Web Development Articles, Tips, Guides - SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines https://seo-hacker.com/category/web-development/ SEO Hacker is an SEO Agency and SEO Blog in the Philippines. Let us take your website to the top of the search results with our holistic white-hat strategies. Inquire today! Fri, 25 Apr 2025 07:40:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://seo-hacker.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Web Development Articles, Tips, Guides - SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines https://seo-hacker.com/category/web-development/ 32 32 Subdomains vs. Subdirectories: Understanding Their SEO Impact & Which to Use https://seo-hacker.com/subdomains-vs-subfolders/ https://seo-hacker.com/subdomains-vs-subfolders/#respond Sat, 26 Apr 2025 08:30:52 +0000 https://seo-hacker.com/?p=208182 When Should You Use a Subfolder? Most of the time, subfolders are the better option—especially if your goal is to strengthen your main site and improve its rankings. Here are situations where subfolders make the most sense: You’re adding a blog or resource hub to your site Your content is closely related to your main […]

The post Subdomains vs. Subdirectories: Understanding Their SEO Impact & Which to Use appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
Subdomains vs. Subfolders: Which Is Better for SEO & Why?

When it comes to setting up a website, one small decision can have a big impact on how well your content performs online: Should you use a subdomain or a subfolder?

If those two terms sound a bit technical, don’t worry—we’re going to tackle everything you need to know about subdomains vs. subfolders. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what each one means, how they affect SEO, and which one might be better for your site.

What Are Subdomains and Subfolders?

These are two ways of creating different categories of content within your website structure.

Let’s make this super simple by comparing your website to a house.

Subfolders: Like Rooms Inside One Big House

Think of a subfolder as a room inside your house. It’s a section of your main website and lives under the same roof (domain).

For example:

  • seo-hacker.com/products/
  • seo-hacker.com/articles/
  • seo-hacker.com/services/

All of these are just different parts of the same website. They’re often used to house all related content together. Using an example from above, all of your product pages could be found under example.com/products/, so it would look something like:  

  • seo-hacker.com/products/product-1/
  • seo-hacker.com/products/product-2/
  • seo-hacker.com/products/product-3/

This structure keeps similar pages connected in a way that’s easy for Google to understand. So when one part of your site gets stronger (like when your landing pages gain links or attention), the rest of your site benefits too.

Subfolders are great when you want all your content to support one main site. 

Subdomains: Like a Separate House on the Same Lot

Now imagine you build a second house on your property. It’s still yours, but it’s separate from the main house.

That’s how a subdomain works.

Examples:

  • products.seo-hacker.com
  • articles.seo-hacker.com
  • services.seo-hacker.com

It might look similar, but search engines treat this as its own separate site. That means you’ll have to build up SEO for your subdomain independently—your main site won’t automatically benefit from the blog traffic or backlinks.

Subdomains are useful when you want to create something that feels like its own website, even though it’s part of your brand. It’s also useful for creating and organizing distinct sections of a website. Taking an example from above, I could use products.seo-hacker.com to create an ecommerce platform to sell my books and case studies. 

So… Which One Helps with SEO More?

Let’s get to the heart of it: Google tends to treat subfolders as part of your main website, and subdomains as separate websites.

So if you’re adding content like a blog or resource center to help your site rank higher on search engines, a subfolder is usually the better choice. It allows all that content and effort to contribute directly to your main domain’s SEO performance.

On the flip side, if you build that same blog on a subdomain, you’ll likely need to do extra SEO work to make it rank well—just like you would with a totally separate website.

Why Do Some Companies Still Use Subdomains?

There are times when a subdomain is actually the better option. Here are a few examples:

  • Different functionality or platform: Maybe your blog is on WordPress, but your main site is built differently.
  • Regional targeting: If you’re launching in different countries, subdomains like ph.example.com or us.example.com might be easier to manage.
  • Branding: Some businesses want their blog or shop to feel like a separate experience from the main site.

In these cases, using a subdomain makes sense—but just remember, SEO progress might take longer because you’re building authority from scratch.

Still Not Sure Which One to Choose? 

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide between using a subfolder vs. subdomain. 

choose between using subfolder or subdomain

When Should You Use a Subfolder?

