WHAT IS JAMSTACK? – A GUIDE FOR NON-TECHNICAL LEADERS

Reimagining Jamstack: Revolutionizing the Digital Landscape

In today’s intricate digital business environment, navigating the technological maze can be a daunting task. Without a strong foundational understanding, businesses can easily miss out on opportunities and make costly mistakes. We like to think of a website as a living entity, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of clients and the digital landscape. This is where Jamstack comes into play, enabling businesses to adapt swiftly and efficiently.

Let’s delve deeper into the world of Jamstack and explore why it’s a game-changer. This comprehensive guide is designed with two main objectives:

1. Unpacking the Complexities of the Digital Landscape: A Guiding Light for Informed Decisions

2. Harnessing Jamstack’s Technical Prowess to Enhance Digital Businesses

So, What Exactly is Jamstack?

Demystifying Jamstack

In its simplest form, Jamstack is a modern web development architecture that empowers you to construct static pages and websites using the microservices approach. It offers an array of static advantages, such as exceptional performance, robust traffic handling, rapid loading speed, security, and excellent SEO capabilities. By caching content in a Content Delivery Network (CDN), Jamstack sites consistently deliver a seamless user experience.

The Evolution of Jamstack Terminology

Initially, Jamstack was viewed as a fusion of JavaScript (code), reusable APIs (website infrastructure), and Markup (pre-rendered final output). However, the term’s meaning has evolved over time. Netlify, one of the creators of Jamstack, has transitioned Jamstack from being a mere technical acronym to a comprehensive development philosophy. This means that you no longer require JavaScript or APIs to build a Jamstack website.

Decoding Content Delivery Networks

Typically, hosting services serve websites from a single location. In contrast, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) distribute a website through servers closest to the user’s geographic location, optimizing loading times and user experiences.

Unlocking the Potential of Jamstack

When and Where to Deploy Jamstack

The burning question often revolves around when to utilize Jamstack. While it may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, numerous business scenarios demonstrate the undeniable benefits of adopting this approach. Here are some key instances where Jamstack shines:

1. Enhancing eCommerce Efficiency

Implementing Jamstack for eCommerce websites can significantly improve user engagement by boosting page speed and overall user experience. It can also lead to higher rankings in Google search results, enhancing SEO and Core Web Vitals, ultimately translating into increased conversion rates.

2. Software and SaaS Excellence

For software and SaaS websites, first impressions matter immensely. Crafting a site that loads in the blink of an eye is a potent strategy for success.

3. Custom Landing Page Prowess

Custom landing pages benefit from Jamstack’s unlimited customization and rapid loading capabilities, enhancing user experience and improving organic and advertising results. Combined with an efficient Content Management System, these pages become a breeze for marketing teams to create and optimize.

4. Trustworthy B2B Websites

In the world of B2B, trust is paramount. Businesses seek partners they can rely on with their investments. A modern, clean website can enhance professionalism and trustworthiness, increasing the likelihood of being chosen.

5. Dynamic Online Services

Although initially associated with static pages, Jamstack has evolved to accommodate dynamic content. This makes it an excellent choice for websites like news portals, cryptocurrency platforms, and stock exchanges that rely on real-time data.

For an in-depth exploration of these scenarios, check out our dedicated article on when and when not to use Jamstack.

Is Jamstack Right for Your Business?

When to Approach Jamstack with Caution

While Jamstack has its merits, it’s not always the best choice. Here are some situations where it might not be the ideal solution:

1. Budget Constraints

Implementing Jamstack often requires hiring skilled developers, which can be expensive both for internal hiring and outsourcing. Additionally, the process of migrating to Jamstack can be complex and require significant fundamental changes.

2. Resistance to Change

Jamstack often necessitates adopting new content management systems, rebranding, and making significant changes to the website. If your organization is not prepared for such transformations, it may not be the right time to embrace Jamstack.

3. Technical Expertise

Jamstack requires coding and API integration. While it’s possible to connect a website to a CMS for easier updates, it still demands technical skills. Lack of knowledge in JavaScript or React can be a hurdle.

4. Starting from Scratch

For small businesses looking to establish an online presence, Jamstack may not be the most beginner-friendly option compared to platforms like WordPress.

5. Dependency on Plug-ins

Jamstack websites often require custom coding, and except for Gatsby, readily available plugins for additional features are limited.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Jamstack

The Upsides and Downsides of Jamstack

Jamstack offers a host of advantages, but it also has limitations. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.

Pros:

1. Enhanced User Experience: Jamstack allows for the creation of highly customized user experiences, differentiating your website in a crowded digital landscape.
2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Jamstack sites offer extensive control over content and structure, making it easy to implement SEO best practices. Static sites and high performance lead to improved rankings and more visitors.
3. Performance and Speed: Speed is a critical factor in SEO and user experience. Jamstack’s pre-generated pages and content delivery through CDNs result in rapid loading times.

Additional Benefits of Jamstack:

• Better Google rankings
• Total safety
• High traffic resistance
• Headless integration
• Serverless functions
• Future-proof
• Reusable components
• Cost-effective and portable hosting
• Simplified maintenance
• Omnichannel compatibility
• Developer-friendly

Cons:

• Coding may be required for updates.
• Limited availability of plugins for certain technologies.
• Generating previews can be time-consuming.

