Difference between Static website and Dynamic website?

June 13, 2015

There are number of websites in the market. The choice of selecting static or dynamic website is critical and hence crucial. When compared changes to static website can be done only by persons who have knowledge of web development. Dynamic websites are used where content changes frequently on run time.

The brief explanation to get an idea to choose which type of website you require for your business or organization.

What are Static Websites?

‘Static’ means informative sites, these websites once created, remain unchanged. In a static website each page is a detached article and there is no database to represent it. These types of web pages are written in HTML codes only. To make any corrections or editing on these kinds of websites you need to it with the HTML codes only at the back end of the website.They can only be edited with the help of template based and text editors or pay your web developer to make updates for you. Visitor can’t change content of website.(login registration will not be there). ex.W3schools

Advantages of static websites

  • Quick / Cheap to develop
  • Cheap to host

Disadvantages of static websites

  • Requires web developer to update site
  • Site not as useful for the user
  • Content can get stagnant

What are Dynamic Websites?

A dynamic website is written using more complex code — such as PHP or ASP — and has a greater degree of functionality. For instance, many dynamic websites can be controlled by a content management system. This means that you will potentially be able to make updates without needing any knowledge of HTML or any website software.
Each page of a dynamic website is generated from information stored in a database or external file. And the content management system that you may use to maintain your website directly modifies this stored information.
ex.facebook (Facebook is a dynamic website ,when ever we login,it will access the database to retrieve user specific information.)

Advantages of dynamic websites

  • Much more functional website
  • Much easier to update
  • New content brings people back to the site and helps in the search engines
  • Can work as a system to allow staff or users to collaborate

Disadvantages of dynamic websites (but really they are not considered as a disadvantages)

  • Take time / expensive to develop
  • Hosting costs a little more