Static Website

Definition

A static website is a collection of web pages with fixed content, where each page is coded in HTML and displays the same information to every visitor. These websites are not interactive, meaning they do not allow users to input data or request specific content.

Analogy

Imagine a restaurant with a fixed menu. No matter when you visit, the menu remains the same, and you can only choose from the items listed. A static website is like that restaurant; the content is predetermined, and visitors cannot request any changes or customizations.

In other words

A static website is a simple, unchanging website with fixed content for all visitors.

Why is a static website important?

It's one thing to know what a static website is, but that is worthless if you don't know why you should know what a static website is in the first place. Let's break down the importance of this tech term based on two high-level categories. We'll walk through an explanation as well as provide a score, 1-10, that shows you how much you should care about static websites.

Pre-Product: 9/10

If you don't have a product yet, static websites are important because they are quick to develop, easy to maintain, and cost-effective. They are an excellent choice for startups in the ideation phase or those preparing for development. A static website can serve as a temporary online presence, allowing you to share information about your product, team, and vision with potential customers and investors.

Live Product: 6/10

If you have a live product, a static website may still be relevant, but its importance depends on your product and target audience. If your product does not require user interaction, a static website may suffice. However, if your product relies on user input or dynamic content, you should consider a more interactive, dynamic website to better serve your customers.

Examples of static websites

So you know what a static website is, by definition. You know if you should care about it or not depending on your situation as a business/company/product. To dig in deeper, we will walk through some tools and processes so we can make sure you really have a solid grasp on static websites.

Example Static Website Builders

1. Jekyll: Jekyll is a popular static site generator that takes your content, renders it with templates, and generates a complete, static website ready for deployment. It's perfect for blogs, portfolios, and documentation.
2. Hugo: Hugo is another static site generator that is known for its speed and flexibility. It supports a wide range of content formats and is ideal for creating websites, blogs, and documentation.
3. Gatsby: Gatsby is a modern static site generator that uses React and GraphQL to build high-performance websites. It's great for creating web applications, blogs, and e-commerce sites.

Key Takeaways:

1. A static website is a simple, unchanging website with fixed content for all visitors.
2. If you do not yet have a product, static websites are important as they are quick to develop, easy to maintain, and cost-effective.
3. If you do have a product, the importance of a static website depends on your product and target audience.
4. Examples of static website builders include Jekyll, Hugo, and Gatsby.