Each website is built for a different purpose, which could be to sell a business’ products online, or simply as a brochure to show potential customers what a business does, and then to attract them to contacting the business for more information.

This article aims to describe the differences between a static website and a content managed website using a content management system by describing the benefits and disadvantages to SME’s (small and medium sized enterprises.)

A static website is just that, you write your material just as you would in any word processor upload it as a .html or .htm webpage. Creating pages has it's advantages and disadvantages. The majority of websites found on the internet fall into this class.

We hope that this article helps both business users, and other website design firms to understand more the difference between these two types of website.

Using a Static Website

A static website is a website that is designed, created and then hosted by a website designer and is usually programmed using a static language like HTML or XHTML. Once the website is online, any changes that are needed require a website designer, or someone that knows how to edit, create or delete web pages.

Typically, static websites are much simpler to create a content managed website, due to the fact that no database needs to be created.

Advantages of a Static Website

There are a number of advantages of static websites over a dynamic, content managed website for SME’s, dependent on their business.
Static sites are simple in nature to create, link together. There are many templates available for static sites, so you can probably find one that fits your personal tastes. This is the way to go in the beginning.

Using a template allows you to get your site online very quickly, yet still it has a learning curve. Yes you will have to learn a little about html 'hyper text markup language' At first it seems confusing but hey if I can learn it so can you!

Templates will use either tables or css for positioning, with css being the preferred choice. CSS 'cascading style sheet' allow for a much cleaner format with less code in the actual page itself.

Less cost involved
Simpler to create and host
Quick to download on lower bandwidths
Static pages are designed solely in HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which defines the framework in which the content will be viewed.
All web hosts support the use of HTML.
Pages will produce identical output whenever and wherever they are loaded
Static content is extremely easy to test in the development stages, helping prevent errors.
Static websites are search engine friendly. Static pages get catched faster than dynamic websites.

Disadvantages of a Static Website

The biggest problem of static sites is the updates required on multiple pages when the author needs to add in a page or new section to a website.
All content changes must be made directly to the file on the web host's server
Some popular dynamic features, such as forums and interactive calenders, are very difficult to implement in a static environment.
Could cost you more in the long run depending on the frequency of the updates
Long change process as you have to wait for a website designer to have the time to make your changes
Not as much functionality, so you website could be lacking against your competitors

See our STATIC WEBSITE DESIGNING packages from here...