portal. If you're still acquiring customers primarily through your website, invest there first.
Our Recommendation
Start with a great marketing website. Add a portal when customer self-service becomes a bottleneck or when you're spending too much time on account-related support inquiries.