Monster Graphics Blog

Static, dynamic, CMS ...qeh?

Simon J - Thursday, December 15, 2011

The intention of this post is to clarify the important differences between 'static' and 'dynamic' websites and what a 'CMS' is.

Static Website

A static website's pages are stored on the web server in the format that is sent to the client web browser (e.g. Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Etc.). Static websites are primarily coded using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), which must be edited directly to make any changes to the website's content. This is not to say that a static website cannot be interactive and highly engaging, it certainly can and that's where good design comes in.

Dynamic Website

A dynamic website is one that changes or customizes itself frequently and automatically, based on certain criteria. Variable content is displayed dynamically on the fly based on certain criteria, usually by retrieving content stored in a database. Dynamic websites can have two types of dynamic activity: Code and Content. Dynamic code is invisible or behind the scenes and dynamic content is visible or fully displayed.

• Dynamic Code

  A website with dynamic code refers to its construction or how it is built, and more specifically refers to the code used to create a single web page. A dynamic web page is generated on the fly by piecing together certain blocks of code, procedures or routines. A dynamically-generated web page would recall various bits of information from a database and put them together in a pre-defined format to present the reader with a coherent page. It interacts with users in a variety of ways including by reading cookies recognizing users' previous history, session variables, server side variables etc., or by using direct interaction (form elements, mouse overs, etc.). A site can display the current state of a dialogue between users, monitor a changing situation, or provide information in some way personalized to the requirements of the individual user.

• Dynamic Content

  A website with dynamic content refers to how its messages, text, images and other information are displayed on the web page, and more specifically how its content changes at any given moment. The web page content varies based on certain criteria, either pre-defined rules or variable user input. For example, a website with a database of news articles can use a pre-defined rule which tells it to display all news articles for today's date. This type of dynamic website will automatically show the most current news articles on any given date. Another example of dynamic content is when a retail website with a database of media products allows a user to input a search request for the keyword Beatles. In response, the content of the web page will spontaneously change the way it looked before, and will then display a list of Beatles products like CDs, DVDs and books.

The main purpose of a dynamic website is automation. A dynamic website can operate more effectively, be built more efficiently and is easier to maintain, update and expand. It is much simpler to build a template and a database than to build hundreds or thousands of individual, static HTML web pages. 

CMS (Content Management System)

A CMS (Content Management System) can be thought of as a private layer of functionality 'above' the website that enables regular timely maintenance (adding, editing, deleting) of part or all of the website content and/or website interface behaviour, without the need to access or understand the language syntax of the underlying programming or database structure.

Will visitors notice any difference?

Dynamic CMS websites usually present fresher content that's more relevant to the each visitor's needs and interests. This is because dynamic websites can react to visitor input and CMS enabled websites are simpler, faster and thus less expensive to maintain. So a properly implemented dynamic CMS driven website is likely to be visited more often and will also likely achieve better search rankings over time.

What's the damage, then?

The initial investment necessary to achieve an effective dynamic and/or CMS driven web presence is significantly more than that of a static website. The ongoing costs of maintaining a static website are usually much more than that of a dynamic CMS driven website. So, as is often the case when comparing apples and pears, one needs to consider the the total cost of ownership over time. If you are considering establishing a new (or renovating an old) website, we have the skills and experience to advise you properly and the enthusiasm to get it sorted smartly. Contact Monster Graphics today!

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