Today I want to talk a little more about your website and your business. I will explain the difference between a static HTML website and a dynamic website which runs off of a Content Management System/Database and give you some advice on which one is best for your business situation.

As I talked about before, your website is really your home base for any of your online marketing efforts, and you want to make sure that your content is up to date, clear and concise. So what happens when you want to have the content and photos updated on your website? Well you have two options; hire your web designer on an hourly basis or do it yourself through your CMS (Content Management System).

A static website is one that is built on single flat HTML pages (simple text files) which your web designer has created for every single page on your site. In order for you to update your website with content, you will either have to contact your Web Designer, or learn HTML/CSS (which is not recommended).

A dynamic website or one built on a content management system usually involves some sort of database where the software allows the website owner to create, edit, manage, and publish content and photos in a set fashion. You do not need to know HTML or CSS or any programming languages to write to your website, the software is in place where you just type in the same you would for a Word document. Photos or files that are uploaded will drop into predefined spaces by the software.

So what are the scenarios and who should have a CMS or Static website:

Business #1 - Jim’s Electrician is a small business that does contracting with various builders here on Cape Cod. His business would really just need a site that had the following:

About Us - What they do and history of the company?
Work - What work they provide, and to whom?
Contact Info - How can the customer reach them?

He is not going to update that website much, if ever, so a static website is fine for the job.

Business #2 - Save the Seals Non-Profit Organization works on Cape Cod with issues of the growing seal population and its effect on the fishing industry. They are issuing press releases on a regular basis, and things are happening in their industry on a weekly and monthly basis. They really need control of their content because they will be adding articles and news all the time…a CMS should be their priority when they go to do the build out. If they had to call their Web Designer everytime they needed a new article put up, they would be spending alot of money over the longrun.

In the longrun it really makes sense to setup a CMS if you think your business is going to be updating content on a regular basis. It does cost more upfront when you do the build out, but over the length of the website’s life you will save alot of money.

Next week I will talk a little bit more about Content Management Systems and using them to your advantage. As always - If you ever have any questions on the article, feel free to contact me or post comments below