Websites can generally be divided into two categories based on how their content is updated: static and dynamic.

• Static websites: To update any content—whether it’s your contact information, product details, or other basic content—you must directly edit the site’s HTML or coding. Unless you’re experienced in web development, you’ll have to rely entirely on your developer for any updates. 
• Dynamic websites: These allow non-technical users, such as business owners or marketing teams, to update content easily without a developer’s assistance. This capability is provided by software known as a Content Management System (CMS). 

WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms globally. At IF Solutions, we primarily use WordPress for dynamic websites because it empowers clients to edit around 99% of their website content independently, without relying on a developer for regular updates.

While a CMS like WordPress provides the basics for managing a website, your site may require additional functionalities, such as:

• Selling products or services online.
• Collecting donations or subscription payments.
• Creating advanced contact forms.

These additional features aren’t part of a standard CMS and require Plugins. Plugins are specialized software extensions you can add to your CMS. Many plugins are free, such as WooCommerce, which allows you to run a fully functional online store at no additional cost.

However, some plugins are premium (paid), often involving a one-time or annual subscription. Premium plugins generally offer enhanced features, regular updates, and dedicated customer support.

As mentioned earlier, a CMS is software designed to help users easily create, manage, and modify content on a website without needing deep technical knowledge. Popular examples of CMS platforms include:

• WordPress (widely used, user-friendly, highly customizable)
• Joomla (preferred for larger websites with complex functionalities)
• Drupal (suitable for high-traffic, highly secure websites)

Your developer will recommend the best CMS for your project based on your specific requirements, budget, and future scalability goals.

Are you looking to sell your products or services directly from your website? Then WooCommerce is one of your best choices.

WooCommerce is a popular, free e-commerce plugin for WordPress designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. It transforms your WordPress site into a fully functional online store, supporting product listings, inventory management, secure online payments, shipping integration, and much more.

In addition, WooCommerce provides:

• Excellent customer support resources.
• Regular security updates.
• Vast customization capabilities.

It’s a cost-effective solution that allows businesses to efficiently sell online, manage customer interactions, and scale their online presence.

In website development, a library refers to a collection of pre-written code snippets and functions designed to simplify web development. Developers use libraries to speed up their workflow, maintain consistency, and improve website performance.

Common libraries used in web development include:

• Bootstrap (for responsive and modern UI design)
• jQuery (for simplifying JavaScript functionalities)

Libraries are important because they save developers significant time, reduce errors, and improve the overall quality of the final website.

Conclusion 

By understanding these five technical terms, you’ll be better equipped to communicate your needs effectively and work closely with your development team to create the perfect website for your business.