How to Make Your Website Go From Static to Dynamic

Settling for a static website can chip away at a company’s online performance. While it’s a good bargain, a static platform with limited functionality is not a worthwhile investment, especially for businesses seeking exponential growth. 

In order to achieve an increase in conversion, a website must be customizable, responsive, and highly interactive. So how do you turn a static website into a dynamic platform?

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What is a Dynamic Website?

A dynamic website is built using a combination of coding languages and programming tools (unlike a static website that relies solely on client-side scripting languages). It makes use of both client-side scripting languages, such as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and server-side programming codes, such as Active Server Pages (ASP), JavaScript, Ruby, PHP, C#, and Python. 

With the help of a strong database system and reliable web server, these server-side codes speed up the retrieval and delivery of information. They enable websites to promptly respond to requests made by users, delivering needed web pages in an instant. This, in turn, creates a smoother digital experience for web users. 

A dynamic website is also more interactive. It makes use of software with components and personalization features that enhance its overall user experience. Unlike a static website, which delivers the same set of content to every visitor, a dynamic website can create a unique experience for each user. It can be personalized based on user behavior, geographic location, and other factors. 

Moreover, a dynamic website simplifies the process of content management. Editing content and updating design is made easy with the integration of advanced tools like content management system (CMS) platforms. While a static website is updated through manually editing its written code, a dynamic website is modified using publishing tools and multiple built-in templates. 

How Do You Build a Dynamic Website?

Building a dynamic website is more than just writing HTML code then saving it on a server. It involves using a mix of programming scripts, software, and supporting applications.

As opposed to a static platform, a dynamic website makes use of server-side programming languages. Learning server-side programming or backend scripting can improve how data is displayed on the web page. It helps deliver requested information and processes submitted user data through interactions with databases and storage files. Server-side programming enables websites to perform advanced website functions, such as generating search results, creating recommendation modules, and sharing content.

There are numerous server-side languages to choose from: ASP.Net, Ruby, Python, JavaScript, C#, ActiveVFP, and Perl, among others. One of the most popular server-side scripts is PHP, an open-source scripting language that is compatible with the MySQL database system. 

After selecting a scripting language, the next step is choosing a database system. It must be compatible with the scripting language of choice; these two work together in creating a dynamic website.

A database system is used to store, organize, and retrieve data. It’s useful when consolidating user information, employee records, inventory lists, feedback forms, poll answers, and other chunks of data. MySQL is the most commonly used database system. 

There are several factors to consider when choosing a database system. The software must be able to accommodate the quantity of data to be collected as well as provide the appropriate data structure to the website. One common type of database structure is relational database management system (RDMS), which collects information in clusters. This makes extracting data easier since it’s neatly compiled in sections or in tables. Basically, when deciding on a database, it all depends on the needs of the website. 

Aside from a database system, a web server is also needed to shape a dynamic website. It’s a crucial component because server-side scripts are run through web servers and not just on browsers like client-side scripts.

A web server is a software or hardware system responsible for handling requests and responses made over the World Wide Web. It communicates information from browser to server through hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests. A web server makes sure that web pages are delivered to users in real-time, depending on the action that is made. It also stores frequently requested data to speed up the delivery of information.

A web server usually consists of an operating system, hardware, and additional applications to aid in the delivery of HTTP requests. Typically, web servers run on either two operating systems: Linux or Microsoft Windows. Apache—one of the most widely used web servers, handling over 100 million of today’s websites—runs on Linux. Most hosting companies that offer different server services also run on Linux. 

One of the last components of building a dynamic website is a Content Management System (CMS) platform. A CMS is software that simplifies backend web development by helping to build, manage, and update websites without the need for manual coding. Using a CMS eliminates the need to know advanced coding techniques. Most CMS platforms have features like analytics, publishing tools, social media integration, and search engine optimization (SEO) support. 

Building a dynamic website is just a matter of choosing the right tools and technologies to create a platform that is modern, advanced, and powerful.

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