Building Static Websites: Why and How

Why build a static website? 

A static website is a website designed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files (client-side languages). The same content is seen by all users and typically does not change often.

• Static sites are more environmentally friendly, requiring less server load. 
• Static sites are not database driven like WordPress or Drupal. 
• Static sites are easier to maintain. No databases or software to update. 
• Static sites have fewer security issues.
• Static sites are faster for client-side loading.
• Static sites are easier to transfer and preserve.

However, site-wide edits and the contribution of multiple authors can be difficult without serious planning and dedicated use of CSS for global design. 

Uses for a Static Site:

• A single short-term project
• Resume or Portfolio
• Online Exhibition
• Open Educational Resource
• Point of entry / collaboration to other sites
• Documentation
• Blog

Vassar College Resources to Build Static Websites

Register for a hosting account at vassarspaces.net. 

Once your account is activated you can use the CPanel to begin building and managing your static site. The easiest way to begin is to use SiteJet Builder. 

Other options available that require uploading of files to your CPanel File Manager include: 

• Jekyll
• Hugo
• Eleventy
• Pelican
• VuePress
• Collection Builder

Additional Resources:

• Website Carbon Calculator
• Git Version Control (note that GitHub is now a part of the MS AI Engineering Group)
  • Alternative: Fossil (About Fossil)
  • Alternative: BitKeeper (About Bitkeeper, opensource version)
• HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt
• Markdown (Markdown is a markup language that allows users to write in a simple, easy-to-read format that can be converted into HTML or other formats.)
  • Markdown Guide
  • LearnMarkdown.com
  • Markdown Tutorial

Guides for vassarspaces.net from the Reclaim Hosting Blog

“Building a Website Without Losing Your Mind (Thanks, SiteJet)”

https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/building-a-website-without-losing-your-mind-thanks-sitejet/ 

“Build a Static Website Using Jekyll”

https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/build-a-static-website-using-jekyll/?ref=reclaim-newsletter 

References

“Creating Preservable Websites | For Site Owners | Web Archiving | Programs | Library of Congress.” n.d. Web page. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Accessed July 26, 2024. https://www.loc.gov/programs/web-archiving/for-site-owners/creating-preservable-websites/.

Why Static Sites in cPanel Just Make Sense. (2025, July 1). Reclaim the Blog. https://blog.reclaimhosting.com/why-static-sites-in-cpanel-just-make-sense/

Wikle, Olivia. 2020. “What Is Static Web and What’s It Doing in the Digital Humanities Classroom?” Text. Dh+lib (blog). World. June 22, 2020. https://acrl.ala.org/dh/2020/06/22/what-is-static-web-and-whats-it-doing-in-the-digital-humanities-classroom/.web