Static Website vs CMS
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.)
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 and then developed by a website designer and programmer and is usually programmed using languages like HTML and/or PHP. Once the website is online, any changes that are needed require a website developer, or someone that knows how to edit, create and/or delete web pages.
Typically, static websites were much simpler to create compared to a content managed website, due to the fact that no database needs to be created. However, with today’s availability of easy-to-setup “Content Management Systems” (software) like for example WordPress, the amount of work is often now more for a Static Website than a CMS Website
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:
- No software: Almost no technical updates maintenance costs (only when language versions change and the current language, such as PHP, is being deprecated and requires code changes. This usually happens every 5-6 years and requires few development hours only.)
- No database: Simpler to host (less requirements)
- No web login: Less or no chance of being hacked
- Lightweight: Quick to download on lower bandwidths and often easier to be processed (requires less computing resources, making it work better on slower devices)
Disadvantages of a Static Website
- Could cost you more in the long run if you have frequent updates
- Long change process as you have to wait for a website developer to have the time to make your changes
- Not as cheap and fast to add functionality: If you require specific features, it may be more expensive to add these to a static website compared to using ready made software that are available to be added to a CMS
Using a Content Management System For a Website
If a business decides that they want to sell their products online, update their website content when they need to and capture customer details, then a content management system is more than likely to be the best solution.
A content management system is a system that allows users to add, edit, and delete their website content quickly and easily through the use of an administration section on their website and a database (usually MySQL, MSSQL or Access.) Content management systems use server side scripting languages such as PHP, ASP or ASP.net.
The database is used to store information that the user enters via the administration section, and data is retrieved from it each time a user accesses the content managed website.
A content management system is suitable for all types and sizes of businesses, and it can be used to drive all types of content, including text, documents, sound, video and much more.
Advantages of a Content Management System
- Content can be changed on the website as frequently as is needed, without having to use a website developer or know code language
- Changes can be made immediately due to a much shorter change process
- Can be cheaper than a static website to build
- Easier to budget for ongoing costs than a static website if feature extensions are projected in the future
Disadvantages of a Content Management System
- Higher risk of malfunctions and hacks
- Costs on long run is normally higher than a static website because of required software updates and maintenance
- May be slightly slower for users on low bandwidths than a static website, and harder to process for slower devices
- Training may be needed depending on the complexity of a content management system
Conclusion
This article has aimed to describe the advantages and disadvantages of both a content managed website using a content management system (CMS) and a static website.
Both of these types of website offer various benefits over each other, however it is becoming increasingly evident, that SME’s want to be able to look after their own website, without having to ask a website support provider to make changes to their website.
New technologies are being implemented on an almost daily basis which is allowing web designers and web agencies to create and install content management systems quickly and therefore with less of a setup cost implication to their clients.
We use WordPress which is a modular based content management system allowing clients to choose which aspects of the system they need, such as bulk email, e-commerce, forum, event calendar, download library, news stories or job postings.