Most of the time, subfolders are the better option—especially if your goal is to strengthen your main site and improve its rankings. Here are situations where subfolders make the most sense:

  • You’re adding a blog or resource hub to your site
  • Your content is closely related to your main business
  • You want to maximize your SEO impact without managing multiple sites
  • You’re keeping everything under one platform or CMS

For example, if your site is about business software solutions, having example.com/blog/ helps your blog directly support your brand and boost your authority.

When Does a Subdomain Make Sense?

Subdomains aren’t always a bad idea. In some cases, they’re the better (or even necessary) choice:

  • You’re using a different CMS or platform (e.g., your store runs on Shopify but your site is on WordPress).
  • You’re building something very different from your main site, like a customer support portal or an ecommerce store.
  • You want to target different languages or countries (e.g., fr.example.com or us.example.com).
  • You need to separate branding or design between sections.

Just keep in mind: if you choose a subdomain, you may need to put in more work to get the same SEO results—building backlinks, optimizing content, and maintaining consistency.

Key Takeaway

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the question of using subdomains vs. subfolders. It comes down to how you want to structure your website, what’s currently on your website, and what your goals are for this new section you’re building. Either option has recommended use-cases, and if used right, both can be SEO-friendly and help you achieve your target goals.

The post Subdomains vs. Subdirectories: Understanding Their SEO Impact & Which to Use appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
https://seo-hacker.com/subdomains-vs-subfolders/feed/ 0 208182
How to Structure a Website to Improve Navigation & SEO https://seo-hacker.com/guide-website-structure/ https://seo-hacker.com/guide-website-structure/#respond Fri, 04 Apr 2025 08:30:42 +0000 https://seo-hacker.com/?p=208165 The post How to Structure a Website to Improve Navigation & SEO appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
guide to website structure

A well-organized website isn’t just about aesthetics—it plays a huge role in user experience and search engine rankings. A clear structure helps visitors find what they need quickly while guiding search engines to your most important content. Without it, your site becomes a confusing mess of disconnected pages. This guide to website structure covers everything you need to know: why it matters, how to build it, and how to keep it optimized. 

Why Website Structure Is Important

A well-structured website isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must. Your goal is to attract visitors, keep them engaged, and guide them seamlessly through your content. That won’t happen if they get stuck or lost.

Whether you have a single-page or multi-page website, a clear structure makes it easy for users to browse and explore. An added plus is that you reduce frustration and keep users engaged longer. If all elements align, then that user will be more likely to convert on your website. 

Benefits of Good Website Structure

A clear, logical structure is key to effective website management, and allows for a ton of benefits, such as: 

Enhances User Experience

The faster visitors find relevant content, the more satisfied they’ll be and the longer they’ll stay.

A strong website structure with well-planned internal links keeps important pages just a few clicks away. This improves navigation, organizes content into clear categories, and sets your site apart from poorly structured ones.

Boosts SEO performance

Search engines like Google rely on structure to see your website. An optimized website structure acts as a map for search engine crawlers, helping them better understand and index your pages, which sets you up for better rankings.

And, internal linking (which is controlled by how you structure your website) is a key SEO tool. It connects pages, guides visitors, and helps crawlers discover content. It also distributes link equity across your site, boosting page authority.

Improves User Journey

Site structure directly impacts navigation and user experience, but it’s also key to a well-planned user journey. Good website structures create a natural flow, guiding visitors from entry points to conversions.

Users need to have an intuitive experience for them to make this journey with ease, so prioritizing your structure will not only enhance satisfaction, but also boost customer retention and profitability.

Simplifies Website Maintenance and Updates

As your website grows, a solid structure makes it easy to update, add, or remove content without breaking navigation or design. This ensures consistency and keeps your site user-friendly over time.

Key Elements of Website Structure

Knowing how to plan a website architecture requires knowing all of its essential elements. 

  1. Main page
  2. Menus and navigation
  3. Categories and subcategories
  4. Contextual linking
  5. Breadcrumb navigation
  6. Cornerstone content
  7. XML and HTML sitemap

Homepage

Your homepage is the central hub of your website, guiding visitors to key pages. It should clearly convey your site’s purpose, highlight essential features, and provide intuitive navigation. Ensure important category pages are linked for easy access.

Menus and Navigation

Your website menu serves as a roadmap, helping visitors navigate effortlessly. Whether a dropdown or a simple navigation bar, it should be clear and direct. Follow these best practices:

  • Use clear, short labels for each menu item.
  • Avoid cluttering with unnecessary links.
  • Ensure all main category pages are represented.
  • Make navigation instinctive—users shouldn’t have to think about where to go next.

