Static vs Dynamic Websites: Key Differences
The internet contains around 2 billion websites. When it comes to building a website, knowing which style of website works best for you and, more precisely, the functionality of your site may influence how you construct it.
Most websites can be classified as static or dynamic website, with a rising number of hybrid websites consisting of both static and dynamic web pages.
Static and dynamic refer to how websites provide and display material in the context of website development.
A static website design is one with consistent content where every viewer sees the same thing on every page. A dynamic website, on the other hand, is one in which content is pulled in real time, allowing it to change with the user.
What is a static website?
A static website is made up of websites generated in web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript. A static website stores each page as a single HTML file, which is delivered directly from the server to the webpage in its entirety.
This text essentially becomes a part of your page’s design and will not change unless the original HTML file is updated at the code level.
Manual changes to a static website can only be made page by page, HTML file by HTML file. For example, changes to a homepage’s HTML file will only be reflected on the homepage. This is true even for parts that are shared by the entire site, such as the footer.
Advantages of a static website
Speed
Static websites are very fast and efficient because they do not require any server-side processing or database queries, which means that they load quickly and require less bandwidth.
Security
Static websites are very secure because they do not have any server-side processing or database queries, which means that they are less vulnerable to attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting.
Simplicity
Static websites are easy to build and maintain because they do not require any server-side scripting languages, complex frameworks, or content management systems.
Reliability
Static websites are very reliable because they do not require any server-side processing or database queries, which means that they are less likely to experience downtime or crashes.
Disadvantages of static websites
Limited functionality
Static websites are limited in terms of functionality because they cannot be updated or customized on the fly, and they do not offer any dynamic features such as user authentication or e-commerce.
Difficult to scale
Static websites can be difficult to scale because they require manual updates and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome as the website grows.
Maintenance
Static websites require manual updates and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and require technical skills such as HTML and CSS coding.
SEO
Static websites can be challenging to optimize for search engines because they lack the dynamic content and structure that search engines prefer.
What is a dynamic website?
Dynamic websites are built with server-side language and technology, allowing the content of each page to be provided and displayed dynamically, or on-the-fly, based on user behavior or user-generated information.
A dynamic website organizes all of your data and content in a database or backend Content Management System (CMS) that connects to your website pages. The way this information is organized and linked to the design of your site determines how and when its content appears on a page.
Dynamic content, on the other hand, allows you to customize and personalize the website experience and what is presented for a given user. It also allows you to make changes to multiple pages at the same time, because changes made to one dynamic page are automatically applied to thousands more.
Advantages of a dynamic website
Functionality
Dynamic websites offer more functionality than static websites because they can be customized on the fly and offer dynamic features such as user authentication, e-commerce, and content management systems.
Customization
Dynamic websites can be customized to meet specific business needs or user requirements by using server-side scripting languages and database queries.
Scalability
Dynamic websites are more scalable than static websites because they can handle large amounts of data and traffic by using caching, load balancing, and other optimization techniques.
Good for SEO
Dynamic websites can be optimized for search engines by using dynamic content and structure, and by incorporating keywords and meta tags in the code.
Disadvantages of dynamic websites
Security
Dynamic websites are more vulnerable to security threats such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting because they require server-side processing and database queries.
Speed
Dynamic websites can be slower than static websites because they require server-side processing and database queries, which can increase loading times and require more bandwidth.
Complexity
Dynamic websites are more complex to build and maintain than static websites because they require server-side scripting languages, database queries, and content management systems.
Cost
Dynamic websites can be more expensive to build and maintain than static websites because they require more technical skills and resources, such as server hosting, database management, and software licensing.
Conclusion
Overall, static websites are a good option for simple websites that do not require dynamic functionality, but they may not be suitable for more complex websites or those that require frequent updates and maintenance. For more functionalities and options, dynamic website design is best suited. At FODUU we are an affordable website design company in India that provides static and dynamic website design and development services at affordable cost to our clients.
