Static websites, known for their speed, security, and simplicity, are once again a preferred choice for delivering content online. In fact, they’re all the rage, although they’re also old news.
Unlike dynamic websites, they serve the same content to all visitors, ensuring reliability and a high level of performance.
Understanding static websites
Static websites were foundational in the internet's early days, yet they remain as relevant today as ever. Simplified, a static website serves the same content to all visitors, unlike its dynamic counterparts, which generate content on the fly based on user interactions.
Here’s a breakdown:
Static vs. dynamic:
Static websites: Content is fixed and doesn’t change unless manually updated by the admin.
Dynamic websites: Content is generated in real-time, allowing for personalized interactions.
While “dynamic” may sound better, and certainly they have their advantages in certain cases, static websites can provide a better experience for the business and the visitor.
Advantages of static websites
Speed: Static pages load faster than dynamic pages since the content is pre-built and served directly to the user.
Security: With fewer points of interaction with servers and databases, static websites are less vulnerable to hacking and malware attacks.
Hosting simplicity: Static websites can be served globally through content delivery networks (CDNs) for even faster loading times. In some cases, such as with Sundae, you also won’t need to worry about hosting at all.
Reliability: Without the need for backend processing, static websites are less prone to server-side errors, ensuring higher uptime for your site.
Scalability: Handling traffic spikes is more straightforward with static websites. Since each page is pre-rendered, serving more visitors doesn’t strain the server in the same way as dynamic sites.
With some builders, like the one we’ll detail in this article–Sundae, static sites can be sleek and stylish too—and fully customizable, so you can make each page your own!
Why choose monday.com and Sundae for your static website?
The world is speeding up, reading-times are dropping, users are impatient, and it’s easy to see why static websites are making a comeback, especially for projects where simplicity, speed, and security are valued.
So many businesses and teams benefit from the collaborative and administrative power of monday.com, but what if we told you that it can effectively function as a CMS, with you publishing sites and pages online—straight from your monday dashboard.
The process of creating and managing static websites has now become even more accessible with monday.com and Sundae.
By installing the Sundae app for monday.com, you can now build, publish, and maintain static websites straight from your monday.com workspace.
Discover monday.com as a CMS
Monday.com is more than a project management platform, it can double as a collaborative and full-featured CMS for your team.
With monday docs, you have a fully functioning, collaborative CMS. For more info about the best way to use monday docs—including how to use them as a CMS, Read This Post.
Meet Sundae, your static site builder and host inside monday.com
From docs to websites: Sundae transforms your customized and organized monday.com docs into web pages, it’s as simple as that, and you can add as many pages as you want for a comprehensive and sleek website. For more info about Sundae’s powerful publishing features, Read This Blog Post.
Sundae does all kinds of sites: Documentation, help centers, wikis, marketing sites, blogs, or even a combination. Sundae does it all.
No-code magic: You don't need to be a tech wizard to use Sundae. It offers the simplicity to design, develop, and deploy your website without touching a line of code. Just watch the video below to see how easy it is, or read on!
To learn more about Sundae read this blog post, which was actually published with Sundae, or visit our documentation, which was also published with Sundae.
This combo of monday.com and Sundae offers a path that’s insanely quick, clear, customizable, and collaborative.
Building an SEO static website with monday.com and Sundae
Step 1: Create content with monday.com docs
This stage lays the groundwork for what will become the visible content on your website. Here’s how to approach it:
Initiate your document:
Within your project board on monday.com, select the option to “Add Document”. This creates a new doc where your page content will begin to take shape.
You can make one or more pages now, and you can add as many pages as you want later on. These docs will all be accessible from your monday board, so your team can collaborate easily on content.
Outline your web page:
Structure your doc to reflect the intended web page. Use headings for section titles and bullet points for key information.
Each doc represents a separate page on your website, such as your “Home Page”, "About Us", "Services", a “documentation page”, or a “blog post”.
Incorporate visual elements:
Click the “Insert” option to add images, videos, or other media directly into your doc. Place these elements where you envision them on the actual web page, considering layout and user experience.
Finalize content design:
Use monday.com's text formatting tools to adjust font sizes, colors, and styles, ensuring they align with your brand’s visual identity. This preparatory design work aids in maintaining visual consistency when the content is converted to web format by Sundae.
Review and collaborate:
Share the Doc with team members for input. Utilize the discussion and comments features in monday for specific feedback, making real-time collaboration effortless. Adjust content as necessary based on the team's insights.
