Do I need a database?

If you are asking this question, chances are, you have no idea what a database is right? Well, basically, a database is a way to store information to either change what is displayed on a web page, or it may be stored to be used later, such as sending information to you.

Databases should only be used when absolutely necessary. Depending on the settings of the server for your website, it could actually slow your load time down. It WILL slow the load time of the page a little, but most times, it will not even be noticible, even if the visitor has telephone access. When we say this, we mean that it may slow the load time by mili seconds. If the site takes a long time to load in the first place, this could be devastating to your site, if the site is made properly, and if pictures are compressed properly etc. then this will not make much of a difference at all.

Databases can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If you have a really large site, then a database is the way to go. If you only have a few pages for your website, then you really need to think about what you want your website to do, and then determine if you need a database for it.

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