STATIC: showing little or no change; lacking movement or vitality
DYNAMIC: active, potent, energetic; the opposite of static.
Static Websites in a Nutshell
Once upon a time, the Internet consisted solely of static websites. Static sites contain a fixed amount of pages and display the same pre-built content each time the page is loaded. The content of a static page never changes until the Web developer updates the site manually.
There are many static websites on the Internet. This type of site is used mostly by businesses who wish to show a specific, contained amount of information to users online.
You might be looking to develop a static website if you want the following:
- Simple delivery of information without a lot of bells and whistles
- A site which is relatively basic
- Information contained in the website which doesn’t need to be changed or updated much
- Printed marketing materials re-created in an online accessible format
Advantages
Cheap to develop
Cheap to host
Quick to build
Disadvantages
Requires web development expertise to update site
Site offers limited interaction for users
Infrequently-updated sites rank low on search engines
The Difference in Dynamic Websites
Quite the opposite of their static cousins, dynamic websites are built in a way that allows the site content to be updated and changed easily. At a basic level, a dynamic site might employ a Content Management Systyem (CMS) that gives the website owner the ability to update and add new content to the site without having to pay a developer to make these changes.
A dynamic website might allow clients or users to upload pictures, comment on the content of the site or display unique content to different users, based on their response to a web form; it might use discussion boards or employ a log-in system to allow members to interact with the site in a unique way. Interactive elements (drop-down menus, shopping carts, fillable forms and surveys) are possible only on a dynamic website. Features are only limited by the imagination.
You might be looking to develop a dynamic website if:
- The content of the site will be regularly growing and changing
- You want to integrate E-commerce on your site (have an online store)
- There will be user or administrator-generated content (discussion boards, news)
- You want to rank higher in search engine results (growing sites do this)
Advantages
Much more functional than a static website
Much easier to update
New content brings users back to the site
Disadvantages
More expensive to develop
Can be more expensive to host
Takes more time to build
A fantastic, professional website can be generated with either static or dynamic programming. Consider both the present and future role of your website in your business as you decide how best to develop your site.