Step 2: Install Sundae into your monday.com workspace
Access the monday.com app marketplace and find Sundae:
Navigate to the marketplace by clicking on the grid icon located on the bottom left corner of your monday.com dashboard, then search for Sundae. Or, just click this link.
Install Sundae:
Click on the app to view more details. Click "Install" and choose your plan.
Step 3: Create your first website and fine-tune design
Set up your first website:
Look for the Sundae site within your monday.com workspace and click on it. Now, click “Create Site” to start a new project.
Choose the type of site you'd like to build. Click here for a detailed guide. Click here to learn more about the different website types.
Fine-tune design elements:
While individual docs (and webpages) are fully customizable, you can also use Sundae’s custom design options to modify color schemes, fonts, and layout. These global design settings will apply across your site, ensuring consistency.
Click “Settings” in the sidebar to upload a custom logo, favicon, change the language, or input custom code elements. Click “Design” in the sidebar to change your page-header settings or edit the background color of your site.
Step 4: Add website pages, adjust SEO settings, and explore Sundae’s features
Create and update your websites pages:
By default, Sundae lists all boards that are available to your user in all workspaces. Click on the source board/workspace to allocate the source doc that’s inside it. Read our documentation for the full step process.
To add pages to your site, click “Add Page” in Sundae. This action lets you choose which monday.com docs to convert into web pages, building your site piece by piece.
If you wish to update a document or add a page, go back to your monday board and access the source document or add a monday doc to the list. Once edited, head back to Sundae and click “Publish Changes”.
If you click “Pages” in the sidebar, you’ll see that all page settings are accessible, and you also have the ability to drag and drop pages to shuffle their position.
Adjust SEO Settings:
Navigate to “SEO” in Sundae’s sidebar to input your site’s title, meta description, and keywords.
SEO settings include per site and per page options. To access individual page settings, click on the three dots alongside your individual “Pages”, click “Edit” and then expand the SEO section—or simply adjust them via the pop-up window during publication.
Explore Sundae's features:
Familiarize yourself with Sundae’s interface and features by looking at the options in the Sundae sidebar.
Sundae offers a variety of tools for website creation, including template selection, design customization, SEO settings, and analytics (coming soon),
Maximize the benefits of your static website
Here’s how you can ensure your website continues to serve your goals effectively:
Regular content refresh: This may be a static site but you can keep your website dynamic by regularly updating content and SEO elements. Use monday.com to plan and schedule these updates, ensuring your site remains SEO, relevant, and engaging.
Interactive elements and feedback: Even static sites can include interactive elements like forms or quizzes. These can keep visitors engaged and provide valuable data on user preferences and behaviors.
In conclusion
The journey to create a static website has never been more refreshing, thanks to the powerful combination of monday.com and Sundae.
This duo makes building a static website and publishing a static website feel like an ice-cool treat, so anyone can launch a professional-looking site without getting lost in code, complicated website builders, or costly hosting services.
From organizing content on monday.com to bringing it to life with Sundae, you have all the tools needed for a responsive, sleek, SEO-friendly, and highly secure online presence.
Frequently asked questions
What is a static website and why choose one?
A static website consists of fixed content delivered to every visitor. They're favored for their speed, security, and simplicity in hosting. Static websites are ideal for businesses or individuals looking to present information, showcase portfolios, or establish an online presence without the complexity of dynamic content management systems.
Can I build a website on monday.com without coding skills?
Absolutely. monday.com, when paired with Sundae, offers a no-code solution for creating and launching static websites. By organizing your content within monday.com Docs and using Sundae to transform these Docs into web pages, you can build a complete website without any coding knowledge.
How does Sundae integrate with monday.com for website creation?
Sundae seamlessly integrates with monday.com to convert your organized Docs into static web pages. This process leverages the content and design elements you’ve created within monday.com, turning them into a professional website with just a few clicks, streamlining the transition from content planning to website publishing.
What are the SEO benefits of a static website built with Sundae?
Static websites built with Sundae are inherently fast and secure, two factors that positively influence SEO rankings. Additionally, Sundae provides tools to optimize your website with SEO-friendly URLs, meta titles, and descriptions, helping your site rank better in search engine results and attract more organic traffic.
How can I update my static website created with monday.com and Sundae?
Updating your website is straightforward. Simply make the necessary changes to your content in monday.com Docs. Then, within Sundae, use the “Publish Changes” feature to instantly reflect these updates on your live website. This ensures your website remains current, with minimal effort required for maintenance and content management.