To understand dynamic web pages, you have to understand what are normal or 'static' web pages.
A static or normal web page is one that does not change every time the page is loaded by the browser. The only change that you will see in static web pages is to see them load and unload, like what happens when you click on a hyperlink to change pages.
In a nutshell: static web pages (normal pages built by a web designer) always look the same and the content never changes unless a new page is added or a page is changed and the new version of the page is uploaded to the web server.
Dynamic pages do the opposite, they can change every time they are loaded (without you having to make those changes) and they can change their content based on what user does, like clicking on some text or an image.
One of the most common types of dynamic web pages is the database driven type. This means that the web page takes information from a database (the web page is connected to the database by programming,) and inserts that information into the web page each time it is displayed.
If the information stored in the database changes, the web page connected to the database will also change accordingly (and automatically,) without human intervention.
This is commonly seen on online banking sites where you can log in (by entering your user name and password) and look at your bank account balance and transaction history. Your bank account information is stored in a database and has been connected to the web page with programming thus enabling you to see your banking information.
Imagine if the web page holding your banking information had to be redesigned by web designers every time your bank balance changed!
The most usual application for businesses of database driven sites ( or dynamic sites ) is the E-commerce application. In simple terms this is an online shop. For example this site selling electrical goods. Here we have a front end ( the part of the site seen by the visitor ) which displays products and prices and allows searchs and online purchasing of goods. What is not seen is the administration part of the web site ( or back end ) which is only accessible by the web site owner and allows him, by communicating with the database, to add new products, set prices and administer his sales all online. To learn more about these type of sites, visit this page about e-commerce web sites.
The next most popular application of dynamic or database driven sites is the Content Managment System ( CMS ). Many companies and organisations want to be able to edit or add content of their own to their web sites without having to constantly involve the original web designer ( or employ a designer permanently ) As search engines place more and more emphasis on both content itself and the freshness of that content, being able to add new content and update old content becomes more important.
The drawback to many CMS systems to date has been threefold : initial cost, complexity and extensive training needs. All these 3 areas or obstacles are now being improved and addressed. To learn more about CMS systems and to see how we could help, please go to this page.
The number of applications that have now been developed for web sites which are database driven or dynamic is extensive and ranges from some fairly common uses to completely unique or bespoke applications. The common applications would include Calendars, Forums ( Guest books ), Image Galleries, Project Managment systems, Estate Agency or Rental Agency systems, Hotel Booking systems and Help Desk/Customer Relations applications. To learn more about these and to see some examples from our own portfolio, please visit this page.