Categories and Subcategories

Think of how things like books are organized in libraries, or how produce is displayed on grocery shelves. They’re all sectioned off by type, and then further arranged into subcategories so people can find what they’re looking for easily. Your website should be the same, and it does that with category and subcategory directories. 

This means grouping related content and web pages together into a logical structure. This structure, known as silo architecture, helps users navigate efficiently.

Here are some examples of how this can be done:

  • E-commerce: A “Women’s” category can include subcategories like “Clothes,” “Shoes,” and “Handbags.”
  • Blogs: A “Marketing” category may have subcategories like “SEO,” “Social Media,” and “Email Marketing.”

A clear category structure prevents users from feeling lost and ensures content is easy to browse.

Contextual Linking

Links play a crucial role in guiding users and search engines through your site. Thoughtful contextual linking connects related pages, improving both user experience and SEO. Examples include:

  • Blog posts linking to similar content for deeper exploration.
  • E-commerce pages suggesting related products or frequently bought items.
  • Calls to action (CTAs) like “Sign Up” or “Get Started” that lead users toward key goals.

Well-placed internal links keep visitors engaged and help search engines understand the relationships between pages.

Breadcrumb Navigation

Breadcrumbs are clickable links that show the path a user has taken on your site, typically displayed at the top of the page. 

For example:

Home > Blog > SEO Tips > How to Optimize Your Website

Breadcrumb Navigation:

  • Help users backtrack easily.
  • Improve navigation, especially on complex websites.
  • Enhance SEO by reinforcing your site’s hierarchy for search engines.

Breadcrumbs are especially useful for e-commerce sites, where users might browse through multiple categories and pages before making a purchase.

Cornerstone Content

Cornerstone content consists of comprehensive, high-value articles that serve as the foundation of your site’s authority on a topic. In SEO, these are typically your landing pages and long-form blog posts. 

These pages:

  • Are typically long (think 2,000+ words) and cover a subject in depth.
  • Act as a go-to resource for both users and search engines.
  • Are heavily linked throughout the site to strengthen internal linking and SEO.

For example, if you run a fitness site, your cornerstone content might be “The Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss.”

XML and HTML Sitemaps

Sitemaps help both search engines and users navigate your site efficiently:

  • XML sitemaps: A behind-the-scenes file that helps search engines index all site pages, ensuring nothing important is overlooked.
  • HTML sitemaps: A user-facing page, often found in the footer, that provides an organized list of key site links.

Both sitemaps contribute to better discoverability and improved search rankings.

How to Start Categorizing Your Web Pages

As you can guess, one of the first steps in creating a good website structure is knowing where each page on your website will go, and how users will access them. 

To organize your content effectively, you need to decide how your pages will be grouped and how visitors will navigate through them.

There are two main approaches to structuring a website: top-down and bottom-up. The best choice depends on the specific needs of the website and its business goals.

Top-Down Approach

In a top-down structure, you start with broad categories and then break them down into more specific subcategories. This method follows a hierarchical model, making it easy to scale as more content is added.

Example: An e-commerce site may begin with main categories like “Men’s Clothing” and “Women’s Clothing,” then divide them further into subcategories such as “Shirts,” “Pants,” and “Shoes.”

Bottom-Up Approach

A bottom-up structure begins by grouping individual content pieces into the most specific categories first. These smaller categories are then grouped into broader ones. This approach works well when the content is highly specific and needs to be categorized before defining high-level sections.

Example: A blog site with many articles might first group posts by specific topics (e.g., “SEO Tips,” “Social Media Marketing”) before defining broader categories like “Digital Marketing.”

How to Start Building Your Website Structure

Once you’ve figured out which pages go under which categories, it’s time to think about how you’re going to lay them out on your website. There are several different layouts you can use, but the most common (and most SEO-friendly) are hierarchical, flat, matrix, and sequential designs. Each one has “ideal” use cases, but it basically comes down to what is the most efficient way to build your website so that it accomplishes the goals of your SEO and user journey, which are key to providing your target audience with a friendly-user experience.

For a deeper dive into each layout, including their pros and cons, check out my guide on different types of website structure. Be sure to check it out if you need more help in picking out the right one for your website.

