Why I Chose a File-Based Blog Instead of a CMS
Content management systems are powerful.
They offer dashboards, editors, workflows, and plugins.
But for this site, I chose something simpler: a file-based blog.
I Wanted Fewer Moving Parts
A CMS introduces:
- Databases
- Admin panels
- Authentication
- Backups and updates
For a small, focused blog, these add complexity without much benefit.
Markdown files remove an entire layer of maintenance.
Writing Feels Better in Markdown
Markdown is:
- Fast to write
- Easy to read
- Version-controlled
- Editor-agnostic
I can write posts in my code editor, commit them, and deploy — no browser-based editor required.
Performance and SEO Are Simpler
With a file-based approach:
- Pages are generated at build time
- Content is immediately indexable
- No runtime fetches or loading states
Search engines see complete pages, not placeholders.
Cost and Reliability Matter
A file-based blog:
- Has no hosting database cost
- Doesn't depend on third-party services
- Works as long as the site builds
There's less to break and less to maintain.
When a CMS Makes Sense
A CMS is still the right choice when:
- Multiple authors need workflows
- Content updates must happen without redeploying
- Non-technical editors are involved
This site doesn't need that level of complexity.
Final Thought
Choosing a file-based blog wasn't about avoiding technology — it was about using the right amount of it.
Sometimes, the simplest solution is the most reliable one.