JAMstack’s Growing Popularity Brings Increase in WordPress Plugins for Deploying to Netlify

Exploring JAMstack Architecture in WordPress Development

In the ever-evolving world of web development, trends come and go. One of the more interesting trends this year is the increasing adoption of JAMstack architecture by WordPress developers. JAMstack, a term coined by Netlify CEO Mathias Biilmann, represents a development architecture that embraces client-side JavaScript, reusable APIs, and prebuilt Markup. In this article, we’ll delve into this trend, exploring its implications and why developers are increasingly gravitating towards it.

1. The Rise of Static Websites

Static websites are experiencing a renaissance, and it’s no wonder. With the proliferation of slow, bloated PHP frameworks running significant portions of the web, developers are now turning to static websites for their speed, security, and scalability benefits. Not to mention, these static sites often come at a lower cost. In this section, we’ll discuss the resurgence of static websites and the advantages they offer.

2. The JAMstack Advantage

JAMstack, comprising client-side JavaScript, reusable APIs, and prebuilt Markup, has become a preferred architecture for modern static websites. We’ll explore why developers are drawn to JAMstack, from its remarkable speed, security, and scalability to its developer-friendly git and CLI workflow. JAMstack allows developers to experiment with the latest frontend technologies without being tied to specific frameworks or tools. We’ll delve into the core advantages of JAMstack in this section.

3. Tools and Technologies

Most JAMstack sites are built using popular static site generators like Jekyll, Hugo, Nuxt, Next, Gatsby, and more. These tools generate markup and assets that are often served via a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for nearly instant page loads. We’ll discuss the key tools and technologies that power JAMstack websites, shedding light on their role in this architectural shift.

4. Bridging WordPress and JAMstack

WordPress, a popular CMS, has a significant user base. To bridge the gap between WordPress and JAMstack, developers have created plugins that facilitate content sourcing from WordPress and hosting on JAMstack platforms like Netlify. We’ll explore how these plugins work and their impact on the WordPress-JAMstack integration.

5. User-Friendly Hosting Solutions

The technical nature of JAMstack can be daunting for non-technical site and business owners. To cater to this audience, user-friendly hosting platforms like Strattic, Shifter, and HardyPress have emerged. These platforms provide serverless architecture solutions that generate static files from WordPress sites and serve them via CDNs. We’ll delve into how these platforms are simplifying JAMstack for a less technical crowd.

The Limitations of JAMstack

While JAMstack offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations. Some dynamic capabilities, such as adding complex contact forms, native WordPress comments, or interactive features like those provided by WooCommerce, bbPress, BuddyPress, and membership plugins, may not be fully compatible with JAMstack architecture. We’ll discuss these limitations and highlight the type of projects best suited for JAMstack.

In summary, the exploration of JAMstack architecture in WordPress development is a fascinating journey into a dynamic and evolving field. As developers and site owners continue to seek the perfect balance between dynamic and static elements, JAMstack offers a promising path for achieving speed, security, and scalability while providing opportunities for innovation in web development. This article will delve into each aspect of this trend, from its roots to its practical implications for developers and businesses alike.