There are important differences between a dynamic website and a static website that make each the best choice depending on your needs.
What's the best way for your small business to design and build a website? Would your business do better with a simple website that doesn't change? Or would your audience like a website that changes and grows more?
With billions of people attached to the internet, having a web presence helps businesses of all sizes compete on the same level. Both big brands and small businesses can use the same digital marketing techniques to reach their target audience. Small players can take the spotlight if they have the right digital marketing plan and carry it out well.
Websites – a modern business must-have
Currently, billions of web pages are vying for users' attention on the internet superhighway. How will your business stand out and connect with the people you want to reach? First, let's talk about the basics: Your official website for your business.
A Google study found that 83% of US shoppers looked up a business online before they went to its store. Think of your website as the front of your store, a catalog of your business, or a drive-through window. The only difference is that it can be accessed from anywhere with a stable internet connection.
People interested in your business, products, and services can find out about them on this website. They might sign up as leads or buy something from one of these websites.
Different kinds of websites exist. Each one is useful for a different kind of business. The most accepted types are dynamic and static sites. Choosing one or the other will help your business grow as long as it works for you and your customers.
Dynamic vs. static website – which one do you pick?
It can help you decide which website is best for your business if you know how websites work. Let's start with websites that don't change.
When a user types in a web page, their browser sends a request to a server, where a website's content is stored. The code for the web page is then sent from this server to a browser. The browser then shows the page to the viewer.
Static websites
In a static website, the server sends a web page based on HTML and other code that has already been written (CSS or JavaScript). The page content is ready on a user's server when they open their browser.
It is made up of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files, each of which represents a page on the website. If you need to change something on a static website, you'll have to do it on each page, even if the change is the same.
In the early days of the net, there were no dynamic sites. This kind of website is great for pages that don't change their content very often, like company profiles, blogs, or sites that mostly give information.
Here are some examples of static websites:
- Resume websites: A static web development method for resume websites is usually used to make a digital version of a traditional paper resume. Information about education and work history only changes sometimes enough to need pages that change in real-time.
- Portfolio websites:Like resume websites, portfolio websites can be made with a "static" web design that doesn't need to be changed or updated often.
- Splash landing pages:This type of landing page catches the user's attention and makes them want to click through to another page. Most of the time, these have a solid call to action to get people to go to the main website. A static web page is used to make a splash landing page, which doesn't need anything besides its informational content.
- Sites that can only be read, like blogs:Static websites are used to make sites that only give out information, not ones that need to be updated often, like news sites.
Dynamic websites
In a dynamic website, the server pulls data from a data source, loads it into a template, and makes the HTML code at the same time. It is called "on the fly" because it builds web pages on the spot as soon as a user types in a web address. PHP is a server technology that is often used for dynamic websites. It looks for bits of information, which it then puts on a web page.
A dynamic website is best for web pages with content that often changes and for sites that show different pages to each user, like social media sites where people can see their profiles.
Check out these examples of websites that change over time:
- Twitter:Social media sites like Twitter depend on user-generated content and let users customize their profiles. Dynamic websites can do all of these things.
- BBC: A dynamic web development method lets news websites update their content often, especially for breaking or changing stories.
- Netflix: Streaming sites like Netflix use a "dynamic web development" method to choose and show content based on a user's location, viewing history, etc.
- Amazon: Amazon and other marketplace platforms use customers' information to show products. Ads are also shown in a way that changes based on the user's age, gender, and search history.
But "dynamic elements" are not the same as a "dynamic website." Even if your website is static, you can add things that change, like forms and buttons, that users can interact with.
Should you choose a cheaper static site or a more flexible dynamic site? Let's take a look at both sides.
Static vs. dynamic websites: the pros and cons
Each way of making a website has its pros and cons. Knowing these can help you decide which is best for your business.
Pros of static websites
- Building them is easier and faster. HTML is all you need to make a static web page. In contrast to a dynamic website, you don't have to work on the programming languages browsers use to pull data and create web pages.
- More affordable. Most of the time, static websites are cheaper than dynamic websites because they are easier to make. Web page content doesn't need to be changed or updated often.
- It loads faster. Real-time, dynamic websites take a second or two delays to load than websites that don't change. Since static web pages were made and uploaded ahead of time, they load faster and have a lower bounce rate.
- Easier to rank in search engines. Static websites are easy for search engine crawlers to rank because the content is already there. You can also optimize your web pages more quickly if you do it before uploading them to servers. This could make it more likely that you will rank high on search engines.
Cons of static websites
- Adding or changing content can be a lot of work. Static web pages are more complex to change than dynamic web pages. Each HTML file is a separate page that has already been made, so if you need to change a design element on a page, you will need to change every single page. This can be boring, boring, and prone to mistakes.
