The Current State of WordPress and the Case for Static Site Generators

Recent events in the WordPress ecosystem have highlighted some of the challenges and vulnerabilities associated with dynamic content management systems. From the ongoing dispute between WordPress and WP Engine to the recent forking of the Advanced Custom Fields plugin, these developments serve as a reminder of the potential risks and limitations of relying on complex, database-driven systems for website management. In light of these issues, now may be an opportune time to consider switching back to static site generators (SSGs) for your web projects.

The WordPress Ecosystem in Turmoil

The WP Engine Controversy

The ongoing conflict between WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg and hosting provider WP Engine has created uncertainty and potential disruptions for many WordPress users. This dispute has led to actions such as banning WP Engine from accessing WordPress.org, which could impact plugin updates and security patches for affected users.

The Advanced Custom Fields Situation

In a unprecedented move, WordPress recently took control of the popular Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin, renaming it to Secure Custom Fields. This action, taken without the consent of the original developers, has raised concerns about the stability and future of widely-used plugins in the WordPress ecosystem.

Why Static Site Generators Are a Compelling Alternative

Given these challenges, static site generators offer a more stable, secure, and efficient alternative for many websites. Here are some key benefits of switching to SSGs:

Enhanced Security

Static sites are inherently more secure than their dynamic counterparts. With no database to attack and no server-side code execution, the attack surface is significantly reduced. This eliminates common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection attacks and other database-related exploits.

Blazing Fast Performance

Static sites load much faster than dynamic sites because there’s no need to query a database or generate HTML on the fly. All pages are pre-built and ready to be served, resulting in lightning-fast load times and improved user experience.

Scalability and Cost-Efficiency

Static sites can handle high traffic volumes with ease, as they don’t require server-side processing for each request. This scalability often translates to lower hosting costs, as static files can be efficiently served from content delivery networks (CDNs) at minimal expense.

Freedom from Vendor Lock-in

Unlike with WordPress and other CMSs, static site generators allow you to maintain full control over your content and site structure. Your content is typically stored in simple text files, making it easy to migrate between different SSGs or hosting providers if needed.

Version Control and Collaboration

SSGs integrate seamlessly with version control systems like Git, enabling better collaboration among team members and providing a clear history of changes to your site. This makes it easier to track updates, roll back changes, and maintain multiple versions of your content.

Choosing the Right Static Site Generator

There are numerous static site generators available, each with its own strengths and features. Some popular options include:

• Jekyll: A pioneer in the SSG space, known for its simplicity and extensive plugin ecosystem.
• Hugo: Renowned for its blazing fast build times and flexibility.
• Gatsby: A React-based SSG that offers excellent performance and a rich plugin library.
• Next.js: A versatile framework that supports both static site generation and server-side rendering.
• Astro: A newer entrant that allows you to use multiple frontend frameworks within a single project.

When selecting an SSG, consider factors such as your team’s technical expertise, the complexity of your site, and any specific features you require.

Conclusion

While WordPress remains a powerful and popular platform, the recent turmoil in its ecosystem serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with complex, database-driven systems. Static site generators offer a compelling alternative, providing enhanced security, improved performance, and greater control over your web projects. By embracing SSGs, you can create fast, secure, and scalable websites that are less vulnerable to the kind of disruptions currently affecting the WordPress community.

As the web continues to evolve, the simplicity and efficiency of static site generators make them an increasingly attractive option for a wide range of websites and applications. Now may be the perfect time to explore this technology and see how it can benefit your web projects.

Our Position

While the drama unfolds, we at biralo.studio watch from the sidelines and are happy to have 0% exposure to the WordPress ecosystem. If you need help moving away from WordPress, we can help you (write an email to Lukas). You can also read how we build websites.