As you employ Squarespace web design services in building your business website, you need to understand that there are two types of web design. These are static and dynamic web design. Choosing the right one will enormously affect the functionality of your business website and its potential for growth.
There are pros and cons to each type of web design, and you should address them when making a decision. With this in mind, here is a detailed guide on the differences between static and dynamic web design and how to choose the best option for your business.
Static Web Design
Static web design refers to a Squarespace web design that is written using HTML and CSS codes and does not use an external database. Whatever is in the HTML code is what is precisely what is displayed to the user. As a result, every user who visits the page receives the same information regardless of their location, language, or other demographics.
However, the content doesn’t have to be in plain text. You can have text, multimedia, and video content. For you to make changes to the website, you have to go to the source code and make edits to the HTML code.
Static websites are designed using HTML, and they have the following features:
- They do not require web programming or database design
- They ave a fixed number of pages and a specific layout
- Pages display a .html or .htm extension when opened in browser
- Visitors only interact with the site by clicking on links and contact forms
As a result, static websites are incredibly easy and affordable to create. While they may not have intricate navigation features, they are effective and ideal for businesses with just a few webpages.
Pros of Static Web Design
The following are the main pros of static web design:
- It is simple and straightforward. Designing the website only requires an understanding of HTML and CSS. You can build the site using simple text editors such as Notepad.
- Static web design is inexpensive. Building a site is cheap, and this makes static web design ideal for small businesses looking to keep costs low.
- Static web design boosts page speed. The lack of intricate navigation elements and diverse functionality allows the webpages to load fast.
Cons of Static Web Design
Below are some of the challenges you would encounter if you chose it for your website:
- Content updates are time-consuming. Since you cannot make any changes without altering the source code, updating content is time-consuming. Also, if you don’t understand HTML, you need to find an expert every time you want to make changes to the site.
- There’s limited functionality. Static web design limits you to simple pages with simple content types such as text, images, video, and hyperlinks.
- Static content affects SEO. Since you cannot change the contents of your pages regularly, this can adversely affect SEO due to the lack of fresh material to keep your site on the first page of SERPs.
- Updates and website management require much skill and expertise. Only HTML experts can perform maintenance tasks.
- Static websites have a dull and look due to the lack of intricate design elements.
While static web design is ideal for small businesses, it is not suitable for firms that want to grow. Over time, the needs of the business will change, and you need a design that can accommodate growth.
Dynamic Web Design
Dynamic web design refers to a design that is written with more than just HTML code. The design utilizes both client-side and server-side scripting languages. They employ advanced server technologies such as JavaScript, PHP, ASP, and Python.
As a result, dynamic web design allows websites to generate different content for different visitors from the same source code. Examples of dynamic websites are social media sites and e-commerce platforms.
Dynamic websites have the following features:
- The use of databases allows websites to integrate content management systems which enable you to input and manage data using web-based administration pages
- Dynamic websites are purely functional and interactive
- Dynamic web design allows pages to show different content to different users depending on location, geography, or user needs
- Pages display a .php, .asp, or .jsp extension on the browser
Pros of Dynamic Web Design
The following are the advantages of adopting a dynamic web design for your website:
- Dynamic web design is interactive and functional. It produces user-driven pages that change according to the needs of the user.
- Websites are responsive. The dynamic design produces highly responsive websites, an element that allows you to stay up to date with Google ranking parameters.
- No skill or knowledge is required to change the content. With a CMS, you can easily manage and input content and update software.
- The functionality of the site makes it easy for users to navigate from one page to another while receiving custom content.
Dynamic websites are ideal for all businesses, especially growing ones. The responsiveness of the site allows it to grow with the company.
Cons of Dynamic Web Design
Dynamic web design has the following disadvantages:
- The increase in required resources can make the website slower. This can adversely affect SEO, and business owners need to monitor site speed to avoid a high bounce rate.
- The initial cost of building a dynamic website is high. However, after that, it is affordable to manage as you won’t need expert help, as is the case with static websites.
- The use of server-side scripts and web programming exposes the site to security risks. However, these can be easily managed if you work with Squarespace web design experts.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Business
Choosing between static and dynamic web design will entirely depend on your business needs. For example, if your firm is constantly growing, a dynamic design would offer more flexibility. It also delivers an interactive and functional site that will improve user experience. Think about your current and future needs and work with a Squarespace web design expert to actualize your goals.