Dynamic Website Design
When doing website design work, there are two basic options for the website, static or dynamic. A dynamic website’s function can be explained from the name itself.
The website design of a dynamic layout is built in a way that the information changes, and can be adjusted for specific settings. Time zone’s, the customer’s language, computer information and many other factors can have an influence as to how a dynamic website presents itself to the viewer.
For example, a customer from Regina may be presented with a website design layout that is tailored to the central time zone, as opposed to a viewer from Europe. Similarly, a viewer from Europe may see the website in their country’s language, and a Regina viewer may see it in a different language. This is partially due to the coding behind the dynamic website.
Often times, client side scripting is used to create the ever-changing content. Scripting puts the web page together along with JavaScript, then the web page can be changed as to the developer’s liking. The HTML works with the data to present new content. Generally, a dynamic site is a more evolved form of website design than a static site, and incorporates and builds upon many of the static website’s successes.
Like static sites, the basic foundation of the website design is encoded with HTML, so those working in website design who are new to dynamic sites will have this area already mastered.
Dynamic sites are quick to update. Let’s say you have a Regina Art Gallery website, and need to make some modifications to the website’s images. With a dynamic site, you only need to change the information located in a single file, and all the pages within that file become updated. A static website would have required editing each file individually, and this would take time from your already busy schedule.
Advantages
Easier design updates – Dynamic sites are built with a website design that creates every page separately. This makes updating quick and easy.
More flexible data – Content can be stored within a database (Regina Art Gallery photos, perhaps?), allowing for easily accessible content.
Databases – Content can be easily searched, loaded, displayed and backed up. More efficient, more secure, and more evolved than a static website design.
Easier content updates – Dynamic sites work well with new website design users. Creating and updating the website is much simpler with a dynamic format. Often times a knowledge of HTML is not needed for making updates to a dynamic website.
Disadvantages
Dynamic websites may take longer to design and develop, as there are more elements to dynamic sites than static. They also may cost more than a static site. Although overall, doing website design work with a dynamic site will pay off in the long term, as dynamic websites are more modern and have more functionality than a static site, and are more appealing to customers. A customer from Regina will feel special viewing a site that can customize itself around that person’s location, time zone, language and much more. Overall, a dynamic site will automatically work with your viewing audience’s preferences.