There is so much to consider when we decide to get a website. You can choose a static website or one based off a template. WordPress is a popular choice for many and comes with many perks. Having a static site designed for you does have many benefits too. Here are some questions to mull over:
- Do you want ease of use?
- Do you want a unique and one of a kind website?
- How much freedom do you want?
- How much do you want to spend on your website?
- Are you looking for a template to create your website from?
- Do you want your website custom built to serve a specific task, a look etc?
- Do you need a website that can be updated easily?
WordPress Vs. Static Website: What is the difference?
A static website is a standard HTML-based web page. These pages contain HTML code that defines the structure and content of the Web page. Continuity is key with static web pages so each time an HTML page is loaded, it looks the same. The only way the content of an HTML page can change is when a Web developer updates and changes the file.
A WordPress site is a popular dynamic web-application. It uses a specific framework that utilizes a folder structure that keeps all the components of your website organized in a very specific way. WordPress is a template based system that is easy to use. WordPress is also very customizable functionally as there are literally thousands of plugins, widgets and themes to select from.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to both. You will need to decide which option works best for your business’ needs.
The advantages to WordPress
- Hands on approach: Wordpress is designed to be easy to use, update and add material to. Its user friendlyness makes it simple to make changes to content without having to know HTML code.
- Data and Resource Management: You can store your data (content and images) in the WordPress database for future use. It can be updated and deleted at any time with a click.
- Cost Effective: Setting up a website through WordPress is considerably less expensive than having a website built from scratch. Since your website can be based on a ready-made theme, you do not have to pay for custom HTML coding. This can save you time and keep your budget low.
- Flexibility in Layout and Functionality: Wordpress offers more paid and unpaid themes and plugins than any other Content Management System online. You can use WordPress to emulate a static site or use it for e-commerce or as a message board. You can install free or paid plug ins for features such as e-newsletters, voting, polls, forums and much more.
- SEO-friendly: WordPress offers several great search engine optimization tools that make incorporating on-line SEO simple.
The disadvantages to WordPress
- Frequent Updates: Security patches and plug-in updates occur frequently. You will get a notification on the admin dashboard and the process takes less than minute. It’s best to stay on top of these WordPress changes often to keep things running smoothly.
- Costly Customizations: Wordpress runs on themes. If for some reason you need the theme altered, you can end up investing time and money to get what you need.
- Template Design: WordPress uses themes to determine how your content is displayed. You may find that your page will not flow and look exactly the way you had hoped.
- Image Challenges: Images can only be sized in certain ways inside of WordPress. Anything out of the norm will have to be done outside the template.
- Small Font Selection: WordPress works well with web-based fonts – unfortunately, there is only a small selection available.
The advantages of a static website:
- Design Control: Your website can be as unique as your business and as customized as your budget will allow. Every page can look the same or different.
- Image Control: Images can be made any size or shape depending onthe look you are going for.
- Font Selection: If you prefer to add true type or any other font to your website, your web designer can do that for you.
- Functionality Control: You can have your own code created to create the exact functionality you require. You do not have to work within the confines of a pre-programmed plug in.
The disadvantages of a static website
- Expensive to maintain: Any updates and changes done to your webpage can cost you billable time.
- Harder to maintain: Any changes you wish to make to your site’s navigation, layout or look will have to be addressed by a professional. Updating links across pages can be tedious, repetitive, and prone to errors.
- SEO will take longer: Search engines do not favor websites with static content over a similar site that has its content regularly updated. Adding new articles to keep the content fresh will also require additional coding and web maintanence to maintain your website’s structure.
- Hands off approach: All content will have to be added by a web designer, you will likely never touch your website yourself.
If you have any questions about which type of website would be best for your business’ website, The GDC Group can help. Give us a call today!