Static vs Dynamic Websites: What small businesses need to know

In the early days of the world wide web, all websites were created as simple static pages that displayed information without changing. But in the modern age of cookie-caching personalization, a more dynamic form of website has emerged. Today, nearly all websites can be categorized as either static or dynamic. These terms–static and dynamic–refer to…

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    In the early days of the world wide web, all websites were created as simple static pages that displayed information without changing. But in the modern age of cookie-caching personalization, a more dynamic form of website has emerged. Today, nearly all websites can be categorized as either static or dynamic.

    These terms–static and dynamic–refer to the way a website’s content is delivered to the end user, and when planning to build a website, determining between the two is one of the first decisions you’ll have to make.

    What it boils down to is structure and functionality.

    Static vs Dynamic websites: What’s the difference?

    The difference between static and dynamic websites lies in how they deliver and display content. Static websites, as the name suggests, have stable content where every user sees the same thing on each page. Dynamic websites, on the other hand, pull content on request, allowing content to change with the user.

    But it’s not quite that simple, and there are more gritty details we can get into.

    What is a static website?

    A static website is a collection of webpages built using HTML, CSS, and/or JavaScript, which are all examples of client-side web development languages. Every page on a static website is stored as a single HTML file, which is delivered directly from the server to the web page exactly as is. This “static” content essentially becomes a part of the design on your page and won’t change unless the original HTML file is edited at the source code.

    A silver MacBook Pro displaying a 404 error page
    In general, 404 error pages are static websites

    Given that a static website’s content is pulled directly from the server, this means the content will always look the same to every user or visitor to the site. But this doesn’t mean that static websites can’t be interactive. They can still have images and videos that play automatically, clickable hyperlinks, forms, downloadable content, and animations powered by CSS or JavaScript. With the support of a skilled coder, static websites can be appealing and professional.

    Examples of static websites

    Due to the direct backend process of static websites, they are suitable for content that doesn’t need to be updated frequently. Some examples of this are personal websites or blogs, nonprofit websites, purely informative websites, and one-off landing pages.

    What is a dynamic website?

    A dynamic website pulls content from a database or content management system (CMS) which then displays that content on its web pages. This allows for the content on each webpage to be delivered and displayed dynamically, or on the fly, depending on user behavior or pre-generated content.

    The Netflix home screen on a computer monitor
    The Netflix home screen, with its constantly changing content, is an example of a dynamic website

    Each page is built during the runtime of the content being delivered to the webpage. This way visitors of the same webpage can see different content that is unique to them based on criteria such as their location, time zone, settings and preferences, or how they arrived at the site.

    Dynamic websites are built using server-side programming languages such as PHP, Python, Ruby, or server-side Javascript, as well as client-side languages (HTML, CSS, Javascript). Although more steps are being taken to pull the content for the web page, everything is happening behind the scenes and the end user only sees the final webpage just like with a static website.

    Given the complexity of creating a dynamic website, often a developer or development team is needed.

    Since the dynamic content is held in a content delivery system such as a database or CMS, and then directed to the webpage, this content can be continually updated or changed from within the content delivery system.

    Depending on how the database or CMS is structured, the content can be changed or updated without having to alter the source code. This makes it possible to make changes across all web pages on a site at the same time since modifications made to one dynamic page can be automatically made across thousands.

    Examples of a dynamic website

    Dynamic websites are ideal for interactive web pages with lots of content or websites catering to multiple target markets. Some examples are multilingual websites, social media websites such as Instagram or Facebook, news sites, and streaming and eCommerce stores such as Disney Plus and Amazon.  

    Similarities and differences of static and dynamic websites

    We’ve covered the biggest difference, which is a dynamic website’s ability to display unique content catered to the user, whereas static web pages will always show the same content. But it is possible for static and dynamic websites to appear quite similar.

    A static website, if built with lots of content at the HTML code level, can appear just as rich and full as a dynamic website. However, due to the amount of work and time it takes to create each page of a static website, most will contain only a few web pages, whereas dynamic websites will more likely contain numerous web pages with lots of content.

    Dynamic and static websites are both constructed using the same programming languages. While dynamic websites require additional server-side languages, both types use HTML and CSS for their frontend framework. While both require development knowledge if they’re being created from scratch (with dynamic websites requiring much more coding), there are ways of creating static and dynamic sites using other tools to avoid heavy programming.

    Both website types can be made using website builders such as WordPress or Wix, which offer templates for easier and quicker ways to create static, dynamic, or hybrid websites (which we’ll get into later). If you do decide to build a static or dynamic website from scratch, a good web designer or web developer can be crucial to your website’s success.

    Static vs Dynamic websites: Advantages and disadvantages

    It’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both static and dynamic websites when looking to build a website. Although dynamic websites offer more capabilities, static websites shouldn’t be overlooked.

    two women talking while looking at a dynamic website on a laptop computer

    Advantages of static websites

    The advantages of static websites revolve around their simplicity. Because static websites aren’t connected to databases of organized content, they tend to be easier and faster to create. All that’s needed is some basic HTML coding knowledge. The only limiting factor to how quickly a static website can be published is how creative you want each page to be. This also makes static websites much more affordable to create, eliminating the need for costly development teams.

