The Benefits of Databases

If your website is going to have any dynamic (frequently changing) content or interactive features, like searches, sorts, etc., you absolutely need a database driving those pages or features. Among other things, databases provide a way for the average person to update content on a website. You don't need a web programmer to make frequent changes. Instead, special screens (called admin screens) can be provided so that anyone in your company, with the appropriate security, can make changes to the content of a web page.

Example: Projects List
Let's take, for example, a project list. Say you want to show your potential customers a list of the recent projects your construction company has completed. This is a wise move, since interested parties are going to want to see some examples of your work and the type and size of the projects you do. This provides enormous value to your website. The list can contain pictures of each project, as well as size, dollar value, location and a description of the projects.

Advanced Features & Ease of Use: Putting this data into a database and exposing it to the web allows viewers to sort the project list by project name, dollar value, whatever. It also enables the use of a search tool to narrow or filter the results so a viewer would be able to search all projects for a project on constructing a horse barn, for instance.

Maintainability: Someone in your company would need to update this data on a regular basis to keep the data current. Instead of needing someone that knows web programming, anyone in your office can update the data via the web by means of special, secure administration pages that prompt the user for the correct information and adds, modifies, or deletes the data in the database. By doing so, the website is automatically and instantly updated.