Designers are leaving WordPress for a simpler CMS. WordPress is a great CMS, but for many sites it can be overwhelming.
WordPress has originally started out as a simple blogging tool. Throughout the years CMS had evolved into a complex, feature-rich program that can power up large sites. However, most sites doesn’t need the complexity.
This is where flat-file (or file-based) content comes in.
If you never heard of a flat-file, here’s a brief intro. A flat-file is different from a “normal” CMS (such as WordPress) in that it doesn’t need a database to make pages. Instead, it’s a hybrid model using technologies like JavaScript to make up individual or a combination of files. It simply pulls files from a spreadsheet or a text file. The result is a flat-file solution that doesn’t need a database.
A database-driven CMS needs a database to retrieve content. With a flat-file CMS the content is in a simple file and folder pile. This may seems like basic sites can be created with limited functions with a flat-file CMS, but that’s not the case.
There are advantages of using a flat-file CMS for a small site. Speed is a good example. Without needing to connect to a database, flat-file sites can load pages super fast.
There’s also matter of security. Database is the main target for hackers. Without the database, the whole potential security hole will be or can be removed completely.
Less-expensive servers has to be mentioned too. Databases use up lots of server resources. There will never be a need to buy expensive hosting add-on. That’s why it’s guaranteed that your database doesn’t or won’t crash.
Besides all these, portability is the main factor in their success. A site can be moved quickly to another server without changing or configuring another database.
In this article you will find a great list of static site generators that you could use as an alternative to complicated content management systems.
Jekyll
Octopress
Pelican
Middleman
DocPad
Metalsmith
Hexo
Harp
Wintersmith
Assemble
Dropplets
Hugo
Hyde
Punch
Stacey
roots
nanoc
Nesta
Kirby
Serve
Stasis
Nikola
Ruhoh
Hakyll
Statamic
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