What is the difference between a static and dynamic website?

Do you want to know the best option between a static and dynamic website? We'll evaluate both types of web building options. Indeed, presence on the web has become essential for many companies and individuals. For this reason, When creating a website, one of the fundamental issues is to choose between a static and dynamic website. In this article, inspired by our recent video on the subject, we will break down these concepts and help you make the wisest choice for your project.

What is a Static Website?

A static website is, as the name suggests, “static”. This means that once content is published, it remains unchanged until a developer or webmaster decides to manually refresh it. Typically, these sites are developed using languages such as HTML and CSS.

A static website consists of pre-written HTML pages stored on a web server. When the user requests a page, the server simply sends the corresponding HTML file. The content of the page is therefore always the same, regardless of the user or their actions.

Advantages of static websites:

• Easy to create and maintain: do not require in-depth programming knowledge.
• Fast loading times: Since the pages are pre-written, the server sends them quickly.
• Inexpensive hosting: Due to their simplicity, they require less server resources.

Disadvantages of static websites:

• Limited functionality: cannot interact with users or adapt to their needs.
• Manual updates: Any content changes require manual intervention on the HTML files.
• Not suitable for websites with frequently changing content: Not suitable for websites where content needs to be refreshed regularly, such as blogs or online stores.

What is a Dynamic Website?

Unlike static sites, dynamic sites use databases to store and retrieve content.

A dynamic website, on the other hand, generates page content on the fly, based on user demand and other factors. This involves the use of server-side technologies such as programming languages (PHP, Python, etc.) and databases.

Advantages of dynamic websites:

• Rich features: May include user interactions, forms, shopping carts, login areas, etc.
• Personalized Content: May display different content based on the user or their actions.
• Easy updates: Content can be updated via an administration interface, without modifying HTML files.

Disadvantages of dynamic websites:

• More complex to create and maintain: requires knowledge of programming and database management.
• Longer load times: Generating dynamic content may take longer than sending static HTML files.
• More expensive hosting: May require more powerful servers to handle dynamic requests.

Popular Options

Static and dynamic websites are widely used around the world depending on the need. Below are some fairly popular examples.

For static sites

Here are some examples of popular static websites:

• Personal websites or portfolios: Perfect for showcasing your work, skills or experience. Examples: CSS Tricks , GuruFocus – Timothy Cook
• Business Websites: Suitable for small businesses or businesses that want to present their products or services in a simple and concise manner. Examples: The North Face , Patagonia
• Artist or musician websites: Ideal for sharing your music, photos or artistic creations. Examples: Billie Eilish Store , Arcade Fire
• Blogging Websites: Perfect for sharing your thoughts, ideas or stories. Examples: 9to5Google , The Verge
• Restaurant Websites: Suitable for restaurants that want to showcase their menu, hours, and contact details. Examples: Squarespace Restaurant Websites , Wix
• Wedding Websites: Ideal for sharing your wedding details with your guests. Examples: The Knot Registry , WeddingWire
• Event Websites: Perfect for promoting an event, conference or workshop. Examples: Eventbrite , Cvent
• Local Small Business Websites: Suitable for local businesses that want to showcase their products or services to the community. Examples: Squarespace , Wix
• Documentation websites: Ideal for providing guides, tutorials or instructions. Examples: Bootstrap , Tailwind CSS

Remarks

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and there are many other types of websites that can be created using static technologies. Choosing the appropriate technology depends on the specific needs and objectives of the project.

For dynamic sites

Dynamic websites offer rich functionality and greater user interaction than static websites. Here are some popular examples of dynamic websites:

Social networks:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

E-commerce:

• Amazon
• eBay
• AliExpress
• Etsy

News:

• Google News
• The world
• The New York Times
• BBC News

Web services:

• Gmail
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Zoom

Entertainment:

• Netflix
• Youtube
• Spotify
• Twitch

Government:

• Government of Canada website
• Service France
• USA.gov

Financial institutions:

• National bank of Canada
• Gardens
• Chase Bank
• PayPal

Travel websites:

• Booking.com
• Airbnb
• Expedia
• Kayak

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and there are many other types of dynamic websites. The complexity and functionality of a dynamic website can vary greatly depending on its specific goals.

Which one to choose ?

Choosing between a static website and a dynamic website depends on your specific needs and goals. Here is a summary table to help you make your choice:

In summary

• Choose a static website if you:

  • have a simple website with little changing content.
  • have a limited budget.
  • do not have in-depth programming knowledge.
  • look for a fast-loading website.

• Choose a dynamic website if you:

  • need a website with rich functionality and user interaction.
  • need to personalize content for different users.
  • need to frequently update the content on your website.
  • are ready to invest in more expensive hosting.

Please remember that this is a general guideline and choosing the appropriate technology depends on the specific needs and goals of your project.

Conclusion

Each type of website has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice of static and dynamic website will essentially depend on the nature of your project, your budget and your technical skills. Hopefully this overview has given you a better understanding of how they differ and will help you make an informed choice for your online presence.