When Should you Consider using Static Website Templates?
The static website templates are mostly used in combination of CSS and HTML. The objective here is to showcase the website content and design. The template also adds in JavaScript for form validation and slideshow. These templates have their own set of benefits.
Some of the essential pros of static templates include the following:
- Almost no maintenance – The moment your site becomes live, there’s no need to opt-in for any updates. You need not worry about daily backups as well. In the majority of the situations, the basic backup is enough.
- Reduced needs – The static templates don’t make use of the database like MySQL and PHP. It is possible to operate them on a low-cost server by using lesser resources that minimizes the hosting expenses.
However, there are few business owners or website owners who wish to opt-in for static templates. Do you resonate with this? If yes, then before you sign-up for one, it is essential to understand your requirements. If you have the following requirement from your website, a static template will work in your favor.
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You give utmost importance to security
Do you recall the last time you installed the CMS and got the necessary plug-ins updated? An average estimate is that close to 70% WordPress installations become vulnerable to security attacks. Back in 2014, there were several Drupal sites that became vulnerable to bugs. It made Drupal take a drastic step. It announced if the owners of Drupal sites didn’t update to the latest version, their sites might get hacked. However, you need not worry about these concerns when you are on a static site.
The static site templates get developed on machine production, by the static generators. It takes the code and then divides the HTML files with the JavaScript and CSS. The moment a user requests a web page from the website, immediately the server sends them a file for the web page. It doesn’t create that webpage from multiple assets daily. Hence, the no build procedure indicates that standard hacking attacks such as database security threats and script issues are not a concern here. Therefore, if you want to invest little time and money to ensure site security, then this template is the best choice for you.
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You give equal importance to speed
Do you know what a browser does? Simply put, it delivers the HTML, JavaScript and CSS in a human-viewable structure. Regardless, of the website you opt-in for, (a new-age static or legacy dynamic website), your server sends JavaScript, CSS and HTML to your browser. Are you wondering about why to take the necessary resources and time to deliver the site each time a visitors visits it, when you might as well have a pre-built version to opt-in for. There are several reasons why an average static website gets hosted on the CDN, is generally 10 times quicker as compared to the one developed on a legacy CMS.
Also, when you host a static website on the CDN, you have the chance to cater to it from any node, that’s near to the users. It is an essential consideration that demands your attention. And if this is essential for you, a static website template will work wonders for you.
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You want better flexibility
A basic website generation with Drupal or WordPress, begins much like “one size caters to all” kind of a solution. It them gets customized by using the necessary plug-ins and you need a lot of them. When you search Google for the necessary plug-ins you get an endless list. However, when you opt-in for a static site template, you have all basic requirements in place. If you wish to blog, you can check out Hugo or Jekyll. The results will be different if you wish to customize a marketing site that provides high performance or showcase a visual portfolio.
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You need lesser footprint
When you install WordPress, you get tons of hardware and software. Chances are it resembles the following:
- A web server
- A machine operating Linux
- There is PHP with the web server configurations and allied extensions
- Each and every plug-in you need
- The template code and theme
If you don’t prefer to host your site on your own, chances are you must wish that the host keeps the MySQL and PHP updates. It helps you to stay away from all the vulnerabilities that can take place time and again. Additionally, there’s also a maintenance and upkeep expense. Ensure that you have provided sufficient time to cater to all the aspects.
However, things are much different with a static site template! At the time of hosting, it can host from any web server, which can effectively return the HTML files. Most users would want to leverage the possibilities that you can in a static website. All you have to do is discover the host that enables you to make end-to-end implementation, automated deploys instant cache invalidation and many more. However, you can leave the rest for some other person. It means rather than managing, updating and installing the CMS, you can channel all your time and energy to develop the site. It will be more useful for your brand as well.
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You want developer experience
The advantage and beauty of opting in for a static website template, is that you also get developer experience. You can customize the tools that in turn would output the HTML to a chosen directory on the machine. It is essential to know that close to all the tools comprise of a local web server. And this enables you to check and assess your progress. You can be stay rest assured that your site will appear the same to the developers and the visitors. Once you know that you can opt-in for this template.
Users and business owners who consider the above-mentioned pointers essential they opt-in for a static website template. However, it is essential to do your research and choose the best service provider, who caters to your budget and requirements.