Website Design & Development Services

When it comes to planning how to make a website, knowing which type of website works best for you, and specifically for the functionality of your site may affect how you choose to build it. Most websites can be defined as static vs dynamic websites, with increasing numbers being termed hybrids—meaning they are made up of a mixture of static and dynamic web pages.

In the context of website creation, static and dynamic refers to the ways in which websites deliver and display content. The key difference between static websites vs dynamic websites is that static websites have stable content, where every user sees the exact same thing on each individual page (like a privacy policy), whereas dynamic websites pull content on the fly, allowing its content to change with the user.

Static vs. dynamic websites

The underlying mechanisms and capabilities of static and dynamic websites differ significantly, impacting factors such as interactivity, customization, scalability and maintenance requirements.

Static websites consist of fixed content stored on the server and delivered to the user without any server-side processing. These websites are simple and easy to host but lack interactivity and require manual updates. Dynamic websites, on the other hand, generate content on the fly using server-side processing and databases. They offer interactivity, personalized content and dynamic features but are more complex to develop and maintain.

What is a static website?

A static website is made up of web pages created using HTML, CSS and Javascript (all examples of web development languages). Each 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 content essentially becomes a part of the design on your page, and won’t change unless the original HTML file is edited at a code level.

Changes to a static website can be done manually, and will only be made page by page, HTML file by HTML file. For example, edits made to the HTML file of a homepage will only be reflected on the homepage. This is true even for elements that are identical across the whole site, such as the footer. If you’re using a website builder, changes to static pages will be made automatically every time you use the website editor.

One of the most characteristic aspects of a static site is that every user receives and views the exact same content. Because of this, static websites work best for sites with fewer pages that don’t require frequent updates or changes.

A good candidate for a static site is a resume website. This is a type of site with set content for each page and doesn’t require many changes to individual pages, or real-time updates based on user behavior. Other examples of common static website types include personal websites, nonprofit websites and purely informative websites (good examples of these include one-page or landing page sites).

Advantages of a static website

Static sites are back—well, in some situations—and we’re going to go over several main reasons for this comeback.

Faster page loading speed

The makeup of a static page prioritizes load speed, resulting in a better browsing experience. Because the content on this type of site is pre-written and delivered directly from the server, caching is easier and the content is less likely to load with delays or UX issues, such as broken images.

In general, static websites require less server power, and with no database or client-server infrastructure to run through, they’re naturally faster. Since page load speed is a key part of the way Google assesses a website’s performance (and it seems to be having a more significant impact on SEO and ranking performance, too) this ability should not be underestimated.

Quick creation

When you are thinking about how long it takes to build a website and time is an issue, a static website is easier to get live quicker. Static websites are faster to create and publish since they are less complex and don’t need to be connected to databases of organized content. This is even more true if built on a WYSIWYG platform.

All that limits the time to go live with a static site is how creative you want to be with each page design. This doesn’t mean making a dynamic alternative will be a slow process, but static pages tend to be simpler and consequently faster to deploy.
Lower hosting costs

Static websites can be incredibly wallet-friendly when it comes to hosting fees. Because they don’t rely on databases or heavyweight backend processes, they require fewer server resources. This often translates to using lower-cost hosting plans or even free hosting solutions, depending on the scale of your site.

When paired with a Content Delivery Network (CDN), static websites enjoy faster global load speeds without driving up costs. This combination is especially appealing for small businesses or creators working with a limited budget while still aiming for a reliable and high-performing web presence.

Potential for enhanced security

In theory, static website pages are potentially more difficult to hack. This is because there are fewer points to attack them from. We’ll explain;

Static pages don’t connect with a database or use external extensions and plugins—all of which can be common entry points for attacks. In comparison, dynamic sites are not inherently unsafe, but potential attackers theoretically pose less risk with a static website.

Disadvantages of a static website

Having been through the benefits of a static site, we are now going to cover some of the disadvantages below.

Limited scalability

One of the largest disadvantages of a static website only comes into play with larger, content-heavy designs. While it’s possible to build hundreds of pages with a static website, it will always be a slow and long process. This is less relevant if you’re learning how to make a personal website though.

Every page on a static website has to be built as a separate entity. For a site with multiple pages, you would need to create each page individually.

Less efficient management
Static websites may be quicker to create, but they can be more time-consuming to manage. Edits to a static website need to be made page by page, and as websites are loaded with more content, or rapidly changing content, this becomes a much more challenging—and in some cases, near impossible—task.
What is a dynamic website?
Built using server-side language and technology, dynamic websites allow for the content of each page to be delivered and displayed dynamically, or on-the-fly, according to user behavior or from user-generated content.
With a dynamic website, all of your data and content are organized in a database or backend content management system (CMS), which connects to your website pages. The way this information is arranged and connected to your site’s design controls how and when its content is revealed on a page.
What does all of this mean? Well, dynamic content gives you the ability to customize and personalize the website experience, and what is displayed, for a specific user. It also allows you to make changes to many pages at the same time, since modifications made to one dynamic page can be automatically made across thousands.
For example, dynamic websites enable you to choose which information is displayed to a user based on their location. You can also deliver content to users based on their current or past actions on your site (thanks to cookies), which essentially means each visitor sees a different view of the content on a page. A multilingual website is a great example of when creating a dynamic website might be relevant.
When to choose a static website
Static websites are ideal for simple informational websites that don’t require frequent updates, such as portfolios or brochure sites. If you’re running a small business and need an online presence with basic details like contact information, services and a map, a static site can be cost-effective and efficient. They’re also perfect for landing pages created for marketing campaigns, where content remains consistent, and the focus is on driving conversions with a cohesive design.
When to choose a dynamic website
If your website needs user logins or provides personalized content, such as dashboards or customized recommendations, a dynamic site is the way to go. For businesses running an Commerce platform, dynamic functionality is essential to handle product listings, shopping carts and payment processing. Similarly, blogs that include user comment sections, search features or other interactive elements require a dynamic framework to manage and display content seamlessly.
When to choose a hybrid website
A hybrid website combines the best of both static and dynamic approaches. Consider a hybrid approach if you want to balance the high performance and low cost of static pages with the power and flexibility of dynamic features. This setup works well for businesses that need fast-loading pages for general content but also want interactive elements like user accounts, forms or personalized recommendations in select areas.
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