Should I use premade website scripts?
Premade scripts are basically fully functional dynamic packages that you can set up as a full fledged web site. These differ from premade templates in that they contain dynamic scripting language to instantly build sites like community forums, image galleries, ecommerce systems and hundreds of other applications. Many of these also include database setups. Like premade templates, dynamic website packages can range from free (also called Open Source) to paid versions, and your website needs and budget will help determine which type you made need.
To clarify a little more, a "script" in this case refers to several premade web pages that work together, include a dynamic scripting language, and will usually include the need for a database or flat file data storage system. The main benefit is that you can set up an instantly usable interactive website without any knowledge of HTML, CSS or scripting languages.
We mentioned Open Souce. Primarily, this means that the script is usually offered for free use, and the source code can freely be edited to more suit your needs or to create additional functionality. Scripts that are Open Source often, but not always, have a large user community to assist new users, offer new bits of code to add more customized options, lend troubleshooting support, and many offer free templates designed by other users so that you have more visual options to choose from. Not all of these packages are free; whether the package is OS or a paid version is entirely up to the creators of the software. OS packages usually offer some type of community support, which is other users like yourself who are familiar with the software, while paid versions should have support from the creators of the software.
Scripts can be written in several different languages, including PHP, Perl, ASP and many others. Most will use databases like MySQL, MSSQL and other popular systems. You do not necessarily need to know how these languages work, but some basic knowledge in the one you select is always helpful. We don't promote one scripting language over another, as they all have their benefits and drawbacks. The most important thing in setting up one of these packages is to know what language it is written in, and making sure that your hosting package support that language, and database type if one is needed.
There are basically 2 methods to working with these programs.
Method 1: PC Development
Like premade templates, you will want to set these up on your own PC to test them and become familiar with them, even customize them if needed. The drawback is that, unlike HTML templates, you cannot simply open the files and view the pages as they will probably not be using .html extensions. Because of the language used, standard html pages can't interoperate with the script; while HTML can be added into dynamic pages, these languages languages cannot simply be added into html files. The solution is that you will need to probably download and install a program on your PC that will create a sever type of sytem for these files to work correctly. These programs can automatically add the software needed onto your PC with just a little information from you, and for the most part it is not a technical challenge to do so. Once this is in place, the software should have instructions on how to set up your files and be able to work with your dynamic script. Another nice thing about installing this type of software is that it gives you an environment to learn scripting, so that you can not only modify scripts you have downloaded but learn to write your own if you'd like.
Method 2: Fantastico
One trend of hosting companies is the use of Fantastico®. Fantastico is a system that, with a few clicks, can install many open source programs for you within your hosting account. So let's say that you want to set up an online store. You look for a hosting account, and see that "Themostperfecthostingcompany.com" offers preinstalled scripts, including OSCommerce, a popular open source shopping system. You sign up with the hosting company, and within your CPanel ( your personal hosting control area ) you go into the Fantastico section. There you find OSCommerce, select it, add some basic information, and within minutes your OSCommerce system is set up and ready to run. Quick, easy and no downloads to your PC. Fantastico offers this system with many open source scripts, like bulletin boards, classifieds, blogs, and dozens of other programs. The downside is that, since it isn't loaded on your own PC, the aspects of editing, customizing, testing and so forth are more limited. So while this is easier and quicker for a new web site owner, it may be more difficult to get familiar with the system and customize it to your own liking.
Premade scripts can be found online to make nearly any type of website you may want, and even some you may never have thought of. These are a viable way to set up an interactive, dynamic website with minimal time and cost needed to get started, and there are literally thousands upon thousands of web sites that have started this way.
Following are the benefits and drawbacks of premade website scripts.
- · Quickly set up an interactive, dynamic website with your own content.
- · No knowledge of coding is needed.
- · No designer/developer is needed, saving time and money.
- · Often have community or creator based support.
- · Many popular, well known systems are free to use and edit.
- · Can easily be set up with many hosting companies.
- · Possibility your site won't be unique looking if templates are used and not edited.
- · Knowledge of the scripts language needed to edit software functionality.
- · Download and installation of special programs to your PC for self development is required.
- · Hosting used must be compatible for the scripts language, as well as offer compatible database systems if needed.
- · Not all scripts are free, and some may require recurring licensing to use.
With the large number of sites devoted to offering template packages, this has become a very common way for new website owners to fairly quickly build their first web site with a minimal starting cost.