What is a static site CMS? (5 benefits)
Storyblok is the first headless CMS that works for developers & marketers alike.
A static site CMS is a system that helps you manage the content of a static site (one that delivers content to a browser exactly as it is stored on the server via CDN). It does so with a user-friendly interface offering a place for centralized content management.
The popularity of web development approaches like Jamstack and the re-emergence of static sites have led to many developers searching for the best ways to launch their websites and publish content.
While all of that can be done from scratch, if you’re a developer at an enterprise company where there are several other tasks to get through and a marketing team that needs the freedom to publish content as well, then you need an alternative.
That’s where a static site CMS comes into play. In this article, we’ll explain what a static site CMS is, why you need one, and why a headless CMS makes the best option.
What is a static site CMS?
Let's start from the beginning: what is a static site? A [static site](/mp/static-site) is a pre-built website created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The website gets delivered to a browser exactly as the files are stored on a server and usually delivered via a content delivery network (CDN).
A static site CMS is a content management system that allows you to create, manage and publish content for these types of sites.
Static sites come with a variety of benefits, including improved performance, security and scalability.
However, when it comes time to update them, it can be difficult for marketers as they require knowledge of HTML and CSS. A static site CMS solves this problem by providing an easy-to-use interface that helps less technical users manage that content.
Static sites offer many benefits, but so do dynamic sites. Learn more about the differences in our Static sites Vs Dynamic sites article.
Types of static site CMSs
There are two primary CMS options that work best with static sites: flat file and headless CMSs.
Flat file CMS
Since static sites consist of a set of HTML and .txt files, many developers opt for a flat-file CMS to manage content. A flat file CMS doesn’t include a database and instead simply pulls files from a server.
Unfortunately, this isn’t sufficient for every situation, particularly large businesses with tons of content to manage and multiple people using the CMS. Changes to static sites can take time, which isn't always practical for fast-growing or changing organizations.
Headless CMS
Developers can also choose to create and manage content for their static sites using a headless CMS. A headless CMS separates the frontend presentation layer from the backend content repository.
This type of system allows you to build a static site using a static site generator (SSG) and connect it to the headless CMS using APIs. The result is a host of benefits not available with simply a flat file CMS or an SSG alone. As such, it's a competitive option for any users looking for a static site CMS.
5 benefits to choosing a headless CMS as your static site CMS
There are several reasons why developers should choose a headless CMS as their static site CMS. Here are a few key benefits that headless offers.
1. Static site generators and headless CMS make a perfect pair
Static site generators are used to quickly launch static sites. They also allow you to edit content all at once rather than having to edit each page one by one. Unfortunately, SSGs have a steep learning curve and require some coding knowledge.
However, by pairing that SSG with a headless CMS through APIs, developers can gain access to the best of both worlds. This means the ability to launch sites quickly and easily, include more dynamic features as well as embrace modern web development approaches like Jamstack which require both tools. Content editors also benefit from this as they don't have to constantly contend with technical tasks to publish.
2. It gives developers more freedom and flexibility
Using a headless CMS as a static site CMS removes constraints on developers. Removing the frontend layer means that developers can choose the frontend frameworks and programming languages that they prefer. By contrast, static sites can be very limited on their own.
A headless CMS allows developers to connect additional tools to improve the content on their static site. For example, they can connect an eCommerce platform or a shopping cart tool to the backend and integrate it with the static site. The speed and performance benefits of a static site remain but now it can be more than just a simple blog or microsite.
3. It gives marketers more content editing options
The problem with static sites is that they can be difficult for marketers who typically create and manage content for a website to work with. Without coding expertise, including knowledge of HTML and CSS, static sites can’t be updated.
By using a headless CMS as a static site CMS, marketers can access features like WYSIWYG editing, drag-and-drop tools, previews, and more to help them edit content. That means they have to rely less on developers, freeing up time and effort for both teams.
4. It lets you include more dynamic content
Building a static site from scratch or using a flat file CMS makes it difficult to add dynamic features down the road as the need arises. Adding more dynamic functionality, such as personalization and localization, becomes easier with a headless CMS.
Scaling also becomes easier. Adding new programs or resources is simple, making it easy for organizations to grow.
5. Static site CMSs introduce additional enterprise-level features
For enterprise-level organizations, in particular, other features such as single sign-on (SSO) and content workflows may be required. A headless CMS can easily provide these features for both developers and marketers.
This is because the decoupled nature of a headless CMS means you can add, remove, and swap out programs as necessary. You don't have to worry about them affecting the rest of the system – new technology exists independently, so you can smoothly change it as your needs evolve.
Using Storyblok as a static site CMS
With Storyblok it's easy for developers to build static sites as Storyblok uses JSON and can easily be combined with the static site generator of your choice. However, it also provides marketers and developers with the additional features they require to perform at their best.
For instance, users can embrace the importance of a user-friendly interface with Storyblok’s visual editor. Content editors don’t have to contact developers to make changes. Moving elements around is as simple as dragging and dropping. It also offers real-time previews so you never have to guess what the content will look like.
)
Storyblok's visual editor is an intuitive way for content creators to build their static sites.
Moreover, as a static site CMS, Storyblok removes constraints on developers by allowing them to use whichever frontend frameworks and programming languages they want. It also provides endless opportunities for extensibility. With an App Directory full of add-ons, developers can find tools that will seamlessly integrate into their system – and if they can’t find the exact functionality they want, they can create their own app for a fully tailored solution.
)
The App directory is full of high-quality extensions to suit any project type - or, create your own!
Composability is also a huge Storyblok benefit. Developers can set up composable content blocks that act as templates and are endlessly reusable. However, the content inside remains customizable, so editors get the benefits of easy personalization without the hassle of starting from scratch.
)
Developers can pre-build content blocks, which contend editors can then add to their pages with just a click of a button.
Enterprises searching for a static site CMS to give them more freedom and flexibility than a static site generator alone should look no further than a headless CMS. When it comes time to choose that headless CMS, the best system for the job is Storyblok.
