Eleventy Static Site Generator

2020-09-01

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For the last three years, I used Hexo as my static site generator. It worked well enough and helped me publish blog posts without much trouble. Over time, though, I ran into limits that made it hard to build the kind of site I really wanted.

When I decided to start freelancing again, I needed to update my website and add a portfolio. That was the moment I knew it was time to look for a new static site generator.

What I Needed

Before choosing a new tool, I made a clear list of requirements.

First, I wanted to keep using JavaScript for development and Markdown for content. All of my existing blog posts were already written in Markdown, so I wanted an easy way to move them over with little extra work.

Second, I wanted to reuse an HTML and CSS design I had built a few years earlier. I did not want to rebuild my site design from scratch.

Third, I needed my site to handle two types of content:

Each list needed its own page, and every post or project needed its own detail page where I could write more in depth.

Exploring My Options

With these needs in mind, I visited Static Site Gen and researched several JavaScript-based tools, including:

Many of these tools are powerful, but they also come with a lot of setup and extra complexity. Most are built on top of large front-end frameworks. For my personal site, that felt like overkill.

Why I Chose Eleventy

Eleventy stood out right away. It is built from the ground up to create simple, fast static sites. It does not force you to use a specific framework. Instead, it lets you choose the templating system that works best for you.

At first, Eleventy almost felt too simple. I expected more complexity, which actually made it confusing at the start. Once I adjusted my mindset, things clicked.

With help from Bryan Robinson’s Eleventy YouTube tutorial and advice from friendly developers on GitHub, I learned how Eleventy works behind the scenes.

The Result

Now my site does exactly what I want:

Eleventy gives me control without getting in my way. It stays out of the spotlight and lets me focus on writing, design, and content.

Final Thoughts

After switching from Hexo to Eleventy, I am very happy with the result. It fits my workflow, respects my time, and performs well.

Going forward, Eleventy will be my static site generator of choice for this website and future projects.