Boost Your Technical Writing with the Best Static Site Generators

Boost Your Technical Writing with the Best Static Site Generators

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is a Static Site Generator?
3. Benefits of Using a Static Site Generator
4. Criteria for Choosing a Static Site Generator
5. Gatsby
   1. Page Load Speed
   2. Learning Curve
   3. Flexibility in Templating
   4. SEO-Friendly
   5. Docs as Code Workflow
   6. User Experience
6. Hugo
   1. Configuration and Ease of Use
   2. Fast Build Times
   3. Beginner-Friendly
   4. Templating Languages
   5. SEO-Friendly
   6. Customization and Third-Party Integrations
7. Docosaurus
   1. Templating Languages
   2. Free and Open Source
   3. Documentation Versioning
   4. Documentation Search and Localization
   5. Customization and Extensibility
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the top static site generators for technical writers. We will discuss the benefits of using a static site generator and delve into the criteria to consider when choosing one. Additionally, we will review three popular static site generators: Gatsby, Hugo, and Docosaurus. Each generator will be evaluated based on factors like page load speed, learning curve, templating flexibility, search engine optimization (SEO), support for the "docs as code" workflow, customization options, and user experience. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of which static site generator is the right choice for your technical writing needs.

What is a Static Site Generator?

A static site generator is a software tool that uses text input files, such as Markdown, to generate static web pages. Unlike content management systems like WordPress, which generate web pages dynamically upon each request, static site generators pre-render web pages, eliminating the need to process code or query databases. This results in faster and more stable websites, making them ideal for documentation websites. Static site generators allow you to quickly create and maintain documentation websites that are both fast and easy to manage.

Benefits of Using a Static Site Generator

Using a static site generator offers numerous benefits for technical writers. Firstly, static sites are significantly faster and more stable than sites based on content management systems. The pre-rendered nature of static sites eliminates the need to process code or query databases, resulting in lightning-fast page load speeds. Additionally, static site generators provide a simplified and streamlined workflow, allowing technical writers to focus on the content without worrying about the complexities of backend systems. Furthermore, static site generators offer the flexibility to use a variety of templating languages and programming languages, making it easier for technical writers to create and customize their documentation.

Criteria for Choosing a Static Site Generator

When selecting a static site generator for your technical writing needs, several criteria should be considered:

1. Simplicity and ease of setup: How intuitive is the generator's setup process?
2. Build time: How quickly can the generator build web pages?
3. Learning curve: How easy is it for beginners to become productive using the tool? Are programming skills required?
4. Flexibility in templating: What templating languages are supported? Can you easily customize the templates?
5. Search engine optimization (SEO): Does the generator offer features or plugins to improve SEO?
6. Free and open source: Is the generator free and open source, or is there a paid version?
7. Support for the "docs as code" workflow: Can the generator easily integrate into a continuous delivery pipeline?
8. Third-party integrations: Does the generator offer integrations with other tools, such as analytics or commenting systems?
9. Documentation versioning: Can the generator handle multiple product releases and keep the documentation in sync with the code?
10. Search features: Does the generator provide built-in search functionality for easy navigation of the documentation?

Now, let's dive into the details of three top static site generators: Gatsby, Hugo, and Docosaurus.

Gatsby

Gatsby is a static site generator known for its lightning-fast page load speed. Pages created with Gatsby load incredibly quickly, offering an excellent user experience. The learning curve for beginners is relatively low, especially if your team is already familiar with JavaScript or includes JavaScript engineers. Gatsby is designed to be easy to work with, even for non-coders, making it accessible for technical writers of all skill levels. Templating with Gatsby offers flexibility, as you can compose pages in Markdown or MDX and utilize React templates. Since Gatsby is built with React, you have access to a vast ecosystem of React packages. Gatsby also excels in terms of SEO, allowing you to build a search engine-friendly website. Additionally, it supports the "docs as code" workflow and effortless integration into a continuous delivery pipeline. Gatsby even comes with a built-in instantaneous search feature, enhancing the navigation experience for users. With Gatsby's commitment to user experience and accessibility, it is a top choice for technical writers.

Hugo

Hugo is another popular static site generator known for its easy configuration and use. It boasts extremely fast build times, with page generation taking less than one millisecond per page. The learning curve for beginners is forgiving, as no coding skills are required to contribute to documentation created using Hugo. Templating in Hugo includes native Markdown support and uses Go templates, which provide a good level of flexibility. While it may not be as versatile as Gatsby in terms of templating, Hugo offers excellent SEO capabilities. Its support for TOML, YAML, and JSON metadata formats for front matter makes implementing SEO practices hassle-free. Hugo is also an open source software, meaning it is free of cost and highly customizable. It supports the "docs as code" workflow and offers extensive third-party integrations with tools like Google Analytics and the Discuss commenting system. With Hugo, you have direct access to the code, allowing for full customization and a range of ready-made themes to choose from. Additional features like the "minutes to read" and word count functionality make Hugo a compelling option for technical writers.

Docosaurus

Docosaurus is a flexible static site generator that supports multiple templating languages, including Markdown, MDX, and React templates. Similar to Gatsby, Docosaurus is built on React and is free and open source. The generator supports the "docs as code" workflow and offers native documentation versioning, making it easy to keep your docs in sync with your code releases. Docosaurus comes with built-in documentation search utilizing the Algolia search engine, providing users with a seamless search experience from the start. Localization is made easy with Docosaurus, as it allows for easy integration with Git or specialized translation managers like Crowdin. Built using React, Docosaurus allows for extensibility and customization by writing your own React components. Additionally, it provides access to countless React libraries available on npm and other repositories. With the flexibility and features offered by Docosaurus, it is a strong contender for technical writers in search of a powerful yet user-friendly static site generator.

Conclusion

Static site generators offer technical writers a range of benefits, including faster page load times, simplified workflows, and customization options. When choosing a static site generator, consider factors such as learning curve, flexibility in templating, SEO capabilities, support for the "docs as code" workflow, and customization features. Gatsby, Hugo, and Docosaurus are all excellent choices, each with its own strengths. Gatsby excels in performance and user experience, Hugo boasts fast build times and extensive customization options, while Docosaurus offers flexibility, documentation versioning, and powerful search features. Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific needs and skill sets of your team, but regardless of the generator chosen, the benefits of improved documentation creation and management will be evident.