In talking with a few people I am getting the impression that most just want a static webpage with email service. It seems they want things simple and maybe some sort of shopping cart if they are a small business. Are others out there seeing this trend too?

Well if they want a shopping cart.. chances are they will need some sort of database for that.. flat file ain't the way to go.

Good lord, if I could find some design customers that just wanted straight up flat files, I'd be in heaven, LOL! I love doing custom programming, but it's GREAT when you land a design project that's NOT within your usual norms. ::chuckles::

Anyways, to answer your question, I've noticed that most of my customers prefer the flexibility of a database driven web site over a flat file website. It makes updating/organizing/redesigning it a LOT easier.

It depends on the niche market that you're catering to. One host my pick up the market of clients looking for just static html websites, while another may pick up database intensive websites. The results will be different for just about each and every web host. There is no set trend really.

keep in mind mysql is required for many things, including forums

mysql is needed from everything from forums to blogs. You really need if you want a wide range of customers.

Originally posted by Prism329
Good lord, if I could find some design customers that just wanted straight up flat files, I'd be in heaven, LOL! I love doing custom programming, but it's GREAT when you land a design project that's NOT within your usual norms. ::chuckles::

Anyways, to answer your question, I've noticed that most of my customers prefer the flexibility of a database driven web site over a flat file website. It makes updating/organizing/redesigning it a LOT easier.
By "flat file", Haze was talking about cgi flat file where info is stored in a writable text file rather than stored logically in a database.

Flat file does not mean html.

Actually, it does, as it's still a physical file that contains data/information. HTML and CGI files are both flat files. I digress, we're taking this off topic a bit, though. ::chuckles::

I can only speak for myself, but since I started using PHP I'm also using MySQL a lot. Building a local search engine for your site is something you can do with a DB, as well as a small guestbook/messageboard. It just makes the design easier because you know you have the tool if you need it. If your cleitns don't ask for it, maybe they don't know what it can do? Why not set up a list with things that makes the website easier to manage if you use MySQL? I'm sure more people will ask for it then.

Thanks guys. I am only getting requests for static sites right now, but I guess if you have all the features you should make them available. I can see cutting them out would be a mistake!

Chances are if they want dynamic content, forums, CMS, or just a mailing list, they will need a database thus mysql is needed.

A lot of my customers want the database, they all seem to like to run small forums, most of which require a MY SQL database

I look for perl, mysql, and cron jobs!