JD Web Design Studio

Static to Dynamic

As small business or charitable organization that is looking to have an online presence, you may be asking yourself "What really is the difference between a static and dynamic website?" This simple guide will give a common sense answer to this question.

Static Website

Static websites are typically called brochure-ware by web developers because they are very similar to print materials. This type of website provides very little user interaction, and it is more tedious to update. Visitors to the website only see new material when a new edition is released. This means that a web developer that knows something about the code XHTML needs to make changes. Static websites require less knowledge of the developer. This means that they are initially a less expensive alternative. Static development should only be considered for small websites.

Dynamic Website

Dynamic websites have several advantages. Blogs, Forums, and online stores are all examples of what dynamic technology can do. Most dynamic websites interact with a database that will allow the owner of the site to store loads of data. This data can be accessed through the website, allowing users to have a much more interactive experience. As a business owner, a dynamic website can help you collect data from your customers, send out mass emails, sell stuff, and do so much more. Although the initial expense of a dynamic website is greater than a static one, the cost has gone down significantly over the last few years. This is due to open source Content Management Systems such as Wordpress, Joomla, and Drupal. These CMS’s enable anyone with the ability to use a simple word processing program to change content on the fly. They level the playing field for small businesses that previously could not afford this level of functionality.

What is the Best Choice for You?

Whether you choose to have a static or dynamic website developed really depends on your current needs and budget. If you only wish to have a website that operates as a catalog that gives potential clients an idea of what your company does and you plan to rarely make changes to content, a static website is an affordable option. If you want to have total interaction with web users and want to make daily updates yourself, a dynamic website will save you countless dollars in the long run. Whatever you decide, JD Web Design Studio can help you with your web solutions.