How to Maintain and Improve your Website Structure

Creating a well-structured website isn’t a one-time task—it requires regular maintenance to stay user-friendly, optimized for search engines, and aligned with your business goals. Routine reviews and updates can help you spot gaps in your structure, outdated content, and opportunities for better internal linking.

Here’s how you can sustain and improve your website structure over time:

Regularly Review your Structure

Think of reviewing your website structure like a routine health check-up. It helps ensure your site remains organized and effective.

  • If your business goals evolve or you introduce new products or services, update your structure to reflect these changes.
  • For example, a new product launch might require a dedicated landing page linked from key sections of your site.
  • Regular audits ensure your site continues to meet user expectations and remains easy to navigate.

Address Outdated Content

Outdated content can confuse visitors and negatively impact SEO.

  • Regularly check for outdated blog posts, products, or pages and either update them or remove them.
  • Redirect old URLs to relevant new content to prevent 404 errors.
  • Keeping your content fresh improves both user experience and search rankings.

Author’s Note: Not sure which posts are outdated, or what to do with them? Check out my complete content checklist and how to write for the Helpful Content Update to effectively find and rewrite outdated content. 

Improve Internal Linking

Internal linking connects pages on your site, making navigation easier for users and helping search engines understand the relationship between different content.

  • Regularly audit your site for opportunities to add internal links.
  • Ensure high-value pages receive internal links to boost their visibility and authority.
  • Run your website through a site structure visualizer to check for missing or broken links.

Identifying Site Structure Issues

Your website’s structure affects everything from user experience to search engine rankings. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

Linking Problems

Broken links, inconsistent linking, or a lack of internal links can disrupt navigation and affect SEO.

Solution:

  • Regularly check for and fix broken links.
  • Ensure key pages are well-connected with relevant internal links.

Click Depth

Click depth refers to how many clicks it takes to reach a page from the homepage. If important pages are buried too deep, users may struggle to find them, and search engines may not index them efficiently.

Solution:

  • Keep essential content within three clicks from the homepage.
  • Flatten your website structure to reduce unnecessary layers.

Orphaned Pages

Orphaned pages are not linked from anywhere on your site, making them difficult to find for both users and search engines.

Solution:

  • Use tools like Ahrefs’ Site Audit to identify and integrate orphaned pages into your site’s structure.
  • Ensure all valuable content is linked from at least one other page.

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is all about how the website’s content is categorized. Poor taxonomy can make content hard to find and navigate. If you notice that certain points of your website have high bounce rates, or users go back and forth on the same set of pages, you might be having a taxonomy issue. 

Solution:

  • Organize your content logically with clear categories and subcategories.
  • Maintain consistency in naming conventions.

URL Structure

A confusing URL structure can hurt search rankings and make navigation harder.

Solution:

  • Follow a clear and logical URL format based on your website’s hierarchy.
  • Keep URLs concise, readable, and relevant to the page’s content.
  • Incorporate keywords when appropriate.

Key Takeaway

An organized website structure makes navigation intuitive, helping first-time visitors find what they need—even on sites with hundreds of pages. Following this guide to website structure will help you plan thoroughly, and maximize your website’s potential by improving user experience and SEO.

The post How to Structure a Website to Improve Navigation & SEO appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
https://seo-hacker.com/guide-website-structure/feed/ 0 208165
Exploring Different Types of Website Structures and How They Impact UX & SEO https://seo-hacker.com/different-types-website-structure/ https://seo-hacker.com/different-types-website-structure/#respond Fri, 28 Mar 2025 08:30:10 +0000 https://seo-hacker.com/?p=208158 A linear site structure, also known as a sequential website structure, is a simple yet effective way to organize a website, making it perfect for small sites with 5-20 pages. This structure is commonly used for step-by-step guides, educational materials, and sequential content, where users need to follow a specific order to understand the information […]

The post Exploring Different Types of Website Structures and How They Impact UX & SEO appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
types of website structures

Thinking about building a website but unsure how to structure it? An organized site layout is crucial for usability, credibility, and SEO. Studies show that about 94% of first impressions are based on design, and without a clear structure, users may leave for a more navigable site. Understanding different types of website structures will help you create the seamless, intuitive user journey that you need to keep your audience on your platform. 

What is Website Structure? 

Your website structure is basically how your pages and content are organized—it’s the blueprint that connects everything through menus and internal links. A well-planned structure makes it easier for visitors to navigate and helps search engines understand your site.

