Getting Started with Static Site Generators

Date: November 10, 2025
Author: Your Name
Description: Learn the basics of static site generators and why they’re great for blogs

What is a Static Site Generator?

A static site generator (SSG) is a tool that takes content files (usually in Markdown) and converts them into HTML pages. The result is a completely static website that can be hosted anywhere.

Key Benefits

1. Performance

No database queries
Instant page loads
Minimal server requirements

2. Security

No server-side code to exploit
Reduced attack surface
Version control for content

3. Simplicity

Easy to understand
Content as code approach
No complex infrastructure

4. Scalability

Can handle millions of page views
Affordable hosting options
Works great with CDNs

How It Works

Markdown Files → Parse → HTML Templates → Static Website
  /content/        ↓          ↓            /public/

Write content in Markdown
Generator reads the files
Templates wrap the content
Static HTML is generated
Deploy to any static host

Popular Static Site Generators

Hugo - Written in Go, blazingly fast
Jekyll - Ruby-based, popular for GitHub Pages
Next.js - Modern JavaScript approach
Gatsby - React-based with GraphQL
Custom SSG - Build your own (like we’re doing!)

Getting Started

The process is straightforward:

Create content in Markdown
Define HTML templates
Run the generator
Deploy the /public folder

That’s it! You now have a fast, secure, and scalable website.

Best Practices

Keep content and templates separate - Makes updates easier
Use semantic HTML - Better for SEO and accessibility
Optimize images - Important for performance
Version control everything - Git makes changes trackable
Test locally - Preview before deploying

Conclusion

Static site generators offer a powerful way to build modern websites without the complexity of traditional CMS platforms. They’re perfect for blogs, portfolios, and documentation sites.

Last updated: November 10, 2025