How Does a Static Site Generators Work - A Comprehensive Guide

How much time does it take a site to load? 

 

Well, there is no single factor that affects site speed. There are many, and the system that handles the site at the backend is the prime factor. Currently, all the sites on the web are backed by CMS like Drupal, WordPress, Shopify, etc.

 

Though these content management systems have a lot of attractive features like code reusability, real-time content, user input-based outputs, and whatnot. One key drawback that these systems have is slow loading speed.

 

To counteract this and various other downsides of CMS, the use of Static Site Generators (SSGs) is in trend. SSGs are gaining immense popularity these days due to their speed and other utilitarian aspects.

 

In this article, we will find out what these SSGs are and how they work. So, without any further delay, let’s just dive in!

 

What are Static Site Generators?

 

Let’s answer the most expensive question!

 

Static Site Generators are the tools that are used to create an HTML page or an entire static HTML website. The catch here is that it is done way faster. How?

 

Just like traditional coding methods, each page of a static website is coded in advance in the exact way it is supposed to be presented to the user. Earlier, it was done manually, but static site generators automate the coding process.

 

Now, unlike CMS systems, where a page is modified as per user input on the spot, SSGs already store a page created as per that request. The availability of the created page before a user request makes the process faster.

 

An SSG is an excellent blend of traditional page-building methods and new CMSs.

 

How are they different from CMS?

 

Well, there are many aspects that make SSGs different from CMS. Here are some of them!

 

1. Secure

 

Static Site Generators stand out remarkably in terms of security from Content Management Systems. How?

 

As CMSs back almost 72 million websites, its popularity is surefire to attract cybercriminals towards it. 

 

As per Sucuri stats, 74% of the infected websites are built on WordPress. So, if you have a website based on a CMS, it can be infected via cross-site scripting, plugins, themes, and other core files.

 

In short, CMSs are more prone to cyberattacks due to servers doing all the logic work at runtime. Thus, offering you less security.

 

On the other hand, SSGs have all the request-related pages pre-built. This removes the server-side rendering part that greatly reduces the hotspots for hackers to get their dirty hands on your website. As there is no way for hackers to inject malicious code at runtime, the security can be enhanced manyfold.

 

 

2. Cost

 

Cost is another secondary benefit of a static site generator. As there is no need for server-side rendering, there is no need for a database. Furthermore, the requirements for updates, maintenance, backups are reduced to a great extent. Therefore saving you both time and money.

 

 

3. Reliability

 

A common problem with a CMS-backed website is reliability. Sometimes, when multiple users try to access a website simultaneously, the increased traffic leads to database issues. These issues can either be the crashing of a database or the restriction of connections. It may also show you a message, like “Failed to establish a database connection.”

 

In terms of SSGs, the need for runtime changes is negligible, which means the server has to host and return the pre-built HTML file. This reduces the chances of any last-minute failure. Thus enhancing the reliability.

 

 

4. Hassle-free

 

Keep all the other differences aside! This difference between a CMS and SSG is most important for a developer.

 

In a CMS-backed website, the hassle of updating and migrating is always more. There are countless aspects to keep a check on, such as packages, libraries, frameworks, and whatnot. Therefore, when it’s time to update the CMS, it becomes challenging, especially when there are multiple servers.

 

The Static site also has dependencies, but they are only required at runtime. Moreover, as the static site has pre-built pages, it can be served from anywhere. Along with this, as it can be controlled locally, you can build a website on your laptop and launch it when done. It is also easy to scale and migrate.

 

These features of a static site reduce the hassle for a developer drastically.

 

 

5. Traffic control

 

The data processing and repeated calls to the database may lead to some serious issues in CMS. Due to multiple requests and heavy processing, the servers may crash or freeze. This can negatively impact the user experience of a website, making a business lose a lot of leads.

 

SSGs are built above this issue. As hosting and returning takes fewer resources in a static site, traffic to a website can be efficiently managed.

 

How Does a Static Site Generator Work?

 

The working of a static site generator is quite easy to understand. As SSGs are used to generate fast-loading web pages, they only need two things: raw data and templates.

 

The static site generators use this raw data and templates to generate an HTML web page. As this requires conversion of text into HTML format, Markdown comes in handy in this.

 

A markdown is a tool used to convert a simple plain text file into a valid HTML.

 

Now, if we take a closer look at SSGs, they are used for frontend development. But, there are some scenarios where you need to provide backend functionality to the website. In such a scenario, a JAMstack development guide comes in handy.

 

A JAMstack (JAM expands as ”JavaScript, APIs, Markup”) is a method used to develop fast and lightweight web apps. These apps are static, with backend functionality provided by APIs. APIs help in making some of the website content dynamic.

 

Why are SSGs popular?

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Why are SSGs popular

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Static Site Generators are popular for various reasons such as:

 

1. Fit for all types of programming languages

 

With the rise of trends, static site generators have become compatible with almost all programming languages. Developers around the world have developed tools as per their programming needs and convenience. You can easily get SSGs for various languages and their conventions.

 

 

2. Automation

 

The pages of a static side need to be updated from time to time. As every firm wants to hit the market as fast as they can, this task can be automated using some utilitarian tools. These tools can automatically update the page view that enhances the overall workflow. Further, it also makes the process effective, and page views robust.

 

 

3. Speedy operation

 

It is obvious that when you get all the requested pages instantly on the screen, it will increase the speed of operation. It will also garner more customers and revenue for your business.

 

What are the Pros and Cons of SSGs?

 

Here are some pros and cons of an SSG!

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Pros and cons of SSGs

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When to use an SSG?

 

The answer to this question has many aspects. Let’s focus on the key options!

 

SSGs would not be a great choice for websites or pages that need frequent updates, like on an hourly basis or less than that.

 

On the other hand, websites that need partial dynamic content, like an eCommerce website, can use SSG along with JAMstack methodology. In this, information like product descriptions, images, etc., can be kept static, whereas shopping cart data inventory can be fetched at runtime using a JAMstack framework.

 

Also Read | 6 Applications of IoT in Ecommerce

 

Some popular Static Site Generators!

 

You can use various types of SSGs based on the type of programming language. Here are some of them!

 

• Javascript: Next, Gatsby

• Go: Hugo, InkPaper

• Ruby: Middleman and Jekyll

 

Other than these, there is Eleventy, Nuxt, and many more!

 

Conclusion

 

Almost all websites run on a CMS today. As these websites can be tough to maintain in some cases, it is best to switch to a static site. A static website is easy to maintain and is much more speedy than the CMS counterpart.

 

But, you need to analyze the future needs of your business first. If you think your business would need a more dynamic site, it is best to stick to a CMS. SSGs are ideal for static sites that do not need frequent content updates. They are fast, reliable, secure, and require less cost to develop an app.