The internet would not be what it is today without the incorporation of databases. There are millions of databases existing to store all sorts of information from employee records to consumer shopping preferences. Databases are a major part of the "dynamic" website. That next significant step up from the old static format most small to medium businesses have incorporated into their websites.
So, what is a database? What are they used for? Should you incorporate one into your website?
If you are unfamiliar with the term as it relates to the web, a database is a structured collection of information or data. It can be anything from a list of email addresses to a catalog of products including the descriptions, pricing and image paths relating to those products. Database technology can facilitate site content management, information dissemination, and the online collection of survey data.
A database creates pages for your website dynamically. This means, rather than a site consisting of many static or unchanging pages, each page is generated based on information in your database, at the time the page is accessed by a user.
Dynamic, database driven websites have many advantages over a normal static site. You can customize your presentation to your customer/member. You can efficiently present your product catalog and enable visitors to purchase your product or services online. You may generate your web pages automatically based on information stored in the database.
You should use a database if you:
A database allows any data collected from the user, such as contact details, bookings or orders, to be stored efficiently for instant retrieval, and it enables users to search the site very effectively.
