Web site firms can speak your language

In the Web design and development industry, there’s a growing disparity between “tech speak” and what clients know and understand about the different types of Web sites. In an effort to close the great divide, here’s a quick primer.

HTML, or Hyper Text Markup Language, is the basic coding language for Web pages. After a site is laid out so that, at a minimum, the navigation tools and logo are clearly displayed on a page, developers use letters and symbols to define how the page will look on the Internet. The resulting site is essentially controlled by HTML.

There are many programs to help new designers with the layout of the site. Called “editors,” some of these include Adobe Go Live, Microsoft Front Page and Macromedia Dreamweaver. In general, but not always, these programs can help with building a “static” Web site.

Static Web sites are like brochures. They provide information that seldom changes. Once a static — or fixed — site is posted to the Web, it won’t change until someone modifies it by altering the information or the underlying code.

Static Web sites differ greatly from dynamic sites. A dynamic Web site (often referred to as a database-driven site) uses advanced programming languages to allow data to flow in and out of the site. For example, an online business directory may allow local companies to sign up and create profiles for their businesses. These profiles would be used by visitors to the site who may search the directory based on their needs; while one person may conduct a search for a lawyer in their ZIP code who speaks Spanish, another person may search for a beginner’s yoga class. Think of this type of site as a classified ad; the information could change at any moment.

Another significant feature of dynamic Web sites: owners may upload both pictures and text on their own, preferably through a password-protected, administrative interface. Once logged in, an owner (or someone the owner designates) can easily add, edit, or delete most content that’s available on the site; one doesn’t require a proficiency in HTML or Web site design to update or maintain such a site.

A “content management system,” commonly known as a CMS, has a variety of uses. Consider, for example, a typical e-commerce (electronic commerce or shopping) Web site. As products become obsolete, they can be deleted. As other items go on sale, prices can be reduced or modified. And, as new products become available, they can be added to the site. Any or all of these modifications can be done any time during the day or night.

Although a dynamic site is indeed interactive, a Flash site may be both interactive and animated. Flash sites are created using a software program by Macromedia called, not surprisingly, “Flash.” Essentially, this type of site is a movie using graphics that can be scaled to any size without losing clarity.

An advantage of Flash is that it’s virtually independent of browsers. However, visitors to a Flash site need to download and install a plug-in (a software module that adds a specific feature to a larger system) before they can see anything. The good news: the latest browsers come installed with the Flash plug-in.

Programming languages such as JAVA Script, php, asp, .net (dot net), Cold Fusion, XML, and perl, can be used in conjunction with databases such as SQL (pronounced “sequel”) Server and MySQL to create a dynamic site. Although these terms are often bantered about, most developers have their own preference for a particular language and database, and good programmers can create the type of site required by most businesses.

As the Internet grows, more and more sites are becoming database-dependent. That doesn’t necessarily mean any one language or program is better than another. It simply means that it’s becoming more cost-effective to have a Web site designed so that it will last beyond tomorrow’s headlines.

So, if you’re thinking about a Web site, seriously consider what you require and the budget you’ll need to get there. Then, when interviewing Web-design and -development firms, ask a lot of questions. Remember, it’s your buck and your site.