There are two main types of websites to choose from:
HTML (or Static) and CMS (online Content Management System)
When you need a website to be designed, you need to think about what you want from your website to help you choose which type is best for you.
Static or HTMLwebsites: A static or HTML based website’s pages are constructed in the HTML language with the text information inserted inside the code. This can be done with different types of editor, but usually if any changes need to be made to the page, the page needs to be edited off-line then re-uploaded to the webspace. Unless you know how to write HTML code, a static site is one that you cannot change yourself and you will need to pay a web designer to change for you.
The advantages of HTML websites are that their simplicity makes them quicker and therefore cheaper to construct. If your site is for displaying fixed information that is unlikely to require updating or renewing on a regular basis, then a static HTML site could be a good option for you.
Content management website (CMS): A CMS website is one where all the text information is stored inside a database online, and placed onto the page interface when a user visits the page. The site layout or template a CMS site is more complicated to design than an HTML site, and allows a wider range of design options, functions and features. The cost of a CMS site is understandably higher than a static site.
However, a CMS has an easy to use interface that allows technical and non-technical staff to create, delete and amend the site’s content without the need of a web designer. E-Commerce sites (ones with online shopping functionality) are an obvious type of website that benefits from the CMS option. However, more and more businesses are seeing the advantage of being able to update and add content on a daily, weekly or monthly basis without the need to pay a web designer to do it.
A blog site is another common form of CMS website, where large amounts of content are stored, displayed and added on the functioning site.
Other advantages of a CMS site include being able to display different content to different sectors of your target market. For example, the content displayed can be programmed to match a user who has become a member of the site, so that their name or preferences appear (e.g. a sports shoe website that displays specials to match the sporting preferences entered by a user when they register).
For most business owners, a CMS programme that is easy to use, in a WYSIWYG format – what you see is what you get – is usually the best option. A good web designer will include a tutorial as part of the package and be available to provide refreshers at a reasonable rate should you need help updating your content with something little more ambitious than adding new specials uploading photos, or refreshing the homepage text.
Need to ask more about Selecting the right type of website?
List of previous blog topics in this series:
1. How to get a Domain Name for your website
This month’s topic:
Next topic: 4. How do Users Read on the Web?
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