Static Site Generation (SSG) is a web development approach that involves pre-rendering website pages into static HTML files during the build process, rather than generating them dynamically on each user request. This method has gained popularity in recent years, especially in the context of modern Content Management Systems (CMS) and the Jamstack architecture.
In a traditional dynamic CMS, pages are typically generated on-the-fly when a user requests them, involving database queries and server-side processing. In contrast, SSG pre-builds all pages at compile time, resulting in a collection of static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that can be served directly from a content delivery network (CDN) or simple web server. This approach offers several advantages, including improved performance, enhanced security, and easier scalability.
For Content Management Systems, SSG represents a paradigm shift in how content is delivered to users. It allows content creators to maintain the flexibility and ease of use of a dynamic CMS while providing the benefits of a static site to end-users. When content is updated in the CMS, a new build is triggered, regenerating the affected static pages. This process ensures that the website always reflects the latest content while maintaining the performance benefits of static files.
Implementing SSG in a CMS context often involves using a headless CMS in combination with a static site generator. Popular static site generators include Gatsby, Next.js, Hugo, and Jekyll. These tools can fetch content from the headless CMS via APIs and use it to generate the static site. This decoupling of content management from content delivery allows for greater flexibility in how content is structured and presented.
While SSG offers numerous benefits, it also comes with some considerations. Large sites with frequently changing content may require more complex build processes and incremental builds to manage build times effectively. Additionally, features that require real-time data or user-specific content may need to be implemented using client-side JavaScript or serverless functions. Despite these challenges, SSG remains a powerful approach for many websites, offering a balance between content management flexibility and optimal site performance.