How do I know if I need a database driven web site?
Not everyone needs their web site to be dynamic. For some, a straight up HTML web site is more than enough to showcase their company, products, or services, especially if their information doesn't change or changes infrequently.

For others, a database driven web site makes sense because it will give them complete and efficient control over their web pages. While I can help guide you to the solution that best fits your needs, here are some basic guidelines to help you determine if you should look more closely at database driven architecture.

E-commerce Considerations
Are you looking to sell more than a dozen products through your online store? Will you need to add new products or edit those already showcased? Do you have a large number of products that offer a wide range of colors or options? Would you like to be able to store customer information so that you can target specific buyers or provide fast and easy check-outs?

Information Considerations
Does your website provide a large amount of information that needs to be regularly updated? Would you like to automatically serve up information to visitors based on parameters they set? Would you like to be able to enter data once and then have it instantly updated throughout your entire website?

Marketing Considerations
Do you need to showcase a revolving and changing list of inventory? Would you like to easily add a new article and have links automatically generated throughout your site? Do you want to deliver targeted information to specific types of visitors? Are you looking to provide a support forum, technical document library, or a resource for product or service information?

Company Considerations
Does your site need to deliver customized reports to different employees? Do you want your staff or even your customers to be able to instantly access available inventory? Do you need to password-protect certain areas of your web site for employee-only access? Would you like for employees to be able to log activities, meetings, or other pertinent information?

Who might use a database driven web site design?
All in all, a database driven web site will dramatically reduce the amount of time you spend managing and maintaining your web site. Consider this...let's pretend you want to sell 100 products via your online store. With a flat HTML design you would have to create 100 individual pages. With a database driven architecture, you could use one product page layout and have the database automatically build and display the 100 pages. How many pages and links would you rather maintain? One hundred? Or one?

Want another example? Let's pretend you are a realtor and you want to promote the 100 properties you have for sale. Rather than create 100 web pages from scratch and then have to edit or delete each one as properties sell, and add others as new listings are secured, a database driven web site will give you the ability to quickly and easily maintain your properties.

Truly, the opportunities with a database driven web site are endless. So, whether you are in the planning stages or already have an established web presence, feel free to contact me to discuss your possible transition to a database driven web site.

You may also want to complete my online quote form to receive a more accurate overview of my recommendations and proposed services. Either way, I'll break the process down in easy-to-understand terms so that you can evaluate if the move is right for you and your business.