- There is little room for customization. Users of the internet today want to be able to talk to websites. They want to see content that fits their needs and interests, and they want to be able to make changes to their profiles. These things can't be done on websites whose content has already been made and put on servers.
- Only a few options. Static websites generally have few features, which can be frustrating for users. Users would want to find out information, set up accounts, and buy things all at once. But you can now add fillable forms and other dynamic elements to static websites. However, dynamic websites still need to be more flexible.
- Less easy to climb. Static websites are harder to grow because they need to be updated or changed by hand.
Pros of dynamic websites
- It's easier to change and improve. In contrast to static websites, you can keep each page the same if you need to. Several web pages can be changed at the same time. You can change the content on your web pages much more efficiently with a content management system (CMS) and a dynamic website. You don't need to know HTML to run your site.
- You can focus on your content. Web apps make it easier for even people who need to be tech-savvy to keep a dynamic website up to date. This takes some work off your team's plate so you can focus on making good content and improving your SEO (SEO).
- Users can log in to the site. If you want to sell things on your website, users must be able to make profile pages with their account information. This would make it easier and safer for them to go shopping. If you went with a dynamic website, you could have this feature.
- Scalability that works well. Dynamic websites can be done without tedious work done by hand. Because of this, they are usually easier to grow than static websites.
Cons of dynamic websites
- It's harder to build. A dynamic website is harder to put together at first than a static one. You will need technical knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages, as well as the wording used on the server side.
- Building and hosting cost more. Due to how hard it is to make a dynamic website, it also costs more to build and host. Since you can easily update the pages with a CMS, you'll spend most of your money on development.
- Less time to load. Because they have a lot of features and functions, dynamic websites take longer to load than static ones. This could affect the bounce rate and, in the end, how users feel about the site.
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Weighing in each – how do you decide which one is good?
The best way to do something depends mainly on your goal and budget.
As we've already said, a static website is best for web pages where the content doesn't change often. Static pages are an excellent choice for a business website or a blog.
If you're running a limited-time offer, a static website is better than a dynamic one. You can take down the page when the promotion or campaign is over.
A static website is cheaper than a dynamic website because it doesn't have as many moving parts.
It may take longer to code and cost more to build a dynamic site than a static one. But if you plan to change your site's content often, like if you run an eCommerce site, an active site will save you money.
The money you save at first by having a static website will only make up for the extra time and work you'll have to put into updating and changing your web pages in the future.
It would help if you also thought about how the way you build your website will affect your SEO. Search engine crawlers find it easier to rank a static website because its content is already on servers. Crawlers see web pages the same way that people do. But the time and work it takes to update static web pages would be better spent on SEO, like making content marketing stronger.
Even though dynamic websites may not be more accessible for search engines to rank, they are more adaptable to changing SEO trends. You can easily change pages based on new optimization signals and spend more time and money making good content.
With its team of web developers and marketing experts, an internet marketing company can help you choose, build, and maintain a website that fits your needs, budget, and brand.
Key takeaways
More than half of the people in the world regularly use the internet. Maintaining a strong online presence has become a must for businesses. Start by making a website that fits your goals and helps with your online branding and digital marketing.
- Choose a static website if all you need is information, like telling people about your business and what it offers.
- Choose a dynamic website if you want one that you can often change that lets users log in and may have different features.
- Work with a digital marketing company with the skills and tools to help your business build the right website.
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FAQs
What's the difference between a static and a dynamic website? ›
The difference between static websites and dynamic websites is that static websites appear the same for every user that accesses them and only change when a developer modifies the source files, whereas dynamic websites can present different information to different visitors.
What is the difference between a static and dynamic website? ›A static website is one with stable content, where every user sees the exact same thing on each individual page. On the other hand, a dynamic website is one where content is pulled on-the-fly, allowing its content to change with the user.
What is an example of a dynamic website? ›Facebook and Twitter. Facebook and Twitter are also prime examples of dynamic websites that generate unique, personalized content for their users. On sites like Facebook and Twitter, your feeds are based on friends or accounts you follow.
Should my website be static or dynamic? ›Static sites are generally easier to host than dynamic ones, and they load faster for your users, meaning your search engine rankings will be higher, and your users will be happier. Why do they load faster? Simply put, because every page is already made; they're not being generated on the fly.
What is static website and dynamic website examples? ›| Static Website | Dynamic Website |
|---|---|
| Prebuilt content is same every time the page is loaded. | Content is generated quickly and changes regularly. |
| It uses the HTML code for developing a website. | It uses the server side languages such as PHP,SERVLET, JSP, and ASP.NET etc. for developing a website. |
A Dynamic Website (also referred to as a database-driven site) requires web programming and database design. A dynamic website contains information and content that changes, depending on factors such as the viewer of the site, the time of the day, the time zone, or the native language of the country the viewer).
