Static vs Dynamic Websites: A group of Web pages that follow the same theme or design and the pages are connected together with hyperlinks is called a Website, you can also say a Website is a collection of digital documents, primarily HTML files, linked together under the same domain called a Website. There are two types of websites static and dynamic websites.
If you are a business owner, a web developer, or simply someone who curious about what is a static and dynamic website, how is it works, and the differences between these two approaches. Let’s explore and make an in-depth comparison(Static vs Dynamic Websites).
What is a Static Website?
A static website is a single or multi-page website which is not changing its content frequently with the user interaction. On a static website, there is no content that comes from the server side with any logic. If we look at an example, on Instagram people can upload photos and reels, and send messages in real-time, and the content changes frequently with user interaction by fetching data in the server. But if we look at a gym website and a personal portfolio website, there are no content changes frequently with user interaction, this type of website is called a static website.
To create a static website generally, we use HTML to create content and structure, CSS to create the design, and Javascript to add some user interaction and activities, but JavaScript is optional if we don’t want to add some behaviors to a static website. HTML, CSS, and Javascript are referred to as ‘client-side’ languages because they execute in the web browser of the user.
How a Static Website Works?
As you know, static websites are made up of pre-built files of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript which are stored on a server. When we want to access a static website normally we type the URL or Domain of that website and hit enter, then the browser sends a request to the server where the website’s files are stored, then the server sends back those files to the browser after that browser execute the files, and we can see the static website’s contents. In this process, there is no interaction with databases.
Remember, we cannot say these types of websites will not respond to user interaction, they can have clickable links, buttons, forms, and other elements that users can interact with. However it is called static websites because these websites cannot perform server-side operations like processing form submissions, retrieving data from databases, or generating content dynamically like our previous example Instagram.
Let’s take a look at some specific types of websites where we can go for a static website:
- Portfolio Websites: For a web developer, UI/UX designer, or professional looking to showcase their work and achievements on the world of the internet, a static portfolio website is an ideal choice. It allows them to showcase their work easily and fast in less time without high development costs.
- Landing Pages: The most common use of static websites is to create landing pages, this can be the best choice for marketing campaigns, product launches, or events.
- Documentation sites: For technical documentation of digital products or user manuals, a static website is a practical option. It provides a straightforward way to organize and present information about products.
Advantages of a Static Website
There are lots of advantages to a Static Website, a static website gives more speed and performance than a dynamic website because there is no interaction with databases, we can say no server-side processing is involved. The browser can immediately display the pre-rendered HTML pages directly from the web server as per the request of a user.
Static websites are more secure than dynamic sites because there are no server-side scripting and database interactions. therefore, it reduces the attack surface and minimizes the risk of common web vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection or server-side scripting attacks. Hosting a static website is cost-effective, we can use basic web hosting such as Hostinger, Namecheap, and GoDaddy or even cloud storage services (Amazon’s AWS, Firebase) to host static websites. These hostings are more affordable than dedicated server hosting, and we can host a static website free of cost on Firebase.
Static websites are highly scalable and more manageable, they can handle high traffic because static websites are lightweight and cacheable, the Content delivery network (CDN) can distribute cached content globally, and deliver the content fast to users.
Disadvantages of a Static Website
As you see static websites offer several advantages such as speed, security, and ease of maintenance, but it’s not the best option in many cases. It has several disadvantages such as limited functionality, lack of flexibility, content Updations, and so on.
To update the content of a static website, like changing the header, footer, and main content, we need to manually edit each individual HTML, CSS, or JavaScript file. If we want to add another page such as an About Us or Contact Us page in our static site, again we have to create HTML files manually and we have to use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for uploading changes to the web server. For large websites, this process can be difficult, and for an individual without technical skills or coding knowledge.
What is a Dynamic Website?
As you know, static websites are made up of pre-built files of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript which are stored on a server, and a static website provides fixed and unchanged content means a static website displays the same content to all visitors in the same format, and there are no content changes frequently with user interaction, but a dynamic website far different from a static website.
A dynamic site is a type of website that uses server-side programming languages such as PHP, Node.js, ASP.NET, and many more, and a database to generate its content. It is not a prebuilt web page like a static web page but is built during runtime according to the user’s demand. Dynamic Sites provide dynamic and interactive functionality to users. It has abilities like searching data in the database, submitting form data, displaying custom content, and customizing the content for each user based on their interactions, preferences, and data stored in a database.
How Does a Dynamic Website Work?
A dynamic website works differently from a static website, it generates content with the help of server-side programming languages on the fly in response to user requests and interactions. It uses server-side scripting languages, databases, and other technologies to create customized web pages for each user.
When we want to access Dynamic Websites such as Amazon, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram normally we type the URL or Domain of that website and hit enter, The web browser sends a request to the web server hosting that site. On the web server, there are server-side scripting languages are installed, these languages allow the server to execute code in response to the user’s request. The Web Server is connected to one or more databases that store and retrieve data of users.
As per the user’s request, the server generates content dynamically that includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and may include text, images, product listings, user profiles, or any other data-driven elements. After that, the web server is sent back to the user’s web browser as a response. The web browser renders the page, applies styles, and executes. Then a user can interact with that website by clicking links, filling out forms, making selections, and performing various actions.
Advantages of a Dynamic Website
Dynamic websites have several advantages such as Scalability, Complex Functionality, Content Customization, Real-Time Updates, User Authentication, Content Management Systems, E-commerce Capabilities, and much more, that help us to build real-world problem-solving products.
Disadvantages of a dynamic Website
While dynamic websites come with several advantages, they also come with some disadvantages and challenges such as Complexity, Much Development Time, Not a Cost-effective, High Server Resources, Security Concerns, Maintenance Complexity, Performance, Scalability Challenges, Content Management Complexity, and much more.
Static VS Dynamic Websites – Differences Between Them
Here we have provided a short comparison table of Static vs Dynamic websites in terms of speed, interactivity, Scalability, development cost, and content management capabilities.
| Static Website | Dynamic Website |
|---|---|
| Content cannot be changed at runtime. | Content can be changed dynamically. |
| No interaction with a database is possible. | Interaction with a database is possible. |
| Faster loading times compared to dynamic websites. | Slower loading times compared to static websites. |
| Typically has lower development costs. | Typically has higher development costs. |
| Does not have built-in content management features. | Often includes a content management system (CMS). |
| Developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. | Developed using server-side languages like PHP or Node.js. |
| Delivers the same content every time the page is loaded. | Content may change every time the page is loaded. |
