How much more expensive is a dynamic site to build than a static one?

Question

I want to create a website listing properties for rent. I am starting small as I only have a few properties at the moment, so it seemed to make sense to just have a few static pages strung together.

In the future though, when i have more properties i will want to be able to add paramaterised searches and other functionality which will demand a database driven site.

Would i be recommended to start with the dynamic site from the start? How much more expensive to build will it be than just the simple static version?

Answer 1

> "Would i be recommended to start with the dynamic site from the start?"

How soon do you see yourself expanding the site? If it is 6 months or more, you don't need a dynamic site now.

> "How much more expensive to build will it be than just the simple static version?"
Considerably more. HTML and CSS charge money, but nothing like a programmer(s) for a dynamic site. You also have the costs of running a dynamic site. You'll need something that can support a database and the programming language of choice, and that can also increases costs.

A simple site that is really just a search through a database of property listings is relatively simple, so it won't cost that much, if you get a honest developer. If you start to go beyond that, you'll see your costs go up rapidly.

Answer 2

Time = Money

If you have the time to spend keeping your site up to date, then keep the static website.....it will get boring real fast.

A dynamic site will update itself as you input the data for the new properties.

If you want to get fancy......you can use a flag that will dictate whether the property is shown on the site.......useful if you want to input information ahead of time or if you want to de-list a property because it rented. That way the info is STILL in the system for when/if you need to list it again......just update it (if needed) and re-activate the property.

in the end, it will be more expensive to keep a static site.

Answer 3

Well to be honest, the cost is minimal if you use some of the great open source content management systems to build your site.

Many web hosts these days include the ability to instal one directly from the users control panel.

Things like
phpwebsite http://phpwebsite.appstate.edu
phpnuke http://phpnuke.org

will give you a fully dyamic website with minimal costs - you still need to develop a template (which sets the look etc for your site) but once done you can edit, add, change, anything on the site directly from the site. If you can use a wordprocessor you can add items, delete them etc.

Its ideal for properties as you can change them daily if needs be and never call a programmer.

Check hosting sites that include one. Itll save you a bunch, I know I use them for clients all the time.