It is common knowledge that there are two types of Web sites - sites with static Web content and sites with dynamically generated Web content. The Web content of a website includes text, graphics, menus, hyperlinks and navigation buttons.
Static Web Sites
The content of static Web sites is difficult of alteration as bulk of the content like text, graphic, and multimedia content are usually stored in HTML pages and not in databases. Changing the content on multiple Web pages will be tedious and time-consuming. There is also the risk of file overwriting and the possibility of important non-content areas like security code of the site getting corrupted.
The basic disadvantage of static web sites is the web pages are developed at the time of constructing the site. As such, all static website owners have to be abjectly dependent on Web professionals whenever any changes become necessary. Though the initial cost of setting up a static Website may not be costly, its long term maintenance will be expensive – more so, if the site owner wishes to effect changes at regular intervals.
Application areas of Static Website:
Need of Static web pages arises in the following cases:
- Changes to web content is infrequent
- List of products / services offered is limited
- Simple e-mail based ordering system should suffice
- No advanced online ordering facility is required
- Features like order tracking, verifying availability of stock, online credit card transactions, are not needed
- Web site not required to be connected to back-end system.
Static Web pages are very simple in layout and informative in context. Creation of static website content requires great level of technical expertise and if a site owner is intended to create static web pages, they must be very clear with their ideas of creating such pages since they need to hire a web designer.
Dynamic Web Sites
Dynamic-content Web site has the unique advantage of not having to precariously depend on Web professionals for effecting alterations to the Website. Dynamic-content Web site, though developed by Web professionals, can be maintained directly by the site owner. Unlike Static Websites, the initial setting up costs of Dynamic-content Web sites is quite high but there will be enormous saving in subsequent maintenance costs.
The owners will not be required to pay Web professionals every time a change in the Web content is needed. A dynamic website design will become necessary for online databases, e-businesses and online shopping sites. A dynamic web design page has the facility to change content by a program.
Application areas of Dynamic Website
Dynamic web page is required when following necessities arise:
- Need to change main pages more frequently to encourage clients to return to site.
- Long list of products / services offered that are also subject to up gradation
- Introducing sales promotion schemes from time to time
- Need for more sophisticated ordering system with a wide variety of functions
- Tracking and offering personalized services to clients.
- Facility to connect Web site to the existing back-end system
The fundamental difference between a static Website and a dynamic Website is a static website is no more than an information sheet spelling out the products and services while a dynamic website has wider functions like engaging and gradually leading the client to online ordering.
But both static web site design and dynamic websites design can be designed for search engine optimization. If the purpose is only to furnish information, then a static website should suffice. Dynamic website is absolutely necessary for e-commerce and online ordering.
Reference for Writing Static and Dynamic Web Content: Static and Dyamic Websites
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