Data-Driven Websites. Are they for you?
February 8, 2004
Today's savvy web surfers crave constant updates such as those found at the popular sites ESPN.com, Yahoo, Weather.com, and eBay. These dynamic websites use databases as a foundation for their content. Not only does this strategy allow for easier site maintenance, it gives visitors an incentive to make a repeat visit.
Two major types of websites are the traditional static website and the dynamic, data-driven website. A static site is written in HTML and requires manual updates, while a data-driven site uses a database to store information that will be processed when the site is accessed.
Websites you frequent to search for stock quotes, sports scores, or weather forecasts, for example, probably use a database to automatically retrieve and display the personalized information. The information stored in the database depends on the goals of the site; user preferences, order history, and previous search queries are just a sampling of the types of data that can be processed. Data-driven websites offer customizable user experiences and allow separation of content from presentation.
Customizable User Experiences
Would your website users benefit by being able to interact with your site, choosing what they want to see and filtering out the rest? This interactivity simply is not possible with a static website, which gives every user the same content whether they want it or not. With a data-driven website, you can empower your users to create their own unique experience on your website.
Separate Content from Presentation
When your content on a traditional website is embedded inside of static HTML files, it is difficult to update and virtually impossible to process dynamically. Storing content externally in a database opens up many new possibilities for your website, while making site maintenance easier. Once the look and feel of a design is established, you can use the database to alter the content of the site without worrying about how it will affect the layout on the user's screen. Most importantly, a data-driven site allows you, the Web site owner, to make changes any time you want, without relying on a developer.
Do I need a data driven site?
If you are creating or redesigning a web site, there are two questions you should answer before any work begins:
- How often will the content change?
- Who will be maintaining the site?
For a basic “online brochure” that provides general information that will not change often, a static web site may be appropriate. Static sites are less expensive to produce and maintain, assuming updates will be made only two or three times a year.
However, if you anticipate content on your site changing on a regular basis, or if you simply need the freedom to update content without the assistance of a Web developer, then you should strongly consider a data-driven solution.
To learn more about if powering your website with a dynamically driven Content Management System is right for you or your business, please contact us for more information. Be sure to inquire about our “free usability analysis” of your current website.
