Why Are Static Sites Different?

Static vs Dynamic Sites: How Are They Different?

The difference is that dynamic websites can change from user to user, or even when you reload the page.

Static websites are essentially just HTML pages that are build ahead-of-time, usually by the web developer. Their content doesn't change from user-to-user, or when you reload the same page.

Dynamic websites, on the other hand, will display dynamic content. Think of a social media website: the content you see is tailored to your account, based on what the algorithm thinks you want to see.

The History of Dynamic Websites

On the early internet (think Web 1.0 days, back in the 90s), most websites were static HTML, especially if they were made by individuals or small businesses. Their purpose was to present information to the user. Maybe sometimes they would include an external script or link to an image on another service for the purpose of e.g. displaying a guestbook, or a visitor counter. But aside from that, many websites didn't change from user-to-user.

Perhaps the most popular example of early dynamic websites would be ecommerce sites. Lots of businesses made the jump to online sales, and opted for dynamic websites that could process transactions online. This meant that they needed web pages that could serve dynamic lists of products, so that they could add new products any time & remove sold out products from the listings. They also needed to be able to accept payments via credit cards, as well as record shipping information.

Static Websites Explained

Static websites are still a popular & valuable option for your business. Many businesses opt for simple brochure websites, which present a sales pitch to users & give them the opportunity to contact you via phone, email, or contact form.

Pros of Static Websites

Static websites can often be faster, more secure, and cheaper to develop & maintain.

They can be faster because they don't have any backend code that runs before the page is served to the user. For instance, a website with dynamic content may need to rebuild the web page every time they serve it to you, since they won't know beforehand what content will need to be served. Static websites can avoid this altogether, as the web page was already built before the website was deployed.

Security is also simpler with static websites. Without any backend code, there are fewer possibilities for security holes. This is very different from, for example, a CMS-based website (or, a website build on a Content Management System). CMS softwares like WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, etc. allow custom plugins, user login & interaction, etc. These features can be very useful, but they must be properly secured. Static websites generally do not have these security concerns, outside of any external services they interact with (e.g. contact form services, headless CMS, etc).

Development & maintenance costs can be more affordable for static sites. With no need to develop a backend, time & costs can be focused purely on the frontend. Additionally, software backends will often need regular maintenance, especially updates. With no CMS software, custom plugins, or anything like that, updates are often not a concern for static websites.

Cons of Static Websites

Some downsides of static websites can include a lack of features that you might see on dynamic sites. Many popular features like ecommerce, user-generated content, and more typically require a dynamic site with backend software.

Additionally, if you want to be able to update the content on your static website, you may need to consult a professional developer to make those updates. Though, with headless software like DecapCMS, even static websites can be updated by non-programmers.

Choosing The Best Option For Your Website

You may choose to have either a static or dynamic website, depending on your unique needs.

If you need a website that provides information about your business, such as location, contact info, a list of services, and more, a static website is perfectly capable of meeting these needs. These kinds of static websites, often called brochure websites, are very common for businesses.

Though some businesses will require more. If you want to sell products online, allow customers to book appointments through your website, or allow users to log in & see information relevant to them, this may require a dynamic website.

Whatever your needs may be, Acworth Web Designs can develop a custom solution to meet your goals & help your business succeed online. If you're ready to get started, or just want a free consultation to see what kind of website you might need, you can contact us today!