Do you need a website but can’t understand the difference between static and dynamic websites? Good that you’re here. We will not only explain static vs dynamic websites but also which one will be the best for you.
The word “static” means something that is fixed. And the term “dynamic” means something that is changing constantly. The same thing is with static and dynamic websites. When defining static vs dynamic websites, we’re talking about the content inside of them.
In static websites, the content is fixed. Meaning you, as a website owner, cannot change it. It is variable though. We’ll talk about that below and in detail, how the content of a static website can be changed.
In dynamic websites, the content can be modified. This post will teach you about static vs dynamic websites’ working, prices, and other things you need to know.
Differences And Similarities
It’s essential to know about static vs dynamic websites’ differences and similarities because it’s easy to get them wrong.
Here are some static vs dynamic websites examples so you can understand better.
Static website examples:
- Portfolio sites
- One-off landing pages
- Read-only sites
If you own a static website you will be more reliable on the developer. Because the only way to change the content of a static website is to call the developer and tell them the changes you want. They will have to make changes to the code to make your static website how you asked them to.
Dynamic website examples:
- YouTube
These social media websites that we use on daily basis are dynamic. The content of a dynamic website keeps on modifying. Unlike static websites, a dynamic website’s content doesn’t appear the same for every user. It is changed based on their engagement. Let’s say that you’re subscribed to and frequently watch gaming videos on YouTube. On the other hand, your brother loves to watch food videos. YouTube has your and his data stored, about what you frequently watch. So, when you visit YouTube’s homepage on your phone you are more likely to see gaming videos. While on your brother’s phone, you will see more food videos in the recommendations.
Speed
It’s important that you know about static vs dynamic websites’ speed if you’re getting one. A static website loads and browses faster than a dynamic website. Now, why is that? When you visit YouTube’s homepage, it will have to fetch your data from the server and then display the content accordingly. While a static website shows the same content to everyone. It won’t be taking time to fetch your data from the server.
To decide upon the speed factor, you will have to consider your users’ priority. Would it be speed or engagement-based content? It depends upon what you’re making your website for.
Languages
If you’re here to know the difference between static and dynamic websites as a newbie programmer, you probably want to know about the languages.
For static websites, you will have to learn HTML, CSS, any CSS framework (such as Bootstrap), and Javascript (frontend).
For dynamic websites, you will have to learn backend languages, such as PHP, Python, Node.js, etc along with the ones you’d learn for static websites. Languages, such as HTML and CSS, used in both websites are similar.
There’s no such thing as a dynamic or static developer. Website developers are classified as frontend, backend, and full-stack developers. Learn to create a static website first, then go for a dynamic website.
Pros and Cons of Static Websites
Like everything, static websites have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of static websites:
- Cost-effective. Static vs. dynamic websites’ prices differ. A developer will charge you less for a static website as it is simple and quick to set up.
- One of the advantages of static websites is that they’re faster than dynamic websites.
- Excellent for SEO. Say you build a landing page which includes relevant keywords. The user is more likely to stay on your page if it loads faster. Therefore, static websites are great for marketing campaigns.
- Less likely to get hacked. Since there is no database, static websites are less vulnerable to hacking.
Disadvantages of static websites:
- The content can get old. You’ll have to contact the developer and pay for their services to add new content or modify the existing one.
- One of the major disadvantages of static websites is that user interaction is very limited. This may discourage the audience from using your website.
- Prone to errors. If your static website needs updating, the developer will have to make changes to the code. The new code can override or disturb pre-existing code leading to bugs.
- Limited functions.
Pros and Cons of Dynamic Websites
If you’re still unclear about static vs dynamic websites’ features, this should clarify everything.
Advantages of dynamic websites:
- The content can be changed without the developer's help. There’s a control panel for dynamic websites, from which you (as a website owner or manager) can make changes to the content. A password secures the administrative panel.
- One of the major advantages of dynamic websites is that they are more interactive than static websites. If your dynamic website shows content according to the users’ activity, they will be more likely to use your site frequently. A plus point is if they can customize a few things. People might visit your site frequently if they can customize what they see, like dark or bright modes.
- They are better for the future as making changes takes a few seconds.
Disadvantages of dynamic websites:
- One of the biggest disadvantages of dynamic websites is that they are vulnerable to hacking. Since dynamic websites have databases storing customers’ information, hackers are more likely to break in. So you must get it tested by a security analyst, especially for e-commerce websites as they have billing and address information.
- Speed is another factor that puts static websites ahead in the static vs dynamic websites competition. Since they have to fetch data from the server, dynamic websites take longer to load.
- Price. Since dynamic websites are more complex to build, a developer will charge you more.
You don’t have to worry about the cost of building websites now. Strikingly has got your back. Whether it’s a blog or an online store, you can build it without paying a developer. Strikingly offers awesome templates that you can modify according to your liking. The drag-and-drop features don’t require you to know even the “C” of coding. No pun intended.
Image taken from Strikingly website
What makes Strikingly better? The pricing plans. Even though you can build your website for free, who would say no to excellent features in just a few dollars per month?
Image taken from Strikingly website
Simply sign up for free and explore the templates. Select the one you like and make changes to pre-existing elements.
Image taken from Strikingly website
Once you’re done designing it, you can publish your site by clicking on the publish button.
Image taken from Strikingly template
Wait, there’s more. If you want your customer's feedback on your services or products, Strikingly enables you to have forms and feedback section on your website.
Are Blogs an Example of Dynamic Websites?
Yes, blogs are a great example of a dynamic website. Frequently making changes to a website, whether from the control panel, to change the layout of an article, or uploading a new blog post every day or week, make it a dynamic website.
Can Blogs Be Static?
Yes, the home page of a blog can be static. Where all the information is written about a blog, for example, what it is about. Most websites can be both dynamic and static, like blogs. As we explained earlier, when talking about the kind of website, we primarily mean its content.
You may keep one page of your site, mainly the homepage, static as it won’t require frequent changes. And the content on other web pages can be dynamic.
Which One to Go For?
Hope that you’ve understood everything about static vs dynamic websites’ features, pros, cons, etc. If you’re building portfolios or landing pages, we suggest you go for static websites as they don’t require frequent changes.
If you’re building a blog or an online store website for your business, it’s better to stick with dynamic websites. As for blogging and e-commerce sites, content constantly needs to be updated. And you wouldn’t want to share half of your income with the developer.
If the kind of website you want doesn’t qualify for the ones discussed above, there’s a simple way to decide. Get a pen and paper and write down the features of a static and dynamic website. Considering your audience, decide what will be their priority. Put a check beside the features your audience would like, then go for the one with the most check marks. Or use a combination of both.
Can You Convert Static Website Into Dynamic?
Yes, you can convert your static website content to dynamic. If you don’t have any coding experience, you need to contact a developer, preferably the one who built this site for you. It might cost you some money, but you can modify it in the future.
Now that you’re clear about the differences and similarities between static and dynamic websites, ask yourself what would be your audience’s priority and if you will be updating the content frequently. If it’s speedy loading and your website won’t need constant updating, go for the static website. Else, dynamic would be a better choice.
