Static Sites in 2024: Back to Basics

A talk about the resurgence of static site generators.

Event

JAMstack Conf 2024 - September 10, 2024

Abstract

After years of increasingly complex web architectures, developers are rediscovering the power of static sites. This talk examines why static is making a comeback and what modern SSGs offer.

The Pendulum Swing

1990s: Static HTML files
2000s: Dynamic CMS (WordPress, Drupal)
2010s: JavaScript SPAs
2020s: Back to static (with superpowers)

Why Static?

Benefit	Explanation
Performance	No server processing, CDN-friendly
Security	No database, no server code to exploit
Cost	Host for free on many platforms
Simplicity	Just files, easy to understand
Reliability	No server means no server downtime

Modern SSG Features

Markdown authoring
Component-based layouts
Asset optimization
Incremental builds
Edge deployment

When NOT to Use Static

User-generated content at scale
Real-time collaboration
Complex authentication flows
Highly dynamic data

Resources

Vibe Site - Content-first SSG
Jamstack.org