Think of it like organizing a bookshelf. Categories, tags, internal links, and breadcrumbs help keep everything in order. If you’re starting a new site, plan the structure first—it’s way easier than fixing it later. And don’t forget your audience—good structure means a smoother, more enjoyable experience for them!

Why Website Structure is Important 

A solid site structure is crucial because it benefits both users and search engines. For users, a well-organized website makes navigation easy, helping them find what they need quickly and improving their overall experience. For search engines, a clear structure helps crawlers understand the relationships between pages, making it easier to index your content and rank it effectively. A good structure also prevents issues like orphan pages and duplicate content, which can hurt SEO. Ultimately, a well-planned site structure boosts usability, keeps visitors engaged, and improves search visibility.

Types of Website Structure 

Websites aren’t all built the same—different types of website structures exist, shaping how users navigate your site and interact with your content.

Linear Site Structure

example of linear site structure

A linear site structure, also known as a sequential website structure, is a simple yet effective way to organize a website, making it perfect for small sites with 5-20 pages. This structure is commonly used for step-by-step guides, educational materials, and sequential content, where users need to follow a specific order to understand the information fully. In this setup, each page leads logically to the next, creating a seamless browsing experience.

Advantages of a Linear Site Structure

  • Perfect for Micro-Sites – This structure is well-suited for smaller websites that don’t require complex navigation. Since micro-sites are usually built with a specific purpose—such as promoting a campaign, launching a product, or delivering focused content—a linear setup keeps everything organized and easy to follow.
  • User-Friendly Navigation – A linear structure simplifies navigation by guiding users step by step. Instead of overwhelming visitors with too many choices, it directs them from one page to the next in a logical sequence. This approach is especially useful for first-time visitors who may not be familiar with the content, ensuring they don’t get lost or miss important information.
  • SEO & Content Control – From an SEO perspective, a linear structure allows for better control over internal linking. Since each page naturally connects to the next, search engines can easily crawl and understand the hierarchy of the content. Additionally, this setup reduces the risk of orphan pages (pages with no internal links), ensuring all pages are accessible and indexed properly.

While a linear structure works best for small, focused websites, it may not be ideal for larger, more dynamic sites. However, when used in the right context, it can greatly enhance user experience and content accessibility.

Deep Site Structure

example of deep site structure

Think of a deep site structure like a tall building with lots of floors. If you’re looking for a specific office on the 10th floor, you have to go through multiple steps, enter the building, take the elevator, walk down a hallway, and finally reach the right room.

On a website, this happens when users (or search engines) have to click through many layers to reach a specific page. The deeper the structure, the harder it is to navigate. This can make it tougher for people to find what they need and for search engines to index pages efficiently.

Advantages of a Deep Site Structure

  • Better Content Organization – A deep structure helps categorize information in a logical and hierarchical way, making it easier to manage large websites with thousands of pages.
  • Stronger Topical Authority – By grouping related content under specific categories and subcategories, search engines can better understand the topical authority of internal pages, potentially improving rankings for niche topics.
  • Improved User Experience for Niche Audiences – If users are looking for highly specific information, a deep structure can guide them step by step, ensuring they land on the most relevant content rather than being overwhelmed by too many options at once.

While a deep site structure offers freedom, it can also lead to navigation issues, making it harder for users and search engines to find relevant content. It’s best suited for platforms where discovery and engagement matter more than structured navigation.

Flat Structure 

example of flat site structure

A flat site structure, also known as a hierarchical model or tree model, is one of the most effective ways to organize a website

In this setup, all key pages are just a few clicks away from the homepage, making navigation smooth and efficient. Unlike deep or chaotic structures, a flat structure ensures that both users and search engines can easily find and access content without getting lost in unnecessary layers.

Advantages of a Flat Site Structure

  • Better SEO & Faster Indexing – Since all important pages are directly linked and easy to access, search engines can crawl and index them faster. This improves visibility on search results and prevents pages from being buried too deep, where they might go unnoticed.
  • Easier User Experience & Navigation – Users don’t have to click through multiple layers to find what they need. Related topics are neatly organized in dropdown menus or categorized pages, making it easy to navigate and explore additional content. This reduces frustration and keeps users engaged.
  • Stronger Internal Linking & Authority Distribution – A flat structure allows for more efficient internal linking, ensuring that page authority is evenly distributed across the site. Important pages remain easily accessible, helping boost rankings while maintaining a seamless browsing experience.

