When do static site generators like Next.js, Gatsby and Hugo makes sense over more common dynamic web apps, like WordPress and Joomla?
There was once a time before content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal when static site generators (SSG) were used, and this is way before the web became ‘dynamic’ …and Gandalf was just a young nerd, still messing around in wizard school -catch all new episodes of ‘you shall not CLASS’, Wednesdays at 8pm.
You can google SSG vs. CMS for more information but essentially…
Static site generators like Hugo, Gatsby, and Next.js to name a few, “…work by pre-creating all the pages in that site, so that when the pages are loaded they are actually just normal HTML pages rather than pages created on the fly like what you see with WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla”. The advantages include less server resources vs. on-the-fly created pages on CMS and better security because only system Admins can generate pages.
Content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, “generate their pages on the fly, these are what we used to call ‘dynamic’ web pages”. So, when you call up an article, the CMS generates the page on-the-fly. Now, technically this is a huge drain on the server but with servers becoming more and more popular, it’s negligible and as far as security, we would say the sites like WordPress are pretty safe.
The VLOG goes into real comparisons and the nitty-gritty of SSG vs. CMS, complete with PROs and CONs, it’s really worth checking out. Also, if you find this really interesting, you should check out our web stack course (Links below). -Enjoy!
Wix is another tool that web designers can use to build out simple client websites and for some client websites, using Wix just makes sense.
When it comes to building websites for clients most devs will turn to CMS giant WordPress but there are other less complicated web-builders out there like Wix, SquareSpace, Weebly, etc. that generally let you create websites easily at the cost of versatility. And that’s not altogether a bad thing, depending on what the client’s needs are.
And from these sites that offer simplicity and ease have risen freelancers in their own right. “If you look at Wix today or shopify…even though they’re much easier to use than, let’s say building from scratch: using a template or something, it’s still something that many small business owners don’t want to tackle. …In terms of freelance work, I call it becoming a web professional. A web professional is not necessarily somebody who is a developer (although they could be), …[It’s] somebody who knows how to put up websites, knows the different options; knows how to build from scratch, …you understand when those types of builders make sense, …hosting options, …domain names …this is what a web professional brings to the table.”
Don’t call Wix and the other builders a niche – I’ve been here for years, rockin’ my peers, puttin’ others in fear…okay seriously though, “…because it’s such a huge demand, this type of freelancer is gonna make a lot of money because there’s so many small businesses out there who are positioned on the web in some form or another and they don’t have all this knowledge, they don’t understand the differences between these different platforms and they’re probably not aware of most of these platforms…”
So should you consider using Wix, shopify, etc when choosing how to service client(s) demands over WordPress? “So your job as a consultant/web professional is to direct them in the right direction. Shopify, Wix, SquareSpace, etc. they’re not competition, they’re not taking away from web design and development, they are just tools in your toolbox. …Go in there first [and] talk to your client: see what their needs are and then you as a web professional can determine whether or not the Wix platform can support that.” As previously mentioned, “the thing about these web builders… they’re typically limited: the simplification comes at the cost of flexibility. …When you simplify you usually remove options that you have on the table. So you have to determine whether you need those options or not; maybe you don’t/maybe you do…”. Hey, we never said it was gonna be easy…
The VLOG goes into a way better explanation, you should check it out. And maybe while you’re at it <shameless promo> check out the really cool and thoughtfully put together courses that we offer. Whether is freelancing, or learning web development, you’ll be taking advantage of almost 3 decades of experience in all these subjects AND if you click here, you can take advantage of a super deal! We’ve teamed up with InMotion hosting for a really amazing offer where they essentially pay for you to take my course and learn how to become a web developer. Links to all these offers are below as well. -Enjoy!
OR ‘how did I get started as a web developer?’ OR ‘you kids today don’t know how good you’ve got it…’
Gather round the fire again, younglings, it’s story time. Some of you have been asking how I got my start as a web developer…well now, I reckon I can’t remember that far back (and every time I try, I see quick flashes of people with pitchforks and dragons: greedy and terrible), but I’ll try fer ya…!
It was the 1990’s…’94 to be exact and I had no idea what a website was. In fact, I wasn’t even working anywhere near computers…I did have my own business but you’ll have to checkout the VLOG to find out what is was (mostly cuz I forget…).
You can stick around to the end of the VLOG or click here for a really cool offer. We’ve teamed up with InMotion hosting for a really amazing offer where they essentially pay for you to take my course and learn how to become a web developer. Links to the offer and my courses are down below, but this is a really great opportunity and who knows, maybe one day you’ll be telling the story of how YOU got your start. -Enjoy!
If you are going to learn web design, you will need to learn about hosting and domain names. Get your domain name (website address) before someone else does! Get hosting today for as little as $2.26/month. Less than the cost of a good cup of coffee!
How do you find the worlds greatest web hosting? In the following video, I will tell you what to look for, and you’ll hear a little story about a web hosting disaster, that almost took down a multi million dollar company!!
… Ok, a little exaggeration. But it sounds great! 🙂
Check out my video, all the answers to your web hosting questions will be found:
