Are you seeking to simplify your WordPress web site? Maybe you’re discovering your dynamic web site too sluggish, or perhaps you’ve realized there’s a number of the again finish you don’t want.
To resolve these points, you may generate a static model of your web site. This may help increase its efficiency and safety. Though we wouldn’t suggest static websites for each use case, they could be a nice possibility for small web sites that don’t want updating usually.
On this publish, we’ll begin by discussing the variations between static and dynamic web sites. Then we’ll present you 3 ways to construct a static WordPress web site. Let’s get to it!
An Introduction to Dynamic vs Static Web sites
First, we’ll check out the important thing variations between dynamic and static web sites.
Dynamic Web sites
Dynamic web sites current completely different content material to completely different guests, making them extra personalized to customers’ actual time wants. What’s displayed will be depending on a consumer’s location, their settings and preferences, or actions they’ve taken in your web site.
Both approach, it leads to a extra tailor-made, personalised Consumer Expertise (UX). For instance, an eCommerce retailer can counsel merchandise to clients, based mostly on earlier purchases:
Relatively than merely storing and displaying HTML recordsdata (the way in which static web sites do), dynamic websites construct the pages there after which, utilizing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and server-side scripting languages. When the web page is requested by customers, the server pulls data from databases to assemble the HTML file for every customer.
These requests take longer to course of, as a result of the HTML file isn’t prepared and ready like it’s on a static web site. This may end up in efficiency points, and sluggish loading instances for dynamic web sites. On the identical time, the various advantages concerned imply that the overwhelming majority of the web sites you go to shall be dynamic.
Static Web sites
When customers arrive on a static web site, they obtain a single HTML file, accompanied by some type sheets and scripts. These are saved and delivered to customers when the knowledge is requested. Because of this the web page appears to be like precisely identical for each consumer who visits the location, and it will possibly solely be modified by a programmer modifying the HTML file.
Nonetheless, static web sites can nonetheless present interactive and interesting experiences for customers by way of most of the identical components that dynamic web sites use. For instance, static websites can nonetheless embrace hyperlinks, buttons, media, digital downloads, and JavaScript.
A static design is especially suited to websites that don’t require personalised content material and don’t want updating continuously, equivalent to informational websites, or websites consisting of lower than 4 pages. This makes them a wonderful selection for resume web sites, brochure web sites, and read-only touchdown pages (equivalent to “Coming Quickly” pages).
Deciding What Kind of Web site Is Proper For Your Wants
Now that we’ve lined the fundamentals, let’s check out among the advantages and downsides of utilizing static and dynamic web sites.
The Professionals and Cons of Dynamic Web sites
Dynamic web sites provide full personalization, permitting you to tailor content material in direction of every consumer. Dynamic code can be way more highly effective, and permits for larger performance. For instance, you need to use dynamic code to construct net functions and software program, which wouldn’t be potential with a static web site.
Moreover, you may simply make sweeping modifications to your web site, which is why we’d suggest a dynamic design for websites that replace often, equivalent to blogs. It’s additionally a very good match for web sites that require plenty of consumer interplay, like eCommerce shops and streaming providers:
Alternatively, dynamic web sites are extra advanced than static websites. Due to this fact, setting one up from scratch could require extra effort and time, and a few technical expertise. Nonetheless, you may rent builders to set your web site up for you, or use a Content material Administration System (CMS) equivalent to WordPress.
The largest disadvantage of dynamic websites is that there’s much more processing required within the again finish, which can lead to slower loading instances. Not solely can this injury your UX, it will possibly cut back Time On Web site (TOS) and improve bounce price, that are each elements for search rankings. Happily, there are many simple methods to preserve your web site working rapidly.
The Professionals and Cons of Static Web sites
Static web sites present very quick loading instances as a result of the web page is already constructed and saved away, simply ready for customers to entry it. Quick loading instances are excellent news for UX, and may help increase your search engine place.
Usually, static web sites are simple to construct and preserve, and require little coding information. Some familiarity of HTML and CSS will be helpful if you happen to’re constructing the location from scratch. Nonetheless, you can too use web site builders and CMSs to arrange a static web site with out a lot technical know-how required.
This makes static web sites a wonderful selection for companies seeking to launch a primary web site as rapidly and simply as potential. Safety will be tighter on static web sites too, as there aren’t any plugins to hack, no PHP, and no database connectrions.
