Astro
The modern framework for pre-rendered editorial sites: maximum performance, minimal JavaScript.
Astro redefined in 2022 how to build modern editorial sites. Its promise: generate static HTML pages by default, and only send JavaScript to the browser where strictly necessary (a carousel, a form, a menu). The result: sites that load in under a second, index perfectly, and cost a fraction of a classic Next.js to host. For marketing sites, corporate blogs and documentation, it has become my default choice.
My take on Astro: it's the tool I recommend as soon as your site is primarily editorial: marketing site, corporate blog, documentation.
Many providers default to Next.js by reflex because it's better known, while Astro does better what you actually want: a site that loads in under a second, indexes perfectly on Google, and deploys to any CDN without a Node server. For you, that translates to reduced hosting cost (often free) and lighter maintenance over time.
Decision rule: if there's no business logic server-side (auth, database, dashboards), Astro will serve you better than Next.js.
- →Marketing site, corporate blog, product documentation
- →Performance and SEO as explicit priorities
- →Mostly static content with occasional interactions
- →Very tight hosting budget: Astro deploys as pure static
- →Willingness to mix React, Vue or Svelte without picking sides
- ×Complex business application with dashboards and server logic: Next.js does it better
- ×Lots of interactivity everywhere (dynamic e-commerce, SaaS): Astro becomes hacky
- ×Team without modern front-end build culture: the learning curve still stands
- →Next.jsIf you need complex server-side application logicView page
- →Eleventy (11ty)If you want even more minimalist, with no JavaScript dependency
- →HugoStatic generator in Go, ultra-fast at build, good for very large editorial sites
- →GatsbyPioneer of React SSG, now losing momentum, not a recommended choice
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Content Collections to structure content: markdown or MDX with Zod validation
- 02
Interactivity islands (React, Vue, Svelte) only where necessary
- 03
Static deployment on Cloudflare Pages, Vercel or OVH: no Node server required
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Native image optimization (Sharp): performance by default
- 05
Playwright tests on critical paths, snapshots of generated pages
Astro or Next.js: how to choose?
Astro for mostly static content (marketing, blog, docs): lighter, faster, free hosting possible. Next.js for applications with server-side logic (auth, database, dashboards). Simple rule: if there's no business logic server-side, Astro is almost always more relevant.How much does an Astro site cost?
For a modern marketing site (10-30 pages, blog, forms), expect €1,500 to €5,000, often slightly less than a Next.js equivalent since integration is more direct. Hosting can be free (Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, GitHub Pages) or €5-15/month on a basic VPS.Can Astro consume a CMS like Strapi or Sanity?
Yes, it's actually one of its strengths. Astro consumes any API or database at build time (Strapi, Sanity, Contentful, markdown files, Notion). The site is regenerated on each content update, often under a minute for 100 pages. For real-time content, hybrid SSR is also possible.What about SEO?
This is one of the areas where Astro shines. HTML pages generated at build, fine-grained metadata, automatic sitemap, configurable Open Graph tags, easy structured data injection. The Core Web Vitals of a typical Astro site are near-perfect with no special optimization: the opposite of WordPress where you fight to reach decent scores.Is Astro a passing fad?
No. 1.0 release in 2022, 5.0 release in 2024, very active community, stable ecosystem. Astro is backed by a foundation (Astro Build) with a healthy economic model and clear product focus. Large organizations (Google Docs, IKEA, Trivago) have adopted it for their editorial sites: a signal of sustainability.
A project involving Astro?
Describe your context: I'll suggest the right level of investment.
First callLet's talk aboutyour project.
Describe your need in a few lines. Reply within 24h to plan next steps, detailed quote within 48h.
- 24h response
- NDA on request