Introduction
Occasionally, I'll get a call from a prospective client who is interested in having a new website made. One of the first questions I ask in this scenario is the following:
"Do you want the website to be static, or dynamic?"
Or in other words, "Do you want us to update the site for you, or do you want to be able to add and edit content yourself?"
The distinction can still be a bit confusing for those who aren't familiar with web development, so let's break it down a little more:
The Static Website
A static website is a site that is made of "static" HTML files. These kinds of sites are typically not updated more than a couple times a year, usually for minor things like adding a new phone number or changing operating hours. Because a static website is made of simple HTML files, there is no editing interface built in. This means any content updates would need to be completed by the web developers at NLD. A static website is a good choice for clients who are creating small brochure-style websites that don't have a lot of information that needs to be updated often. These also have the benefit of being less expensive to develop up-front.
The Dynamic Website
A dynamic website is a site that has a complex CMS (content management system) powering it. Here at NLD, we prefer to use Drupal as our CMS of choice. The CMS allows for users all of skill levels to manage the site content using a simple editing system called a WYSIWYG editor. A dynamic website also provides flexibility for the future, making it simpler to add new content over time. A dynamic website is usually a good choice for clients who require larger websites that need frequently updated content: think features like blogs, galleries, etc. The downside of a dynamic website is that they are a little more costly to develop up-front.
Summary & Conclusion
Let's summarize what we just learned:
| Website Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Static Website | Less expensive to create up-front, ideal for small websites that don't update often. | Requires a developer to edit, not as easy to add features or content to the site at a later date without additional hourly costs |
| Dynamic Website | Allows clients of all skill levels to update the website, ideal for larger websites that need complex functionality and frequent updates | More expensive to create up-front, clients may need a little training to get started (training is included with all sites created by NLD) |
Interested in working with us? Give us a call today and let's discuss your next web project!