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Static websites
A static website is a series of flat pages with links. Static pages are usually built using templates. Items common to all static pages can be altered globally by editing the templates on which they are based. Style sheets can be used to force common style (font type, headings etc). To maintain a static website, you need some sort of HTML editing software that supports templates and style sheets, and some uploading software. Knowledge of HTML can be reduced by using templates and style sheets set up by a web designer, but cannot be eliminated altogether. Static websites are fine for sites that are relatively small and don't need regular routine updating.

Dynamic websites
Dynamic websites use online databases to store data. Scripts request that data from the database and display it automatically when a link or search is clicked. The data is displayed using templates, and style sheets, as in static websites, but these are automatically and dynamically generated. The data on which dynamic websites depend can be added, modified, or deleted using a series of administrative forms in a passworded administration area.

Content Management System
The administration area is the basis of SP's customised Content Management System (CMS). Our CMS allows the user to routinely add, modify, or delete data, and then submit it online to the database so it immediately goes live on the front end website. It is designed to be intuitive, simple and quick to use, and modelled to the client's specific data needs. The design attempts to model for future growth of the client's website, so that adding, say, a section, or a subsection also becomes routine.

"I've been adding the remaining pages to the site and it all seems to be working very well. I'm particularly impressed with how easy and quick it is."

There are some off-the-peg CMS out there. Many of these still require some technical knowledge, and require a licence each year priced on the number of users. These are built for all occasions and all types of users so they can become very complex to allow for the vast variety of possible needs. Through strong analysis and communication, SP's CMS is built specifically for your purpose, thus allowing you to concentrate on your core business without the need to learn a new language or technical skill. For those who require more control over source code, a facility is included to see and edit the code. Plain English help notes are provided throughout.

Levels of authentication (passwords, logins), and authorisation (for example, a senior staff member might need to authorise a junior's additions before they go live) can be added. The client has control over who is authenticated or authorised.

Process
Our process in developing a customised CMS involves an initial analysis and specification stage. Here we set out the scope of the project and develop broad user requirements. This is followed by a detailed technical specification, and design prototypes. Once all technical and design requirements are agreed, we build, test, and launch the website and CMS. Clear lines of communication are established at all stages. Once launched, the website is handed over, and the client should be able to easily maintain their website for the foreseeable future.