Approximately 1.234 billion websites exist on the internet today, with an average of 10 new sites being created every second, as reported by Internet Live Stats.
I doubt you should have accessed even 1% of that, correct?
It is possible to categorize blogs, corporate websites, e-commerce, or portals into two main groups based on how their content is updated: static sites or dynamic websites.
If you have ever had to make a website for yourself or a client, you might already be familiar with these terms. Or perhaps you have wondered about them before.
- Is it preferable to have a static website or a dynamic one?
- What distinctions exist between them?
- What are the benefits of each and which one is more user-friendly?
- What are the latest market trends and innovations in this area?
I will search here to address these questions (and maybe more). Let’s begin with the source of everything.
The beginning of everything (on the internet)
Do you have knowledge about the origins of the internet?
The concept of the internet was actually developed in 1969 at an American laboratory called Arpanet, where the first email in history was sent between two professors from universities.
Despite its intriguing concept, this “network” was not inclusive or easily accessible to the majority of people. It was closely tied to the U.S. Department of Defense and served as a communication tool during the Cold War for academics and military personnel. Without it, our internet communication capabilities today would be much more basic.
The rules of the game shifted significantly later on. The European Laboratory of Particle Physics (Cern) and scientist Tim Berners-Lee played a key role in making internet information accessible to all users, democratizing and opening up the web.
The World Wide Web emerged, commonly known as the WWW.
During this initial stage, websites were not user-friendly, featuring plain text pages with blue hyperlinks. By today’s web design standards, these websites would be considered lacking in aesthetics and interactivity for users.
It could be argued that they were more than just text files viewed by the browser; to update content, the website code had to be changed. These were essentially static websites using HTML.
Internet advancements
How can website updates and modifications be made more dynamic and simple?
The resolution to these issues was quickly found.
The initial solution to this issue involved creating HTML code on the server in response to user actions, resulting in the birth of CGI (Common Gateway Interface).
Despite being dynamic, there was limited user interaction as the website only responded to specific actions and had lengthy processing times.
It only took a little bit to get people hooked on the internet. As internet speed improved, users wanted more interaction and control, leading to a demand for solutions to fulfill these needs.
How can you make the website more engaging for users?
Web 2.0 emerged, bringing us closer to the way we live now.
The term originated during the rise in popularity of blogs, driven by a growing desire for community building and greater user engagement.
The internet has evolved into a platform for interaction and content creation, with social networks representing this shift towards active public participation.
Statics versus Dynamics
Can you distinguish between a static site and a dynamic site by examining their history? To the casual observer, they may appear to be the same.
The static and dynamic terms are closely connected to how content is made available on the website.
We provided a comparison below to assist you with this query.
Key characteristics of static websites:
- Content that is manually added, modified, or removed in the website code, such as adjusting the layout or content, requires the expertise of a technician.
- There is no content management system.
- Interpreted exclusively on the user’s device.
Key Characteristics of Dynamic Websites:
- Content is modified or removed automatically using server scripts, which utilize languages like PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, and others.
- Using a content management system.
- The site is preprocessed on the server and then interpreted on the user’s device.
The benefits and expenses of remaining stationary
Static websites offer the benefits of quick loading times and cost-effectiveness in development.
If there is a requirement to update the content, maintaining it can be costly. They are mainly utilized by individuals looking to showcase their portfolios, service details, and contact information.
A static site is primarily coded in HTML, but nowadays it commonly incorporates Javascript for interactivity and CSS for styling.
Benefits
- Fast loading time.
- Development costs are inexpensive.
- Servers can be less expensive or even available at no cost.
- Ability to adjust to contemporary designs that align with current trends.
- Rarely stay away from the sky.
- Maintenance expenses are minimal when frequent updates are unnecessary.
Expenses
- The maintenance expenses can be significant when frequent technician updates are required.
- If you do not update it regularly, you can invest in SEO to increase visibility to searchers.
- There is no content management system available.
- Consult with a web design expert to update the dependency.
- There is no database available to store data through user interaction.
The benefits and expenses of being dynamic
On a dynamic website, the content of pages is loaded automatically through processing on the hosting server, known as content built on the fly when the page is requested by the browser.
The website relies on a content management system (CMS) to allow customer interaction and content updates. Typically, the CMS is hosted on the same server as the website, which may result in higher hosting costs compared to a static website.
Benefits
- Customer can update content without needing technical assistance.
- There is a strong chance to customize the layout and incorporate plugins on the website.
- More engaging to attract and keep users on the website.
- Content organization.
- Option to assign accountable users to content modification.
Expenses
- The price of development is consistently higher due to its more time-consuming production process.
- Relying on a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, or similar platforms for updating content.
- Hosting expenses are greater in comparison to a static website.
- Content must be backed up to avoid losing data in the long run.
- You may decrease speed if you are underdeveloped or have included excessive features.
Moving from one realm to another
There is a new trend in web technology that suggests updating static sites dynamically, which I believe has great potential for growth in the future.
The main concept here is to combine the advantages of static sites, such as speed, security, scalability, and low cost, with the dynamism and user-friendliness of dynamic sites with content management systems for the client.
Several technological methods are available for this purpose, with new concepts emerging constantly.
Some new approaches such as content management systems, API connections, and the JAMStack movement advocate for using integrations to add dynamism to static websites without traditional backend technologies. JAMStack stands for JavaScript, APIs, and Markup, focusing on enhancing static sites with dynamic features.
Our primary goal in Netzei is to create a quicker, more secure, and engaging internet experience for users.
Our aim is to create digital solutions that can support small businesses. To achieve this, we have created a distinctive platform in Brazil that can convert static websites into dynamic ones, offering increased speed, security, and scalability for our clients.
Conclusion
I discussed the key distinctions between static and dynamic websites, as well as delved into internet history and emerging trends in the web market. I also examined the pros and cons with you.
I trust that I have provided you with useful information on creating a website or have helped you gain a better understanding of it. If you found the article helpful, please share it with your friends. Stay updated on hosting and website technologies by following All About Website Hosting on social media. Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.
Publication date: 17/08/2017 (last updated on 15/09/2021)
Concepts are identified using tags.