For a comprehensive list of pros and cons, refer to our detailed article.

Selecting the Right Jamstack Technologies

Choosing the Right Tools for the Job

Jamstack development involves selecting the appropriate front-end and back-end technologies. Here are some of our top recommendations:

Front-end Technologies:

1. Gatsby JS: An open-source React framework with a rich ecosystem of plugins, themes, and starters for streamlined development.
2. Next.js: Another open-source React framework that supports both static site generation and server-side rendering.
3. React JS: A versatile JavaScript library widely used for building user interfaces and forming the foundation of frameworks like Gatsby and Next.js.
4. TypeScript: An open-source programming language built on top of JavaScript, offering IDE support and compatibility with Node.js.

Our Favorite Headless eCommerce Platforms:

1. BigCommerce: A SaaS eCommerce platform that aligns with the latest digital trends and supports headless eCommerce.
2. Magento (Adobe Commerce): Designed for larger players, Magento offers a wide range of features, a headless architecture, and various third-party integrations.
3. Saleor: An open-source headless eCommerce platform with a focus on GraphQL.
4. Shopify: A SaaS eCommerce platform that enables vendors to sell globally with features like Point of Sale (POS) integration.

Recommended Headless CMS Options:

1. Contentful: An API-first content management platform with features like localization and personalization.
2. Sanity: A flexible content platform built for developers, allowing real-time collaboration and customization.
3. Strapi: An open-source headless CMS built with JavaScript, offering features like customizable APIs and internationalization.
4. WordPress: A globally popular CMS that, when combined with Jamstack, breathes new life into websites by going headless.
5. Prismic: A content management system and content editing tool that provides flexibility in technology, framework, and language choices.

If you’re uncertain about which CMS to use for your Jamstack project, consult our comprehensive article comparing different Jamstack CMS options.

Jamstack Static Site Generators (SSG) in Focus: Next.js vs. Gatsby JS

The Battle of the Titans: Next.js vs. Gatsby JS

Next.js and Gatsby JS stand out as the most popular static site generators for Jamstack websites. Both are excellent choices, but they cater to different use cases. Let’s examine their similarities and differences:

Similarities:

• Both use React.js.
• They adhere to the Jamstack architecture.
• They simplify web development with predefined structures.
• Trusted by major players in the industry.

Differences:

Next.js

• Offers both server-side rendering and static site generation.
• Allows developers to choose their approach to data fetching.
• Showcases around 100 websites built with Next.js.

Gatsby JS

• Focuses on static site generation.
• Requires the use of GraphQL.
• Features a substantial showcase with more than 1000 websites.

For an in-depth comparison, explore our article on Next.js vs. Gatsby JS. If you prefer video content, we also have a video comparing the two.

Exploring Alternatives to Jamstack

Jamstack Versus Other Architectural Approaches

While Jamstack is a powerful approach, it’s not the sole option. Let’s briefly compare Jamstack with alternatives like WordPress, Single Page Applications (SPAs), and the MERN stack.

Jamstack vs. WordPress:

WordPress represents a monolithic architecture, whereas Jamstack is headless. The main difference lies in their architecture. However, businesses that enjoy using WordPress can seamlessly combine it with Jamstack, benefiting from both approaches.

Jamstack vs. Single Page Applications (SPAs):

Single Page Applications are a subset of Jamstack sites, as not all Jamstack sites are SPAs. SPAs rewrite the current page with new data, creating a native app-like experience. In contrast, Jamstack sites consist of pre-rendered static HTML files, enhancing performance.

Jamstack vs. MERN:

MERN stands for MongoDB, Express, React, and Node.js, constituting the technology stack. Jamstack doesn’t prescribe specific technologies or frameworks, focusing on JavaScript, APIs, and Markup instead.

If you’re interested in exploring more alternatives, check out our article on the 10 best Jamstack alternatives to consider in 2021.

Jamstack: The Future of eCommerce

Jamstack’s Role in eCommerce Transformation

Jamstack isn’t limited to corporate websites or landing pages; it’s also a powerful tool for building online stores. Leveraging headless architecture, it’s gaining traction in the world of eCommerce, offering distinct advantages:

Advantages of Jamstack for eCommerce:

1. Broad Sales Reach: Jamstack enables businesses to sell products across multiple platforms, including Amazon and Facebook, streamlining management of digital sales channels.
2. Accelerated Time to Market: Jamstack’s reusable components expedite development, resulting in quicker time-to-market and cost savings.
3. Developer-Friendly: Developers can focus on front-end development while leveraging APIs to work with platforms like Shopify, reducing development time and expenses.
4. Customization: Jamstack allows for unlimited customization, delivering a unique shopping experience and setting businesses apart from competitors.

In conclusion, Jamstack is not just a buzzword; it’s a transformative approach to web development that empowers businesses to adapt swiftly and efficiently in a dynamic digital landscape. Whether you’re considering a switch to Jamstack or exploring alternatives, it’s essential to make an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives. Jamstack offers a compelling proposition for those looking to enhance user experiences, improve SEO, and boost website performance. Its future-proof and developer-friendly nature positions it as a potent tool in the hands of businesses looking to thrive in the digital age.