Static vs Dynamic Web Sites

Static vs Dynamic Web Sites

A static website consists of a series of HTML files, each one representing a physical page of a website.
So on static sites, each page is a separate HTML file. When you visit the homepage, you are viewing the actual homepage file. Even if two pages contain a chunk of identical content (like a footer), they both contain two versions. So, if you want to update the footer, you must do so twice, once on each page.

For example, website is a static website because everyone who log into the website will have access to the same information with others. 

Advantages of static websites: 

• Quick to host and develop 
• Flexibility - every page can be different if desired, to match the layout to different content, and the designer is free to put in any special effects that a client may ask for in a unique way on different pages.

Disadvantages of static websites: 

• Requires web development expertise to update site - Unless you are conversant with HTML and the design methods used in the site then you have to go back to the designer to have any content changes made.
• Little scalability - For example, if you wish to display your artworks on your site and you have a lot of them then you may have to construct individual pages for each one, which can take considerable time, effort and cost.
• Content can get stagnant 

Dynamic Website
One the other hand, dynamic websites is much more complicated compare to static websites. A dynamic site is one that is written using a server-side scripting language such as PHP, ASP, JSP, or Coldfusion. In such a site the content is called in by the scripting language from other files or from a database depending on actions taken by the user. For example, Youtube is a dynamic website.

The homepage of Youtube will be different with every users because it will be personalized according to the users' preference. 

Advantages of dynamic websites: 

• Much more functional website - it usually has additional functionality
• Much easier to update 
• New content brings people back to the site and helps in the search engines 
• Can work as a system to allow staff or users to collaborate 

Disadvantages of dynamic websites: 

• Fixed design - many of the pages are essentially a template into which data and content is poured to create multiple pages of a similar type.