Static vs. Dynamic Websites: What are They and Which is Better?

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There are many different types of website on the Internet and one way they can be divided as static site and dynamic site. The difference is not about the design; it’s about how it functions?

Static Websites

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A static website consists of a series of HTML files, each one representing a physical page of a website. So, if your website has 10 different pages, your website will have 10 HTML file, one file for each page. If two of those pages, contain the same titles and you want to update them, you would have to change the title twice, once on each page. This is fairly straightforward and it’s how all websites were built during the early years of the Internet.

Dynamic Websites

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Dynamic websites are mainly written in languages such as PHP to dynamically build a webpage right when an user visits the page. Basically, when the user goes to a certain webpage, the server finds different pieces of information in the database and puts it together to form a single cohesive webpage, which is what you see. This way of building web pages has several advantages.

The benefits of dynamic websites

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• Easier design updates
• Each part of a web page are separate, it is much simpler to update something across many pages
• If you have a change to your website’s sitemap, you only have to change it in the database and all the pages that contain sitemap is updated. More flexible data
• Dynamic site fits together different pieces of information to make a whole page, you can store your content in a mobile app.
• You can easily access and edit your content easily and have it load across multiple websites.
• Dynamic websites usually have content management system (CMS). Simpler for non-technical person to create and update content on the site. You won’t need to know any HTML to create a new page or article for site.

Are there any disadvantages to a dynamic site?

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It depends on why you want to build a website. Dynamic sites usually take longer to develop than static sites. However, in most cases any revenue you achieve from a static website will be burned away multiple times over for future site updates. If the site is simply for a limited-time promotion with only one or two pages, and will be taken down when the promo ends, static site might be better option. In most cases, dynamic sites pay off in the long run for individuals and businesses.