Short definition

Static website — a website whose pages are built ahead of time as files and delivered without server-side processing or a database query for each request.

Also known as: static site, statically generated website.

A static website consists of pages built before a visitor arrives. The server delivers a ready-made file and does not query a database for every page view. Content changes trigger a new build, which can run automatically.

How does a static website work?

Source content such as Markdown, MDX, or data files is turned into final HTML during a build. The result is published as files on a server or CDN. Interactive features such as search or forms can use client-side JavaScript or external services.

What does this mean for a small business?

Static delivery can provide fast pages, low hosting costs, and a smaller attack surface. The trade-off is that content changes require a new build. Editors can still use a CMS such as Storyblok, with a deployment webhook that triggers the build, or work through a Git-based editing process.

What should you watch for in a static website?

  • define an editorial workflow before the first page goes live;
  • check every build automatically for broken links and missing assets;
  • combine static delivery with a CDN for global speed;
  • think ahead about forms, search, and other dynamic additions;

How it relates to other website choices

A static site is often built with a framework like Astro and served through web hosting or a CDN. Content can still be managed in a headless CMS.