This website is all about feeding structured content to Metalsmith, a Static Site Generator (SSG). Incorporating a content management system (CMS) can alleviate the challenge of managing content with a static site generator. However, finding a stable CMS that is reasonably priced can take time, especially with new startups vying to create the next editor interface. NetlifyCMS and forestry.io are examples of CMSs that faced issues such as abandonment and sunset by their creators. Other headless CMSs can be costly, but the solution might be simpler than we think. Have we forgotten about WordPress?
WordPress is a mature and widely-used content management system known for its user-friendly backend interface. This means that non-technical editors can easily manage and update website content without coding knowledge. In addition, WordPress is free to use and can be hosted anywhere, even locally, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses and individuals.
Furthermore, WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system, with a market share of over 40%. As a result, marketing professionals are likely to encounter it frequently in their work. This familiarity means they can quickly adapt to using WordPress as an editing frontend for Metalsmith.
In contrast to some newer CMSs like Contentful, Sanity, and Strapi, WordPress provides more flexibility and control over content types and structures thanks to its vast library of plugins. While some newer CMSs may offer more granular control in some aspects, WordPress’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows developers to customize the platform to their specific needs. This makes WordPress a more accessible option for non-technical editors who need a simple and intuitive content management system.
WordPress has a vast library of plugins that can extend its functionality, allowing users to add features like analytics and social media integration. This means developers can build a highly functional and customizable website using Metalsmith while using WordPress as the editing frontend.
While some newer CMSs have gained popularity recently, WordPress is still a reliable choice. Even though NetlifyCMS was almost abandoned and Forestry was sunset, WordPress has continued to thrive and evolve.
Using WordPress as an editing frontend for Metalsmith is an intelligent decision for non-technical editors who need a simple and user-friendly content management system. The maturity of WordPress, its low cost, and its availability make it a more accessible option compared to many newer CMSs. In addition, its wide range of plugins ensures that developers can build a highly functional and customizable website using Metalsmith while still using WordPress as the editing frontend.
This website was built as a sandbox to provide content for static site generators. My favorite SSG is Metalsmith and the static site can be found here.