What is the JAMStack?
Simply put, it’s a new way of architecting websites to prioritize speed, reliability and security. The JAMStack consists of three components: javascript, APIs, and markup; hence “JAM”.
Javascript
Javascript is one of the most popular web building languages. It gives us ultimate flexibility, as javascript can render content to the browser, but it can also create dynamic functionality for the user.
APIs
Controls how data is delivered to your website or application. The important part for the JAMStack is that the API abstracts the data from the code, which means that it becoems reusable and flexible. APIs can consist of your own data delivery, or third party services.
Markup
Markup refers to how JAMStack websites are compiled and delivered to users. Most commonly, JAMStack websites are “statically generated” meaning that they use a static site generator such as Gatsby, Nuxt, Next, etc to take all of your content, and compile them into the fastest website it can be.
Why use the JAMStack?
There are many benefits to architecting and developing websites using the JAMStack methodology.
Decoupled
JAMStack built websites separate the backend database from the front end tooling. This means that you’re more flexible on what technologies you use. It also provides the benefit of creating a more flexible environment.
Speed and reliability
Most content built on the JAMStack is served “pre-rendered”. This means that the pages delivered to users are compiled into static HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Static pages are the fastest way to deliver content to your users.
Progressive
Prioritizing security
Decoupling the backend from the front end means that you don’t have to make concurrent database connections. Data is served through APIs, meaning that there are less server and database vulnerabilities. This is a common problem monolithic content management systems like Wordpress, Drupal, Magento and others experience.
Economical
Since websites architected with JAMStack are served with pre-rendered or static files, it means that the overall file sizes are much smaller. This is much cheaper to host, and in a lot of cases, can be free through services like Netlify or Vercel.
User Experience
Both the developer and the content writer can have a great time on the JAMStack. Since JAMStack supports a headless content management system approach, this means you’re flexbile on what content management system you would like to use. All development takes place locally, uses git version control, and is the best experience possible for developers.
What makes it different from the traditional ways?
One of the most popular content management systems out there is Wordpress. Wordpress has a rediculously large marketspace value, making up nearly 30% of all websites that exist on the web today. Millions of users rely on Wordpress to deliver content to their users on a daily basis. However, Wordpress isn’t without it’s quirks.
Content management systems like Wordpress are commonly refered to as a “monolithic cms” - meaning that it’s quite a large architecting system that contains most of everything that you would need for your build. Most monolithic cms’ are expensive to host and maintain (because of their size), and because they are directly coupled to a database, are more vulnerable to hacks.
From a usability standpoint, your experience with the JAMStack as a writer may not be much different, however you will see vast improvements on the speed, reliability, security and monetary of your website.
What are some of the criticisms?
- Decoupling the front-end from the back-end, you create more moving pieces to manage.
- Depending on certain integrations and services, the price point can end up being more expensive.
- The bigger your website gets, the longer it takes to build.
Would the JAMStack work for you?
It totally depends on your project, and the scope of work you are looking to include. The JAMStack thrives on small to medium websites, and allows us developers to create an incredibly fast and reliable system. If you’re interested in learning more, or want to chat about your project, give me a shout!