The stack of tools for building your next website is growing faster than the dust bunnies under my couch.
There are technologies and frameworks for every taste.
You’ll bump into terms like Headless CMSs, AI-powered plugins, no-code builders, and hyper-flexible frameworks. All of them promise they can do everything – and then some. But in the swelling sea of complexity, one wave is quietly heading in the opposite direction:
Static. Simple. Fast.
Static Site Generators – or SSGs – are gaining traction among developers and teams tired of heavy setups and maintenance nightmares. Names like Eleventy, Gatsby, and Astro are mentioned with increasing enthusiasm. But is it just a shiny new toy for webtech geeks – or is there real value in going static?
The answer is: Yes. And maybe.
Let’s take a little tour of SSG-land.
So, what exactly is an SSG?
A static site is essentially a website built using classic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You generate everything up front and serve it as pre-built files to your users. No database queries. No server-side rendering. Just lightning-fast, lightweight files delivered straight from a server – or even better: a CDN.
A slightly lame sandwich analogy to illustrate Imagine you’re buying a sandwich.
The traditional way of building websites is like walking into a sandwich shop and placing your order. Then a bored teenager starts assembling your sandwich before handing it over the counter.
A static site? The sandwich is already made. Just pick it off the shelf.
The SSG is the factory that makes all the sandwiches ahead of time.
Benefits of static sites
(… or why more and more people are choosing SSGs)
Lightning-fast load times
Static sites load faster than you can say “Time To First Byte.” No database queries, no runtime HTML generation. It’s all ready to go.
Sure, you can cache a dynamic site. But with an SSG, you’re basically building a supercharged cache from the start.
Peace-of-mind security
No database = less to hack. And since everything is static, there are fewer attack surfaces. Especially compared to CMSs like WordPress, where plugins and admin logins are often the weak spots.
Most teams still use a CMS – but it can be tucked far away from public access. And it’s hard to hack something that’s not on the open web.
Easier versioning and hosting
No bulky backend. Just code files you can commit to Git like everything else. Deployment with Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages? Easy peasy.
In fact, all it takes is a Node server to rebuild your site when you hit publish – and just like that, a new version is live.
Simpler development workflows
Static setups are often more manageable. Fewer moving parts means fewer headaches. Especially helpful for small teams without a dedicated backend department.
With WordPress, frontend and database logic often get entangled through PHP. That means even small tweaks can require multiple skill sets.
Great fit for stable content
Have a site with guides, course info, documentation, or blog posts that don’t change every day? Then an SSG might be your new best friend.
But hey… it’s not for everyone
Before you dive headfirst into Eleventy or Astro, let’s be real. SSGs aren’t a silver bullet. There are downsides, too.
Not ideal for complex user flows
If your site needs logins, dashboards, personalized content, or real-time data, static can quickly become… not so static. You’ll need to layer on additional services – and it gets complicated fast.
Some modern SSGs and hosts (like Netlify) offer solid solutions. But if you need those features, don’t expect to get all the simplicity benefits of going static.
The editor experience needs some love
If your team is used to logging into a CMS, writing content, and hitting “publish” – then switching to markdown files and Git may feel like time-traveling back to the DOS era.
That said, you don’t have to give up the familiar editing experience.
Modern SSG setups can be integrated with classic CMSs like WordPress, used in a headless configuration. This gives you the best of both worlds: A fast, secure static frontend – and a CMS your editors already know.
It does require some custom setup, and it’s a bit off the beaten “5-minute static site” path. Not rocket science, but definitely not plug-and-play either.
So yes, you can do it – but someone needs to take ownership of that integration.
Forms and integrations take extra work
Contact forms, search, comments – stuff that just works out of the box in a CMS will often require third-party services or custom solutions. Totally doable, but not instant. You’ll need some API savvy and a good handle on your chosen tech stack.
So… when does it make sense?
Consider an SSG if:
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Your content doesn’t change often
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Speed and security are high priorities
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You have a small team and want a lean setup
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You’d love to version all content in Git
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You can live with (or build) a simple editing workflow
Consider something else if:
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You’re handling large amounts of dynamic content
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You need a complex backend
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Your team isn’t technically inclined
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You rely heavily on out-of-the-box integrations
Thinking of going static?
Start with Eleventy if you’re into simplicity. Try Astro if you love component-based frameworks. Give it a week. See if it brings a bit of calm into your dev life. And who knows – maybe you’ll discover that simple isn’t so bad after all.
Got questions? Feel free to reach out.