Website Design Choices: Static or Dynamic?
Explore the difference between static and dynamic websites, and the pros and cons of each.
Main Entry: 1stat·ic
Pronunciation: 'sta-tik
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium
2 : showing little change <a static population>
3 a : characterized by a lack of movement, animation, or progression b : producing an effect of repose or quiescence <a static design>
Main Entry: 1dy·nam·ic
Pronunciation: dI-'na-mik
Function: adjective
1 : marked by usually continuous and productive activity or change <a dynamic city>
2 : of random-access memory : requiring periodic refreshment of charge in order to retain data
So you're thinking, what's all this Static and Dynamic stuff?
First, to illustrate very simply what a dynamic site can do, I've made this page dynamic by adding a simple text input box. Go ahead and put your name in it, click "Try It", then watch as your name appears below.
Pretty neat, huh? This is a really simple example of how a web page can interact with visitors.
The "Account Center Login" box on the side navigation bar of this page is another example of dynamic functionality. When a customer logs in, a couple of things happen. The user's credentials are authenticated by an external script. If it's valid, the customer is taken to their account. This website also saves a small bit of information about the customer in a session, or temporary cookie, so a nice little greeting can be displayed on every page to say, "Welcome, <customer name>."
Static and Dynamic, Defined
A static website is created from HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and looks the same for every visitor. Static websites can still contain some interactive elements like audio clips and contact forms. However they are not "dynamic" in the sense of tailoring the content to any one specific visitor.
- A static website requires less development time than a dynamic one with the same amount of content.
- Static websites are initially more affordable for small business owners.
A dynamic website is created using one of several scripting languages, such as PHP, ASP, Coldfusion, Javascript, or Perl. Dynamic websites change depending on the information it gathers from the visitor. The information can also be stored in a database for later retrieval.
Some common uses of dynamic web pages are:
- User Logins
- Shopping Carts
- Administrative Areas
- Forums / Message Boards
- Blogs
What a dynamic website can do for you...
A dynamic website is a powerful tool for your business that can provide extra functionality to increase sales and reduce the time needed for website maintenance.
Example: Customer Loyalty and Marketing Cost Effectiveness
A company called Cheez E Pizzas wants to send coupons to their website visitors who opt in to receive specials by email. To do that, we create a form that lets the visitor enter their name, email address, and their favorite kind of pizza. The results are stored in a database. When Cheez E Pizzas has a sale on Pepperoni pizzas, the dynamic script checks the database for all visitors whose favorite pizza is pepperoni. It then sends a coupon by email to just those visitors. The company has reached their targeted market and saved hundreds or even thousands by eliminating printing costs. The customer feels great about getting a discount and is more likely to return for future purchases.
How To Get Started
You'll need an account with a hosting provider that supports dynamic scripting (virtually all of them do) and a website developer that can turn your dreams into reality.
Just as there are many different languages around the world, there are also many different scripting languages such as PHP, ASP, and Coldfusion. It's usually better to hire your developer first, then purchase the appropriate type of website hosting.
That's it! Good luck with your project!