The internet is filled with places to go, things to do and people to meet. How can you make sure that when you get online you're making the best use of your time and getting the most accurate information? We've compiled a list of some of the most common types of websites as well as examples of those that relate to the world of dance.

Static Website -- This is a standard website. It offers one-way communication from the host of the site to you. These sites house articles, information and links to other places where you can find additional content on your topic. Static sites are a great place to gather facts and related communication, but as with anything on the internet, make sure you verify your source and ensure the facts are reputable.

• www.dance-teacher.com
- Though this site has a blog and a forum built into it, its primary components are articles and information that range from health to marketing.

• www.danceruniverse.com/teachers/
- Offering a range of articles specifically targeted toward dance teachers, this site also houses a blog and information relevant to parents, dancers and dance enthusiasts as well.

Blog -- A weblog or blog is a personal journal often tied to a theme that is posted on the internet. Blogs are most relevant to users when they have targeted content, are updated frequently and viewers are allowed and encouraged to leave comments. Some blogs and other interactive websites have RSS feeds, which send messages to interested users every time there is an update in the news on the site.

• www.dancehere.com
- A wealth of news, reviews and resources in the dance world, this blog also offers an RSS feed to keep you updated.

• www.danztoday.blogspot.com
- Though new to the blog scene, DanzToday primarily offers information on advertising and marketing your dance studio or team.

• www.danceadvantage.wordpress.com
- Dance Advantage encourages teachers to take a holistic approach to dance by sharing innovative products, techniques and creative ideas that are both dance-related and indirectly inspirational. This blog also links to many other blogs about dance.

Directory -- Just as its name indicates, a directory website serves as a catalog on a particular topic. Easy to navigate and serving as a gatekeeper to a flood of information, the purpose of a directory is to point you in the right direction to get what you need as quickly as possible.

• www.dance.com
- Acting as the yellow pages for everything dance, visitors to this site can find the closest place to buy dancewear and take lessons. Additionally, Dance.com houses a dance community and a short listing of articles.

Forum -- An internet forum is an online space where people can hold a conversation through the posting of questions, comments and responses. Most forums are topic-based and some are monitored by a moderator. Forums are different than chat rooms because they occur one post at a time by one user at a time, whereas chat rooms house many people conversing on many topics in one location. They are also called message boards, discussion groups and bulletin boards.

• www.danceart.com/shoutout
- One of the most comprehensive forum sites in the dance community, this site offers specified forums that cover just about everything imaginable.

• www.dance.net
- A forum about everything dance, this site is very active and offers discussion strands for owners, teachers and those involved with sports-related dance.

• www.dancemom.com
- This forum is a community of dance moms with conversations ranging from dance music and college programs to competitions and health. There is also space for dance dads and a strand dedicated to boys and dance.

Social Media -- The main purpose of a social media website is to share electronic files with other people. This can include video, audio and pictures and is a good venue for demonstrating or sharing information that is not easily described in words. Many social media sites allow users to leave feedback just as blogs do.

• www.dancemedia.com
- Video of all things dance. From interviews and teaching techniques to contest winner video and show clips, DanceMedia.com offers six channels with a wealth of information.

• www.youtube.com
-- Search for dance moves, routines, performances, instruction or techniques and chances are it exists on YouTube.com. Channels dedicated to specific themes act as a library collected by a specific user. Subscribers to a channel can often find other pages filled with relevant information as well.

• www.danceplug.com
-- DancePlug is the first web-based dance network offering online dance classes dedicated to joining dancers, teachers, choreographers and dance fanatics across the globe.

Social Networking Sites -- These sites act as a community for people or companies to set up profiles in order to network with others who have similar interests or goals. Many of these sites allow users to link to other individuals thereby providing an online support group and easy-to-access cluster of people who speak the same professional language.

• www.myspace.com
-- This popular profile site allows users to post blogs, join groups (a search for "dance" found more than 5,000 groups) and find other people with similar interests through shared friends.

• www.facebook.com
-- With more than a million users, this social networking site allows people from around the world to share links, video, pictures and ideas.

• www.linkedin.com
-- Considered to be more of a professional networking site, LinkedIn offers an opportunity to post your experiences in resume format and meet other professionals through online groups such as Dance Industry Professionals Worldwide.

• www.twitter.com
-- This social networking site works on a smaller scale, allowing users to follow people and events of interest through "tweets" or updates from individuals on the site. Active twitters provide up-to-the-moment news and event announcements.

• www.namyz.com
-- Namyz lets users find reputable people in a specific industry and build a profile to promote and enhance their own reputations. Profiles are built with a past professional history as well as links to relevant websites with further information about the profiled person or the industry in which he or she works.

Subscription Sites -- Subscription sites offer a host of tools and resources on a particular topic and often encompass forums, blogs and social networking spaces. Users have to pay to access these sites, but the advantage of subscription sites is their managers are accountable to their customer base, so they are updated frequently with materials targeted toward their audience.

• www.dancestudioowner.com
- Covering everything from costumes and safety manuals to information on finding the right studio size, this site allows subscribers to download materials, participate in teleseminars, coaching calls, and access member-only materials. Everything you need to start, run, and grow your dance studio.

• www.danceteacherweb.com/index.html
- This subscription site gives members access to video with choreography ideas and techniques to help teach dance students.

• www.learntoballroomdanceonline.com
-- Targeted specifically toward ballroom dancers, this site houses videos of ballroom dance instruction, lists ballroom dancing events and helps dancers find partners.

• www.salsabootcamp.com
-- Tailored toward dancers at all levels, subscribers on this site can access thousands of online instructional videos, receive offers and discounts, and take advantage of discussion forums and a resource library.

Author's bio:

JoAnna Haugen is a freelance writer and former dance student who still finds herself quietly tap dancing when she stands in line at the grocery store. She has written for a number of publications, including Dance Teacher Magazine and Cheer Biz News.