Which is better static or dynamic? ›Typically, static IP addresses are best for businesses, which host their own websites and internet services. Static IP addresses also work well when you have remote workers logging into work via a VPN. Dynamic IP addresses are usually fine for most consumers.
What is the example of static website? ›Common examples of static websites include resume websites, portfolio websites, brochure websites, one-off landing pages, and other informational or read-only sites. These websites are small (three to four pages or fewer), limited in content, and don't require personalized content or frequent updates.
Is TikTok a dynamic or static? ›TikTok is a dynamic platform and allows for constant discovery.
What is a static website? ›What is a static website? Static web pages are made of “fixed code,” and unless the site developer makes changes, nothing will change on the page. Think of it like a brochure for a business. Static sites give a lot of the same type of information that you could get from a brochure, but it can't just change itself.
Is Google dynamic or static? ›
Even though Google is a dynamic website, it encourages site owners to incorporate static elements in their sites, in the form of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). While Google is considered a dynamic website, it may still have some static elements.
Is Netflix static or dynamic? ›Netflix is a pioneer in dynamic content. They use a variety of personalization tactics to engage and retain customers.
Is Facebook a static website? ›Is Facebook a static or dynamic website? Facebook is a dynamic website, meaning that its contents change regularly based on the user's browser settings.
Is Wikipedia static or dynamic? ›Dynamic websites are examples like Wikibooks, Wikipedia, or blog portals. They allow the usage of custom templates and actions in the server-site, such as logging and adding new data. Today, it's quite hard to find a website that wouldn't be dynamic-content based.
What makes Amazon a dynamic website? ›Amazon is a dynamic website because it utilizes an HTML script running in the browser as the website loads for every customer or client. However, an Amazon website can also be hosted on a static website for example Amazon S3 or GitHub Spaces if there is no server-side code like in the case of a dynamic website.
What is an advantage of a static site? ›Advantages of static websites
Static websites tend to be more secure. It's easier for search engines to rank static websites because they usually load faster. Building static websites doesn't require complex software. Static websites cost less to build.
On a Windows computer, type ipconfig /all within a command prompt. Find the “DHCP Enabled” text. If it says NO, you have a static IP address. If it says YES, you have a dynamic IP address.
What comes first dynamic or static? ›The static stretching is done to increase your flexibility while the muscle is most prone to increase in length. Then, the dynamic warm-up should follow to prepare your muscles for exercise. Whereas Blahnik recommends mainly using dynamic stretching over static stretching before a workout.
What is the primary difference between dynamic and static? ›Dynamic stretches use movement; static stretches don't.
Static means stationary, so static stretches isolate one muscle group at a time and hold a position rather than moving through a range of motion.
Static websites used to rule the internet. Nowadays, less than 2% of websites are static. This decline in popularity largely stems from easy-to-use dynamic website creators such as WordPress. However, static websites still offer a few key advantages that make them ideal for specific use cases.
Is HTML a static website? ›
A static website consists of a series of HTML files, each one representing a physical page of a website. On static sites, each page is a separate HTML file. When you visit the homepage, you are viewing only the actual homepage file.
Why do I need a dynamic website? ›A dynamic website allows you to update information easily and quickly. For example, you have a site that contains more than 50 pages, and you need to modify one menu on your site. It can be changed by anyone who knows about the HTML coding for the same. If you do this every time, it may be difficult to do so.
Why do we need dynamic websites? ›Dynamic websites are the easiest way to keep web content fresh. You can automate the duplication of changes from one page to others without changing the website's design. Users with database access can manage content without impacting the site's overall structure. Easy updates enable faster, easier maintenance.
Why do we need a dynamic website? ›Dynamic website development allows the page to display on almost any screen without compromising its visual appeal and intuitive layout. This includes rearranging buttons, reformatting text and typography, and resizing images to suit the visitor's display.
Is Craigslist a static website? ›A good example of a dynamic site, is Craigslist.org.
Are static websites safer? ›Static Websites
There is no code that runs on the server when the page is served up to the visitor's browser. This means there is no opportunity for an attacker to gain access to the web server through vulnerabilities in the site's code.
As such, it's vital that you follow proper security measures for your static website, as static websites can get hacked despite not containing sensitive data like payment information or users' credit card details.
Is Gmail a dynamic website? ›Gmail supports dynamic email, messages with interactive content. Dynamic email is sometimes called AMP for email. You can interact with dynamic email like you would a website. For example, you can reply to an event invitation, or respond to comments in a Google Doc, without leaving Gmail.
