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Title: A Content Management System or Static Website? Post by: Stephen Taylor on July 28, 2007, 12:02:09 PM 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. A STATIC WEBSITE A static website is a website that is designed, created and then hosted by a website designer and is usually programmed using a static language like HTML or XHTML. Once the website is online, any changes that are needed require a website designer, or someone that knows how to edit, create or delete web pages. Typically, static websites are much simpler to create a content managed website, due to the fact that no database needs to be created. 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: * Less cost involved * Simpler to create and host * Quick to download on lower bandwidths DISADVANTAGES OF A STATIC WEBSITE * Could cost you more in the long run depending on the frequency of the updates * Long change process as you have to wait for a website designer to have the time to make your changes * Not as much functionality, so you website could be lacking against your competitors 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, update 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 designer or know HTML code. * Changes can be made immediately due to a much shorter change process * Can be cheaper than a static website in the longer term * Easier to budget for ongoing costs than a static website DISADVANTAGES OF A CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM * Initial cost is normally higher than a static website * May be slightly slower for users on low bandwidths than a static website * 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 to Strawberrysoup, that SME’s want to be able to look after their own website, without having to ask a website designer to make changes to their website. New technologies are being implemented on an almost weekly basis which is allowing web designers and web agencies to create and install content management systems quickly and therefore with less of a cost implication to their clients. Strawberrysoup has their own proprietary content management system called StrawberrySite which is a modular based content management system allowing SME’s to choose which aspects of the system they need, such as bulk email, e-commerce, news stories or job postings. ARTICLE AUTHOR: Neil Dennis WEBSITE: www.strawberrysoup.co.uk Neil Dennis is a partner at Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialises in creative website design, content management systems, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design. http://www.strawberrysoup.co.uk |