A database driven website is a website that has most of its webpage content in a database. Therefore, the website content isn't actually sitting in files on the server, it is sitting in tables and columns in a database.
A website with its content stored on the file system is often referred to as a static website, whereas a database driven website is often referred to as a dynamic.
A website with dynamic content usually has a CMS (Content Management System) to assist the content providers in updating the website
A CMS Website is usually provided in the form of an administration area where content providers need to log in before they can add content. Once logged in, they can create, update and delete articles. They may be able to upload files such as Word documents, PDF files etc. They might be able to upload images too.
All of this content can be stored in the database. Some may be stored on the file system too though. For example, although documents and images can be stored in the database, there are sometimes reasons to store them on the file system. Performance is often a key reason. Database size is another.
Discussion forums and blogs have become a popular feature for many websites. Most, if not all, forums and blogs are database driven. Users can register their details, then add content. When the user clicks the "Submit" button, their details/content is inserted into the database. Then when someone decides to view this content, it is read from the database using SQL (Structured Query Language).
Combination of Static and Dynamic: Some websites have a combination of static content and dynamic content. There could be any number of reasons for this. Often, smaller websites will be static. There's little need to configure a database just to store a handful of webpages - much easier and cheaper to keep them as files on the server. Even websites like this might contain some added functionality such as a discussion forum, or a blog. In this case, the discussion forum or blog will need its content stored in a database.
Database driven websites can provide much more functionality than a static site can. Extended functionality could include:
A database driven web site essentially stores information that is added to a site, and then presents this information to the user, most typically by way of a search. ie. Such as a search form on a property website.
Databases are used for larger and more involved projects, but we always keep the admin side of the site, easy to use and user friendly. We design our sites using the programming language asp.net in conjunction with sql server, which creates a very stable and scalable solution.
You can run your own database driven website with the minimum of technical knowledge, if you can fill out a form you can run your own site. We provide an admin area for your site, to allow you to administer your site in a quick and easy manner.
How much will a database driven website cost? Costwise, our bespoke sites are very affordable .
This includes everything required for such a site - A domain name, web hosting, website design, all database work, all programming, integration with a payment processor if required, basic optimisation and submission to Google & the other main search engines.