Databases are used to store data. They can help a great deal when web sites hold a medium to large amount of information. Many web design companies use them to hold individual page information for their clients. They then design a template or skin or wrapper that calls the information as needed.

To give you an example, go to your favorite news web site. See all of the images and colors on the header and down the left side? See the ads? See the menus and buttons? Most likely those are part of the template. They come up on nearly every page to give consistency to the site. Now, look at the title and content. As you click from page to page those swap out along with the page images. These pieces of info are stored in a database.

Another example is right in front of you as you read this. The A|R logo and top bar are part of the template. The article you are reading is stored in a database and pulled when you click on the link.

Look up at the address bar (where the URL is). You will notice numbers and words that don't make sense. Sometimes you see "id=bla_bla_bla" or something similar. That is the record where the information is stored in the database. The links on the template point to that record and that is how it is pulled up in the template.

Most real estate agents wouldn't even want to mess with learning about administering a database or developing around it. Your site will usually only have a database "backend" if you hire a company to design it. It is a great option if you have a company to do it for you.

Benefits of having a database and template web site

The key benefit is adding new pages is relatively simple. Think of how difficult it is to add a new page to A|R. It takes seconds to add a page. Most blog tools rely on a database. Another benefit is found in page management. Designers can categorize pages in many ways and pull them up easily. Just think of how easy it is to link a blog entry to many A|R groups. Within seconds you can add your link all over the place, or remove it if you need.

Downsides to using a database

The major downside to using a database is that you have to know how to do it. It is not a simple technology for many people. Rarely you'll get someone who can just pick it up. You have to pay for great development usually. It can be costly. Another thing to keep in mind is to backup the database frequently. What happens if one of the database pieces gets corrupt? You loose your whole site.

Templates and databases can save a lot of time in the long term. Consider finding a company that does what you need with database templates and you may have a huge head start in your site's deployment.

For more real estate web site technology ideas visit the Table of Contents - Technology page.