These benefits make this type of website structure one of the most popular. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s the right fit for every website. Having too many links on your homepage can overwhelm users, making it harder to find relevant content. This website structure may not be ideal for websites with complex categories, deep content layers, or users who need a more guided browsing experience.

Matrix Structure 

example of matrix site structure

Think of a matrix site structure like a web of interconnected paths rather than a straight road. Also known as a web model, this structure lacks a predefined user journey, allowing visitors to explore freely based on their interests.

Unlike hierarchical structures, matrix models emphasize flexibility. This structure makes it easy for users to have total freedom to browse. It is commonly used in large websites with interrelated content, such as e-commerce platforms like Amazon or news websites. While there are still main pages with parent and child categories, the order in which users find them is irrelevant. Instead, strong internal linking ensures users can access content in just a few clicks.

Advantages of a Matrix Site Structure

  • Flexible Navigation – Users can follow multiple paths based on preferences, whether by product, service, industry, or use case.
  • Multiple Entry Points – Search engines can index pages through various pathways, improving visibility for different keyword variations.
  • Dynamic Information Flow – Content is structured dynamically, avoiding rigid hierarchies while keeping large websites easy to explore.

However, a matrix structure can overwhelm users who lack a clear objective. Too many navigation options may lead to confusion, and frequent updates are needed to maintain relevant internal links.

Despite these challenges, matrix models remain popular for websites designed to encourage deep engagement rather than guide users along a fixed path.

How to Pick the Right Website Structure

Before you start building your website structure, start by organizing your content and selecting a framework that creates the best experience for visitors.

Many site structures share overlapping use cases, and each one comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Plus, they aren’t mutually exclusive. You can combine elements from different models to build a structure that aligns with your goals and content strategy.

The right approach depends on your website’s purpose, content volume, and the needs of your target audience.

Key Takeaway

Understanding different types of website structures is essential for creating a site that’s easy to navigate, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. A well-planned structure improves usability, enhances credibility, and helps search engines index content efficiently. Whether you choose a linear, deep, flat, or matrix structure, the right approach depends on your website’s purpose, content volume, and user needs. 

By selecting and implementing the right website structure, you can create a seamless experience that keeps visitors engaged and boosts your online visibility.

The post Exploring Different Types of Website Structures and How They Impact UX & SEO appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
https://seo-hacker.com/different-types-website-structure/feed/ 0 208158
Dynamic Website: The Ultimate Guide https://seo-hacker.com/dynamic-website/ https://seo-hacker.com/dynamic-website/#respond Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:28:20 +0000 https://seo-hacker.com/?p=206509 What you see on Twitter gets changed based on your activity. Our recommendations, homepage, and trends won’t be the same. Other social media and forum platforms like Quora, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook are the same way. But social media is far from being the only example of dynamic websites, and you are more familiar with […]

The post Dynamic Website: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
Dynamic website cover photo

There are various kinds of websites out there: from e-commerce websites, calendar websites, to-do websites, to purely informational ones that you don’t really get to interact with. We access these websites every day. Thing is, you can split these websites in two camps: dynamic and static websites. In this blog post, I’m discussing what a dynamic website is, how to build one, and when you should.

What is a dynamic website?

According to Amelia, “a dynamic website… can display different content and provide user interaction, by making use of advanced programming and databases in addition to HTML.” Basically, dynamic websites (or database-driven sites) can take more time and effort versus static websites because they are more interactive, functional, and flexible (plus dynamic websites usually have a lot of pages).

Some people say that dynamic websites need more coding, but it really depends on you. Some prefer to build websites from scratch, others prefer using software to make the job a whole lot easier.

Examples of dynamic websites

If you’re wondering if you have ever seen a dynamic website—you have. Take Twitter for example:

Twitter SEO Hacker

What you see on Twitter gets changed based on your activity. Our recommendations, homepage, and trends won’t be the same. Other social media and forum platforms like Quora, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook are the same way.

But social media is far from being the only example of dynamic websites, and you are more familiar with them than you think. Check out the SEO Hacker website:

SEO Hacker dynamic website

It’s interactive and it regularly gets updated with content. You can even get a free website analysis, and the results will show up on the page itself.

As you can see, blogs and e-commerce sites, to-do sites, streaming sites, and any other website that regularly changes up its content are called dynamic websites.