Is HTML static or dynamic? ›Static webpages are generally written in simpler languages such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, etc. Dynamic webpages are written in more complex languages such as CGI, AJAX, ASP, ASP.NET, etc. For static webpages, data does not change until someone changes it manually. Data is static in nature.
Is Twitter a dynamic or static? ›This means that dynamic websites interact with the user accessing the site and render content depending on the user's actions or settings. One example of a dynamic website is web apps. Take Twitter as an example: when you log in, it displays content just for you.
Is social media dynamic? ›
Social media feeds: practically everything we can see on social media is dynamic content, as it appears as a result of some user creating and publishing it.
Is Skype dynamic or static? ›It can be set to static, but only at the tenant level affecting all users. Interestingly, in Skype for Business Online, even though the PSTN Conference ID is static with ACP, and can be set to static globally with Microsoft PSTN Calling, the meeting URL is always dynamic.
Is Pinterest a dynamic website? ›What is Pinterest. Pinterest is a dynamic and intuitive social network that allows users to discover, organize and archive publications according to different themes and interests as a corkboard or idea box.
Is Yahoo a dynamic website? ›A very common example of dynamic websites is yahoo mail, gmail, google search etc.
Is CNN a static or dynamic website? ›Examples of dynamic websites include content-heavy portals (i.e., news resources like CNN), websites with user-generated content (i.e., social media platforms like Twitter), and various online services with user-driven content (i.e., online entertainment platforms like Netflix that offer recommendations based on ...
Is social media static? ›Static content includes all the material in your digital portfolio that basically never changes: a social media profile (not the feed), ebooks, a non-personalized landing page, a social media or banner ad, and a pre-recorded webinar.
Is Amazon a dynamic or static? ›A dynamic website will help you recommend products to your customers based on their past purchases or remind them about an abandoned shopping cart so that they can complete the purchase. That being said, a dynamic website example would be Amazon.
Which all websites are dynamic websites? ›Answer: The Computer hope main page is a dynamic website..
What are the two main types of website? ›Websites can be divided into two broad categories—static and interactive. Interactive sites are part of the Web 2.0 community of sites and allow for interactivity between the site owner and site visitors or users. Static sites serve or capture information but do not allow engagement with the audience or users directly.
When should you not use static? ›Static methods can't be used for abstraction and inheritance. You can't declare a static method in an interface or static abstract method in an abstract class. A static method cannot access non-static class level members, not its own, nor its base class.
When should you create a static website? ›
If you're looking to create a website for your business, portfolio, landing page or blog that's simple and informational, consider building a static website.
Which is more secure static or dynamic website? ›Static sites are more secure than dynamic sites. In most cases, they are much more secure. Static sites have less exposure to the Internet than dynamic sites. There is no database and no possibility of making a malicious request.
Are WordPress sites static or dynamic? ›WordPress uses a dynamic architecture, and there are databases for the websites made with this CMS. WordPress is suitable for creating dynamic websites with adaptive content.
Why is Wix a dynamic website? ›A dynamic page is a page that can change its content, while keeping the same design and layout. In Wix, any dynamic page that you add is connected to a collection in your Content Manager. This way, you can automatically populate all the pages you want, just by adding content to your collection.
What are the four major components of dynamic website? ›The four components required to create a fully dynamic web page are a web server (such as Apache), a server-side scripting language (PHP), a database (MySQL), and a client-side scripting language (JavaScript).
What does it mean when a website is static? ›What is a static website? A static website consists of a series of HTML files, each one representing a physical page of a website. On static sites, each page is a separate HTML file. When you visit the homepage, you are viewing only the actual homepage file.
What is the reason why Spotify is a static website? ›The app is served as a static resource: the app is the same for everyone (no server-side logic runs to build the content), the browser grabs it once and that's it.
Is Google a static or dynamic website? ›Even though Google is a dynamic website, it encourages site owners to incorporate static elements in their sites, in the form of Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). While Google is considered a dynamic website, it may still have some static elements.
What are 3 examples of static websites? ›Common examples of static websites include resume websites, portfolio websites, brochure websites, one-off landing pages, and other informational or read-only sites.
What are static websites good for? ›Advantages of static websites
Static websites tend to be more secure. It's easier for search engines to rank static websites because they usually load faster. Building static websites doesn't require complex software. Static websites cost less to build.
Is Amazon dynamic or static? ›
Amazon is a dynamic website because it utilizes an HTML script running in the browser as the website loads for every customer or client. However, an Amazon website can also be hosted on a static website for example Amazon S3 or GitHub Spaces if there is no server-side code like in the case of a dynamic website.
Do static websites need servers? ›Hosting a static website does not require web servers and can use content delivery networks to store content (HTML, CSS and JavaScript files), making it easy to scale with increased user traffic.
Is Craigslist a dynamic website? ›A good example of a dynamic site, is Craigslist.org.