In general, websites are divided into two types, depending on how they are structured and what functions they have - static or dynamic websites. In this material, we will introduce you to the differences between the two types in detail and show you how you can easily switch from a dynamic to a static WordPress website.
What Is a Static Website?
Static websites are characterized by the fact that they do not have a content management system (CMS), which means that the website is only built and developed by changing its code.
In most cases, personal websites are static websites and small presentation and information pages whose content does not need to be updated daily. Such websites are mainly created using the HTML language, which defines the structure of the website and its pages - menu, text fields, images, etc. For a better presentation of the content, the CSS language is used for the visual presentation and styling of the information. At a later stage, the website can also become interactive with the help of JavaScript technology.
Advantages of Static Websites
Static websites are not only relatively easy to create and use but also have some key advantages that are much easier to use than dynamic websites.
- Website speed – the simplified functionality and structure of static websites also lead to a much better loading speed than dynamic websites.
- Good SEO optimization – when a static website is properly built and structured, each of its pages is easy for search engines to index.
- A good level of security and protection against malicious attacks - With this type of website, there is no PHP and no database, which means that the site is much less vulnerable to hacking attacks.
- Smaller file archive and no database - this allows for easy and quick migration of content, easier recovery (backup) of data and the ability to store a local backup copy of the website.
- Wild imagination - in practice, there are no limits to designing a website according to your ideas and tastes.
Disadvantages of Static Websites
With the development of web technologies, it is clear that static websites no longer meet the needs of companies that want to engage their customers and, above all, their users - to create a pleasant experience on their websites.
- Limited functionality – your static website is simply not "able" to perform certain functions and does not have all the necessary tools that users are used to using.
- Complicated content updating - this can only be done manually with the help of a web developer who knows the structure of the website well.
What Is a Dynamic Website?
This is by far the most popular type of website among businesses and consumers because it offers a much more modern look, more functionality, and more interaction possibilities. With dynamic websites, the content resides in databases that provide the information dynamically as the user's browser loads each web page.
You can already guess that the main difference for the website owner is the presence of a content management system (CMS), which offers many more options for easy website management and content creation. Of course, we should mention that the absence of a CMS does not always mean that the website is static (an example of this could be Laravel)
At this point, we would like to clarify something about content management systems. There are several popular CMSs, but the most widely used among them is WordPress. It is a curious fact that almost half of all websites on the Internet and 2/3 of dynamic websites use this system. For this reason, we at Hosting Jump also offer a specialized WordPress hosting service that focuses on websites built with WordPress.
Advantages of Dynamic Websites
Dynamic websites also have some irreplaceable advantages over static websites:
- Ease of management and flexibility – We have already mentioned that all content creation, editing, optimization, and management can be done through a content management system, even by someone who has no experience in web development.
- A host of additional functionalities - Websites today have a range of sophisticated functionalities that make the user experience increasingly valuable, enjoyable, and useful.
Disadvantages of Dynamic Websites
This is a serious disadvantage related to the way any dynamic website works:
- Slow loading of the website - this is the result of the process that includes the user's rabbit, the "call" of the content from the database to its dynamic visualization, and sending it to the user's browser.
The good news is that there is a ready-made solution for the biggest disadvantage of a dynamic website.
Conversion of a Dynamic Website Into a Static Website
It is perfectly possible to convert your dynamic website into a static website to take advantage of all the benefits it offers you. To do this, you will need to use a special tool.
Static Site Generator
In short, a static website generator allows you to convert a dynamic website into HTML and automatically enable the use of the page without the need for further intervention, which in turn has a positive effect on the loading speed of the website.
Why Use Static Website Generators?
For one thing, the pages on the website are already pre-coded so that they load extremely quickly. In addition, this option gives you a good opportunity to customize the available templates to the needs of your company and website without the need for serious technical knowledge.
WordPress as a Generator for Static Websites
It is perfectly possible to make your WordPress website static with the help of various tools. You already know that this can significantly speed up your website and improve its search engine rankings, as well as take you off the "radar" of hacker attacks. In addition, a static website will not be affected by changes and updates that could make the themes or plugins you use incompatible with a new version of the WordPress installation.
WordPress Static Site Generators
- Simply Static – starting from the home page of the website, this tool scans every remaining page and creates a static copy of it, including all content. When loading, the website would be noticeably faster and easier to use than its dynamic alternative. A useful option from Simply Static e and the ability to work on your pages offline if required.
- Gatsby – another option that allows you to work both online and offline on the website. The tool is one of the most popular static generators, and the developers promise the user up to 60% faster loading speed, up to 10 times shorter page creation time, and up to 4 times faster content creation.
- WP2Static - a free solution that combines already used templates, themes, and plugins and significantly increases the speed of the website. WP2Static is a good option if you make relatively infrequent changes to your website.
- Strattic - a "fast, secure and flexible website," says all about the benefits of Stratic. When you convert your WordPress website from a dynamic to a static website, you also have the option of saving your users' communication or comments on the static copy. Stratic is free for a 30-day trial period.
- Nikola – this is also our latest offer for a static website generator, which is also free and aims to make it as easy as possible for users to create a static copy of the website.
Are you already convinced of the advantages of static websites and the simplicity with which you can create them? When deciding whether a static or dynamic website is more beneficial for your business, remember that the priority is to equip your website with everything it needs to run smoothly. At Hosting Jump, we offer you a wide range of hosting solutions with an optimized hosting environment for high loading speeds and the best technical support for your website.
