How Is a Static Web Page Different From a Dynamic Web Page?

Dynamic content provides more page options.

Dynamic pages provides websites with the ability to present content dependent on user input. This provides a better user interface and higher quality content that targets user searches. Dynamic content is also more manageable. Static content is dedicated files that are usually created using a basic HTML editor. The pages require no advanced programming skills, but they do not provide the ability to retrieve user input.

Function

Both static and dynamic pages function to present content to readers. Static content provides a non-changing page that remains the same regardless of the link clicked, URL entered or what search engine the reader users to access the page. Dynamic pages function to bring content dependent on some kind of input. Websites present dynamic content that changes depending on the URL clicked or the search phrase used to find the page. Website owners can also present data based on if the user is logged in.

Types

Static pages are typically created with a simple HTML editor. If a website owner understand the HTML language, creating a quick page is done within the HTML body tags. Dynamic pages are programmed using several languages. The main languages used to create dynamic content are PHP, C# or VB.NET. These languages provide the tools necessary to retrieve content from a database such as MySQL or SQL Server.

Content Management Systems

Content Management Systems provides users with a console that helps create, edit and publish Web pages. CMS systems create the pages using one of the dynamic languages, and it saves a dynamic copy and a static copy. The static copy is used for better search engine organic rank, and the dynamic page is used to present the content to the user when accessing the website domain.

Identification

A user can typically identify static and dynamic content using the URL file extension shown in the browser. Static content usually has a file extension of .htm or .html. These pages are simple HTML pages. Dynamic pages programmed in PHP have a .php extension. Dynamic pages programmed in Microsoft C# or VB.NET have a .aspx extension.

Considerations

Choosing between the two types of Web pages determines site manageability in the future. Static HTML pages need coding changes if the user decides to change the content on the page. Dynamic pages and ones using a CMS system provide a front-end console that makes it easier to change the site content. Converting pages from static to dynamic takes time and effort, but a small site can start with simple static pages and migrate to dynamic content after traffic grows.

References

• Lori's Web: Dynamic vs Static Web Pages