Here you will learn about difference between static and dynamic websites i.e static vs dynamic web pages.
We know there are many types of websites, but on a basic scale they are divided into two kinds viz. static and dynamic websites.
What are Static Websites?
A static web page is a web page that is delivered to the user exactly as stored. These websites contain fixed number of pages and format of web page is fixed which delivers information to the client. This kind of websites created from HTML and CSS coding on simple text editors like notepad. There are no databases or external files that are drawn upon. Example: an organization site, institute site etc. Web pages which don’t usually require maintenance or updating are usually static websites.
Advantages
- Easy to develop
- Cheap to develop
- Cheap to host
- Requires very less data to store on the server
Disadvantages
- Requires web development expertise to update site
- Site not as useful for the user (not user friendly)
- Content can get stagnant
What are Dynamic Websites?
A dynamic website is a website that not only uses HTML and CSS, but includes website scripting as well such as PHP, ASP, JSP etc. At a basic level, a dynamic website can give the website owner the ability to simply update and add new content to the site. Dynamic features of a site can only be restricted to imagination. Some examples of dynamic website features could be: content management system (CMS), e-commerce system, bulletin/forums/discussion boards, intranet or extranet facilities, ability for clients or users to upload documents, ability for administrators or users to create content or add information to a site (dynamic publishing).
Advantages
- Much more functional website
- Much easier to update
- Can connect to a database and Content Management System
- New content brings people back to the site and helps in the search engines
- Can be used as a system for users or professionals to collaborate
Disadvantages
- Slower, more expensive to develop
- Hosting costs a little more
Difference between Static and Dynamic Websites
| Static Websites | Dynamic Websites |
| They contain fixed number of pages and themes. Also their content is fixed in size and data. | These websites can create webpages within themselves during the runtime (dynamically). Also the content of the webpage can change on run time. |
| Comparatively quicker as it only has markup-language code in its source which doesn’t require the server to process it more. | These websites may take some time to load as it requires for the server to process and create content dynamically. |
| Database management system isn’t used in static websites. | They use database management system dynamically. |
| Here only the communication is between the server and the client, thus comparatively secure. | As these websites require the user/client to share data with the server, these websites turn out to be comparatively less secure. |
| Comparatively easy to develop as it doesn’t require server application languages and can only be build using HTML and CSS. | They require skilled personals to develop and maintain the websites. Also these developers have to ensure security of the application and the database system. |
| To add new content to the website or to add new web pages, the developer has to upload new webpages on the server. | Content Management System (CMS) is a big advantage of Dynamic Websites as it doesn’t require developers to rebuild the webpage and can be done using server side applications. |
| These websites are comparatively cheaper to host as less amount of data is required to be stored on the server. | Can be comparatively expensive as requires comparatively more data to be stored on server and also requires server side applications. |
| Examples: Websites of small organizations and institutions which don’t require much maintenance and updating of content and webpages. | Examples: E-commerce websites, forums, bulletin and discussion boards. |
Comment below if you have doubts or found any information incorrect in above difference between static and dynamic websites article.
Wrong perception in Image View because Database is either inside server or server is connected to database. Database is not directly connected to client.
I have corrected it, thanks Ahmed.