For instance, the software program firm Rookout makes use of a static web site as a way to enhance safety and cut back server load:
The principle limitations of making a static web site contain scalability. It may be tough and time-consuming to hold out site-wide modifications. For instance, if you happen to determine to change a header, or add a brand new web page to your web site, it could require altering every particular person HTML file or creating a brand new one.
That is usually not sensible for rising web sites with greater than a handful of pages. There are additionally sure sorts of web sites that aren’t suited to a static design, equivalent to eCommerce shops. It’s because some capabilities (equivalent to testing) would require plenty of third-party instruments to facilitate. These may crush your web site, leading to efficiency and pace points.
How you can Create a Static WordPress Web site (3 Methods)
In case you determine {that a} static web site is true on your wants, you’ll have to know the best way to create one. There are just a few strategies for doing this. So earlier than we wrap up, let’s discover 3 ways to construct a static WordPress web site.
1. Create a Static House Web page
The best method to construct one thing that capabilities like a static web site is to set a single static web page as your WordPress house web page. That is excellent if you wish to create a fast and easy one-page web site.
In your WordPress dashboard, go to Pages > Add New:
Create your web page as regular, including a title and any content material you want (simply keep away from together with any dynamic components). Then, click on on Publish:
Navigate to Settings > Studying. Then, underneath Your homepage shows, verify the field for A static web page. Beside Homepage, use the drop-down field to pick the brand new web page you created, and save your modifications:
You’ve now created a static web page, and set it as your property web page. Whereas this isn’t a ‘true’ static web site, it will possibly work effectively if you wish to create a read-only touchdown web page.
2. Generate a Static Model of Your WordPress Web site
If you have already got an internet site that you simply’d wish to make static, you need to use a plugin like Merely Static. It is a nice possibility if you wish to preserve your dynamic web site up and working, and generate a static model of it. Relying on the supply technique you select, you’ll both obtain a file containing your static web site, otherwise you’ll have the static model of your web site despatched to a specified server path.
In your WordPress dashboard, head to Plugins > Add New. Seek for “Merely Static”, then click on on Set up Now and Activate:
Within the sidebar, go to Merely Static > Settings. Most often, you may go away all the settings on the default stage. Nonetheless, you can too embrace/exclude any URLs manually right here (for instance, if you wish to preserve sure pages out of the static model of your web site):
Subsequent, go to Merely Static > Generate, and click on on Generate Static Information:
Obtain your .zip recordsdata with the hyperlink offered. In case your web site occupies the area the place you’d wish to have your static model situated, you’ll have to migrate your common WordPress web site to a distinct subdomain. In case you plan to take your web site to a different server, you are able to do this utilizing the .zip recordsdata.
3. Use Headless WordPress Internet hosting
Headless growth detaches the again finish of your web site from the entrance finish, permitting you to make use of a CMS to construct your content material whereas utilizing an Utility Programming Interface (API) for the entrance finish. We suggest this feature if you would like customers to view a static model of your web site on-line, however you’d nonetheless wish to make modifications to your content material by accessing your WordPress admin space.
That is essentially the most advanced technique, and would require some technical experience. Nonetheless, it permits you to handle your web site with larger flexibility and management. For instance, it may be a very good possibility for builders who need to ship content material to Android and iOS platforms from the identical again finish. It’s additionally a good selection for websites/apps utilizing JavaScript frameworks.
To get began, you’ll need to discover a supplier that gives headless WordPress internet hosting, equivalent to WP Engine:
You might want two separate hosts: one for the headless again finish (which might want to help WordPress and PHP), and one for the entrance finish of your web site. With WordPress and WP Engine collectively, you may construct and handle headless web sites, each static and dynamic.
Conclusion
In case you’re discovering your dynamic web site too sluggish, otherwise you’re not absolutely using its again finish, you would possibly take into account switching to a static WordPress web site. This may help streamline your web site, enhancing efficiency and safety.
To recap, listed below are 3 ways to create a static WordPress web site:
- Create a static house web page in your WordPress dashboard.
- Generate a static model of your web site, utilizing a plugin equivalent to Merely Static.
- Use a headless WordPress internet hosting supplier, equivalent to WP Engine.
Do you could have any questions on constructing a static WordPress web site? Tell us within the feedback part beneath!
