Make Me a Static Website!
Submitted by Erik Olson on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 09:45
"I just want a simple, static website."
OK. Why?
"I don't want to spend the extra money on a CMS. I don't have time to manage a site. I don't know HTML. I just want something quick."
OK.
I've had this conversation more than I'd like to admit over the last couple years. Luckily for me and them, very few people leave Freelock with an actual static website.
And heres why:
- I don't want to spend the extra money on a CMS
Good. We don't want you to either. A Drupal site has a higher initial investment, both in terms of cost and time. But spread out over 5 years (which is what I believe a website's engine should last), the cost significantly decreases. With a static website, you have not only the initial investment, but the cost of constantly updating content. We have several clients that spend over $1000 per year having us simply update content, all because:
- I don't have the time to manage a site
OK. Who is going to write the content to fill your static site? And the content updates when things change? And explain it to someone else so they can spend their time updating the site? If the answer is "me", then you have time. Using a CMS means you can update your site when you feel like it, how you'd like, and without spending anything except time doing so. But...:
- I don't know HTML
Well thats too bad. You could have made it big in the late 90's if you knew HTML. Today, HTML is generated behind the scenes. So if you understand how to use Microsoft Word or OpenOffice, then you can use Drupal. So fine, but what I really am thinking is:
- I just want something quick
I would recommend Drupal then. We have launched simple sites in a few hours, complex sites in a few days. The beauty of Drupal is that it allows us to work on content, look, menus, slideshows, and forms at the same time.
So OK, you got me. Now what does it cost?
And the dreaded answer that even I hate: It depends.
On what? Well, complexity, scope, content, look, functionality. The easiest way to think of it is a house. How much should a house cost? Well, it depends. It depends on what it looks like inside and out, the components needed, the arrival date of the custom ordered marble from Italy, and how many workers are needed to meet the schedule.
The bottom-line is this: Drupal speeds our development. Better blueprints also increase our speed. Our speed lessens your cost. You save money.
If you are interested in learning more, contact us today!
Well put! One thing I'll
Well put!
One thing I'll add....and this is from experience:
Static pages make it too easy to not update content. Static pages = stagnant pages.
CMS
I guess it is worth to mention that the managing of a CMS is just as easy as managing the static HTML page. And has some clear benefits - for example you do not need to bother about the menu and other standard components.
@aaron i agree
@aaron i agree
CMS is cool
CMS website for me is cool. You can save money in updating your contents. You cannot need to be an programming expert to make a nice dynamic website. I tried other CMS in my paper writing service. I want to try also Drupal.
i am a web designer and one i
i am a web designer and one i always hate is "So when do you think you'll be able to get the site material to me"
and more than often you'll get something like "well isnt it your job to do the web site"
ughh i cringe just thinking about it, i dont know anything about your company how am i supposed to fill a 5-10 page site with info about it
so true - CMS is an investment
This is spot on Erik. Even for the smallest 1 man (or woman) operation a CMS based website is going to be the best option in the long haul. The old prejudices about CMS's being slow, complicated and needing technical knowledge are in fact the opposite of the truth, as you say. On a lighter note, have you checked out Clients From Hell - definitely some laughs in there for you!
People never really think of
People never really think of their website as a long term investment - just a one off that they can then forget about. It's one of the biggest mistakes people make and a sign of inexperience when it comes to running an online business. I once had a client looking to be quoted for an online investing / forex trading type site (mainly consisting of 3rd party platforms, nothing original) and wanted to compete in this highly competitive sector on a budget of $1500! I politely declined and suggested they need to rethink their business model :)
Guess that is true, so I
Guess that is true, so I better start thinking of my website as a long term investment.
One question for you!
Ok here is some question for you. Why do you want a website? Do you need it just for the name. If it is so than it's too bad cause without a site you cannot make your company a gaint company and if you think you want to make your company a good and qualitative than it does not matter to spend some bucks for the website. So no matter whatever the site is and whatever you use (Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress e.t.c) the only things that matters is the content for your website. And if you have no time to manage the content than why do bother to make a website.
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SEO Friendliness
Static websites are search engine friendly, with all the content rich articles and links there. Not to mention the meta tags.
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