Static and Dynamic Websites: A Primer

In the web design and development industry, there is a growing disparity between what clients know and understand about the different types of websites and "tech speak". In an effort to close the great divide, here's a quick primer.

HTML or Hyper Text Markup Language is the basic coding language for web pages. After a site is visually designed or laid out so that, at a minimum, the navigation and logo are clearly displayed on a page, developers use letters and symbols to define how the page will look on the Internet. The resulting site is essentially controlled by HTML.

There are many programs out there that help new designers with the lay out of the site. Programs such as Adobe Go Live, Microsoft Front Page, Macromedia Dreamweaver, and others, are called "editors". More sophisticated than ever before, these software programs will create a form of HTML that may be used on the Internet. In general, but not always, these programs depend upon a simple understanding of how websites work and help build "static" websites.

Static websites are often like brochures. They provide information that seldom changes. Once a static - or fixed - site is posted to the web, it will not change until someone physically modifies it by altering the information or modifying the code.

Static websites greatly differ from dynamic websites. A dynamic website (often referred to as a database-driven site) uses advanced programming languages to allow data to flow in and out of the site and to make meaningful relationships with the data. For example, an online business directory may allow local businesses to sign up and create profiles for their businesses. These profiles would be used by visitors to the site who may, in turn, search the directory based on their needs; while one person may conduct a search for a lawyer in their zip code who speaks Spanish, another person may search for a beginner yoga class. Think of this type of site as a classified ad. The information about a business could change at any moment, but a user could still look up that and other companies.

Another significant feature of dynamic websites: owners may upload both pictures and text on their own, preferably through a password-protected, administrative interface. In other words, using a browser interface (such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, etc.), one can "login" - or register - to use a selected area of a website that is not accessible by the ordinary user. Once logged in, an owner (or someone the owner designates) can easily add, edit, or delete most content that is available on the site; one does not require a proficiency in HTML or website design to update or maintain a content-managed site.

A content management system commonly known as a CMS has a variety of uses. Consider, for example, a typical ecommerce website (electronic commerce or shopping). Since some products become obsolete, they may be deleted. As other items go on sale, prices may be reduced or modified. And, as new products become available, they may be added to the site. Any one - or all - of these modifications may be done anytime, during the day or night.

Although a dynamic or database-driven website is indeed interactive, a Flash site may be both interactive and animated. Using a software program by Macromedia called, not surprisingly, "Flash", creates a Flash-built site. Essentially, this type of site is a movie that uses vector graphics, or graphics that can be scaled to any size without losing clarity or quality.

An advantage of Flash is that it is virtually independent of browsers. However, users or visitors to this type of site need to download and install a plug-in (a software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system) before they can see anything. The good news: the latest browsers come installed with the Flash plug-in.

Programming languages such as JAVA Script, php, asp, .net (dot net), Cold Fusion, XML, and perl, can be used in conjunction with databases such as SQL (see-quall) server and MySQL to create a dynamic site. Although these terms are often bantered about, most developers have their own preference for a particular language and database, and good programmers can create the type of site that is required by most businesses.

As the Internet grows, more and more sites are becoming database dependent. That does not necessarily mean that any one language or program is better than another (although many will dispute that statement). It simply means that it is becoming more cost effective to have a custom website design that will last beyond tomorrow's headlines.

So, if you are thinking about a website for your business, seriously consider the type of website your business will require and the budget required to get there. Then, when interviewing web development firms, ask a lot of questions. Remember, it's your buck and your site.

Laura D.L. Bracken is the owner of Design Spike, Inc., a custom web development company.