Hugo Static Site Generator

How I Created This Blog

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Creating a professional blog starts with a solid foundation – and that begins with registering a great domain, defining your concept, choosing the right system, and picking an ideal host. In this post, I’ll walk you through my detailed journey of setting up this blog. I’ll share insights on domain registration, developing a content concept, selecting the perfect static site generator, and choosing a hosting provider. Let’s dive in!

Registering a Nice Domain

A unique domain is essential for a professional-looking blog. It’s the very first impression your visitors receive and it sets the tone for your online presence. There are plenty of options when it comes to domain endings. For example:

  • example.com
  • example.net
  • example.eu

For a comprehensive list of domain endings, check out this Wikipedia page.

While most domains cost around 20€/year, there are also free domain options available if you’re on a budget. I personally use is-a.dev – a free domain provided by a nonprofit initiative. (Learn more about it on the is-a.dev website.) Other free domain options worth exploring include:

  • eu.org – Note that this service may occasionally be unavailable; you can try via de.eu.org for more details.
  • Additionally, if you’re not too picky about having your own custom domain, you can opt for free Dynamic DNS (DDNS) services such as IPv64 or DuckDNS.

For those interested in more traditional registrars, providers like Freenom or IONOS offer competitive pricing and a broad selection of TLDs.

Creating a Concept for Your Blog

Before getting technical, it’s crucial to develop a clear and focused concept. I chose to create a tech-related blog because it aligns perfectly with my hobby and passion for technology. A well-defined concept not only guides your content but also helps build a recognizable brand.
Here are a few tips to craft your blog concept:

  • Identify Your Niche: Determine what specific topics in tech excite you. Whether it’s software development, gadgets, or industry trends, focus your content around a central theme.
  • Audience Persona: Understand who you’re writing for. Tailor your content to engage readers who share your interests.
  • Visual & Verbal Identity: Develop a consistent tone and design style. This makes your blog memorable and establishes trust with your audience.

For further reading on blog concept development, check out articles on blogging tips by HubSpot or content strategy guides by Content Marketing Institute.

Choosing the Right System

There are countless blog platforms available. While WordPress (learn more at wordpress.org) is one of the most popular and user-friendly options, I opted for Hugo – a static site generator – for several compelling reasons:

  • Speed: Hugo is incredibly fast; your site builds in mere seconds. Check out Hugo’s official website for more details.
  • Simplicity: If you’re comfortable with Markdown, Hugo makes the content creation process very straightforward. It keeps your workflow clean and efficient.
  • Static Nature: As a static site generator, Hugo produces plain HTML files. This minimizes security risks, reduces hosting costs, and eliminates the need for a backend.
  • Flexibility & Customization: Hugo’s templating system and extensive theme library empower you to design a blog that fits your style without unnecessary overhead.

Hugo’s blend of speed, simplicity, and flexibility makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to start a blog without the complexity of dynamic systems.

Choosing the Right Hoster

Since Hugo generates a static website, hosting becomes simple and cost-effective. I take advantage of free hosting services that support static sites:

  • GitHub Pages: Host your Hugo site for free on GitHub Pages. It’s a great option if you’re already familiar with Git and GitHub.
  • Cloudflare Pages: Another robust and free hosting option for static websites. Learn more at Cloudflare Pages.

These providers allow you to deploy static files with ease, eliminating the need for a backend server. If you ever decide to expand or require more features, many other hosting providers offer scalable plans tailored for static sites.

In Summary

The journey to creating this blog involved a series of well-thought-out steps:

  1. Domain Registration: I secured a memorable domain – opting for free options like is-a.dev (learn more at is-a.dev) or checking alternatives like eu.org, Freenom, or IONOS. Free DDNS services like IPv64 and DuckDNS are great if you’re flexible.
  2. Concept Development: Defining my niche in the tech space helped me target the right audience and build a strong brand.
  3. System Selection: Choosing Hugo (gohugo.io) ensured fast builds, simplicity with Markdown, and a secure, static website.
  4. Hosting: Utilizing free hosting solutions like GitHub Pages and Cloudflare Pages allowed me to deploy my site quickly and cost-effectively.

By carefully considering each of these elements and leveraging free, reliable services, I’ve built a blog that is professional, efficient, and tailored to my needs.

Happy blogging, and I hope my journey inspires you to create your own corner of the web!

Software and services mentioned in this post:

Each of these tools and registrars played a role in setting up this blog, and I encourage you to explore them as you embark on your own blogging journey.