Static site or subscription builder?
Not every site needs a builder and a monthly plan. For many sites, a static page you own is the better call.
On this page
TL;DR
A static site is a set of files: fast, secure, cheap to host and fully yours. A subscription builder adds a live editor and dynamic features but charges monthly. For a portfolio, a menu, an event or a landing page, a static site published once is usually enough.
What each one is
A static site is plain HTML, CSS and images served as files. Nothing to log into, nothing to keep running. A subscription builder is a hosted application where you edit in a dashboard and pay while the site is live.
When a static site wins
- The content changes rarely: a portfolio, a CV, an event, a brand page
- You care about speed and want nothing to maintain
- You want to own the files and avoid a recurring bill
When a builder wins
- You publish new content weekly and want a dashboard
- You need a store, bookings or member logins built in
- You want to edit visually without touching files
The middle path
If your site is static but you do not want to handle hosting, a one-time publish gives you the best of both: a fast site you own, put online without a subscription. SayLive does this for €99 once, taking the files your agent built and serving them for good.
Static where it fits, published without a monthly bill.
Where the line actually sits, what a static site can and cannot do, is set out in the docs and in the use cases.
Frequently asked
Is a static site good enough for a business?
For many businesses, yes. A portfolio, a restaurant menu, a service landing page or an event site works perfectly as a fast static site. You add a builder only when you need dynamic features.
Do static sites need a subscription?
No. Static files can be hosted very cheaply or as part of a one-time publish. SayLive publishes them for €99 once, with hosting included and no monthly plan.
Can a static site have a contact form?
Yes. A static site can include a form that sends submissions to an email or a service, without turning the whole site into a dynamic application.