    Since the web pages are pulled directly from the server with no steps in between, static websites will have faster page loading speed. The lack of variation in content makes caching easier and–since page loading speed affects how Google assesses a website’s performance–it could lead to higher SEO rankings.

    The direct server-to-webpage approach also provides fewer access points for hackers to breach the site. This gives static websites a built-in potential for higher security that dynamic sites can’t offer.

    To summarize, static websites are generally:

    • More affordable to create
    • Feature faster page-loading speed
    • Lead to higher SEO rankings
    • And are more secure.

    Advantages of dynamic websites

    The advantages of a dynamic website are clear from the name. Dynamic content is more personalized and interactive, and can provide a better user experience. With the ability to tailor its content for each individual user, dynamic websites offer more functionality and users are more likely to engage and return to the website. It’s no secret that personalization correlates to conversion.

    Storing the web page content in a database or CMS makes updating the content much easier than with a static website and can often be done without coding. Maintenance and updates can be implemented quickly since multiple users will have access to the database where content can be changed without touching the structure or design of the website.

    This allows for multiple web pages to be updated simultaneously and is the key to one of dynamic websites greatest advantages: scalability. For websites with lots of content that will constantly change and grow, dynamic websites offer the most efficient means to achieve that.

    To summarize, dynamic websites typically:

    • Offer a better user experience
    • Include more functionality
    • Are easier to update
    • And are more scalable.

    Disadvantages of static websites

    Contrarily, the largest disadvantage of static websites is the lack of scalability. Anytime content needs to be updated site-wide, the individual HTML file will need to be altered for each individual page. Plus, if a new page needs to be added, that page will have to be manually created as a new HTML file. For websites with lots of content and the need to grow, this simply isn’t practical.

    Another disadvantage of static websites is the lack of personalization. With every web page appearing the same for every user, creating engaging experiences can be a missed opportunity.

    There are also some types of websites that just can’t be built statically. eCommerce websites that use shopping carts and checkout functionality, or streaming sites that provide different content to certain users simply aren’t possible with static sites without third-party tools or plugins.

    To summarize, static websites are typically:

    • Less scalable
    • Less adaptable
    • And lack personalization options.

    Disadvantages of dynamic websites

    The biggest setbacks of dynamic websites are the time, resources, and cost of creating them. The additional steps of connecting a database to the front end of the website mean more complex coding and building needs to be done.

    For people without the proper know-how, this will require a developer or development team. However, this can be made easier if a CMS is used, which can cut some of the build-time for the server-side coding. But whether you’re paying for a development team, a CMS, or both, the costs will be higher than a simple static HTML page.

    Another tradeoff of dynamic websites is website performance. With more processing needed to pull content from the database and then build the dynamic web pages, page loading will be slower than static counterparts. Although this problem has been greatly reduced since dynamic websites came on the scene, and there are dozens of ways to optimize site speed, it’s still something to keep in mind since site delays of fractions of a second can cause higher bounce rates.

    To summarize, dynamic websites are typically:

    • More costly and resource-intensive
    • More complicated to develop and launch
    • And slower to load, which could lead to higher bounce rates.

    Static vs Dynamic websites: Which should you choose for your small business?

    For a small business looking to build its website, the choice between static and dynamic depends on business goals. For startups or freelancers looking to get their message out there quickly and affordably, a static website is a good place to start.

    If your small business wants to engage diverse customers, is seeking to actively sell products and services, or is planning to grow exponentially in the future, a dynamic website will offer you much more flexibility and options.

    But deciding between static and dynamic websites doesn’t have to be a black-and-white proposition. Some sites take advantage of both types by using a hybrid approach.

    A hybrid website has certain web pages that are static, such as “About us” pages or one-off landing pages, while main pages remain dynamic and easily updatable. Some website builders let you choose between static and dynamic on a page-by-page basis, allowing businesses to reap the benefits of both types.

    Tips and mistakes to avoid

    Perhaps you’re looking to get your website up and running immediately with as little cost as possible, and a static website is looking like the best option. You know basic HTML coding and have a clear image of what you want your site to look like.

    But be wary of offloading hours into designing a static website at the source code level if, in the future, you’ll end up needing a much larger, more dynamic structure for your content. This will help save those tedious hours updating individual web pages when it could be done dynamically in one go.

    Don’t underestimate the importance of a well-designed website. Despite most websites you come across today being dynamic, both types provide the means for creativity and professionalism. A company’s website, from functionality to appearance, should reflect the company itself. Whether you choose to build a static or dynamic website, the challenges of web design will remain.

    Here are some common web design mistakes and how to avoid them as your website progresses.

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    Static or dynamic, expert web designers and developers are ready to help

    Between static websites’ limited simplicity and dynamic websites’ complex interactivity, both remain pertinent in our vast online world. Each type plays to its own structural advantages, but choosing between the two is ultimately subjective.

    Now that you understand the difference between static and dynamic websites, UpCity has the resources to help you with lists of top web designers and web developers who can help reach your business goal, whether you choose a static or dynamic site.