Differences between static and dynamic websites

Now, there are some who say that some websites that are usually categorized as dynamic (such as blogs) are static websites. When a website is static, it displays content that is similar to everyone, across users. In this case, I would argue that it depends. Most blogs I know are dynamic, as we can arrange content by date and categories, and we can even comment on the posts. So, if your website is mostly informational and users can’t really interact with them, then they’re static.

And for another quick comparison—you kind of need to understand HTML and coding when creating a static website. There are static website generators out there that can provide you with a framework, but there is still coding involved.

Some examples of static websites are documentation sites and company information sites.

What is the easiest way to build a dynamic website?

Perhaps the easiest way to build a dynamic website is to use a CMS or a content management system like WordPress. When you use a CMS, you can create and interact with website content without having to change the code.

If you want to build a dynamic website but:

  1. You aren’t a professional developer or you simply don’t feel confident in your coding skills;
  2. You want to focus on content creation over website development;
  3. You know your website will have a lot of pages; or
  4. You simply don’t have the time to code because there are other things you need to focus on like running the business you’re building your website for;

I recommend using a CMS.

For example, when I write a blog post here on SEO Hacker, I don’t have to code its contents—I just use the editor and format the post there.

Edit WordPress Post

WordPress also has themes you can choose and install so that you can easily style what your website looks like.

And WordPress isn’t the only CMS out there you can use, by the way. There’s also Joomla, Squarespace, Drupal, and other kinds to pick and choose from.

When should you build a dynamic website?

At first, I was thinking that I should add here a list of pros and cons, then I realized that it isn’t really a question of why you should pick a dynamic website over a static website, but when.

It’s important to remember that the kind of website you’re choosing to build has a purpose. If it’s purely informational and it isn’t going to be updated much, you pick a static website.

But if…

Your website has frequent information updates

Let’s say you’re running a blog that gets updated regularly. It would be more convenient to create a dynamic website (again, through a CMS) because updating would be a breeze.

Look at the photo I shared earlier of the draft of this blog post. The editor looks like a plain document editor. Underneath all that is the code, but if I don’t need to edit anything in the code (such as adding rel=“nofollow” to the external links), then I don’t even really need to tinker with it.

To hammer the point further, the SEO Hacker blog has 191 pages. There are roughly five posts per page, so there are around a whopping 950+ blog posts here, give or take.

Imagine if I have to code every single one of them.

Multiple people are contributing to the website

Let’s say you have a team handling your business website. By creating a dynamic website, your team members can create, manage, and update content in your website without having to figure out how to program. They can simply access the editor, put the content there, and upload it.

Let’s take a look at the HubSpot blog as an example:

HubSpot Blog dynamic website

As you can see, there are multiple authors—meaning, multiple contributors. Dynamic websites make this easier as, again, the contributors can just access the editor, add, and publish their content there.

You make use of various functionalities

In dynamic websites, you can install what we call “plugins” really easily. You literally just pick and choose. Whether you need contact forms, Disqus, redirections, spam protections, and other functionalities, you can check your CMS or you can upload your own using a .zip file.

WordPress Plugins

You want leads to engage with your website

Lastly, dynamic websites are incredible for user engagement. The content is interactive and is built for, well, engagement.

Your leads can input their data in your forms, they can search for products, they can leave comments, and you can provide them constantly with new information.

Let’s take a look at my other website, Leadership Stack:

Leadership Stack dynamic website

If you’re doing any sort of sales or content marketing, engagement and easy updating is what you want. In that case, a dynamic website is your best friend. Your leads get to read your blog posts, listen to your podcast, watch your videos, check out your merch, and subscribe to your channel (or channels) in one website.

Key takeaway

There are various reasons as to why you should build a dynamic website as I have discussed in this post. And the only question left really is: Is it what you need?

If you know you want your website to be more than just an informational one that you are most likely to set and forget, then a dynamic website is for you. If you want engagement from your potential leads and customers, then a dynamic website is for you. If you know that you will be constantly updating your website with new information and at some point, you want a whole team to be dedicated to managing the contents of your website, then a dynamic website is for you.

Let me know if this explainer was helpful for you!

The post Dynamic Website: The Ultimate Guide appeared first on SEO Services Agency in Manila, Philippines.

]]>
https://seo-hacker.com/dynamic-website/feed/ 0 206509