What is Simply Static?
Simply Static is a powerful WordPress plugin that can transform dynamic WordPress websites into static ones. It works as a static site generator, producing static HTML files from your current WordPress content to improve website speed, security, and scalability. The most well-known static site generator for WordPress is Simply Static, with over 40,000 active users and 800,000 downloads. Users all over the world rely on it for its dependability and efficiency in turning WordPress sites into quick, safe static sites.
About Simply Static and Its Founder
Simply Static is a premier static site generator for WordPress, created by Patrick Posner. Patrick, with his expertise in software development and server administration, is the founder and lead developer of Simply Static. The company operates out of Birkenwerder, Germany. The inception of Simply Static traces back to a crucial moment when Patrick had to ensure a client’s website could withstand a massive influx of traffic after being featured on TV.
With limited server resources, Patrick developed a prototype that successfully managed 3.5 million visitors per hour. This prototype evolved into Simply Static, providing a robust solution for converting dynamic WordPress sites into fast, secure static HTML sites.
FE – Simply Static Lifetime – $399
- All current and future deployment methods
- Single and build exports
- All current and future forms integrations
- All current and future search integrations
- Comments integration
- Multilingual support
- All current and future SEO plugins
- All current and future page builder integrations
- Multisite support
- WP-CLI support
- All current and future minification formats
- Zapier and IFTTT integrations
- All Features below
Features of Simply Static:
Transform your current WordPress website into a static site using Simply Static, the top WordPress static site generator plugin:
- Static Site Generation: Convert your dynamic WordPress site into a static version with a simple click. This enhances page loading speed and security by eliminating server-side processing for each page request.
- Extensive Compatibility: Simply Static seamlessly integrates with popular SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, RankMath, and others, ensuring your site’s SEO remains unaffected. It also works well with page builders like Elementor, allowing you to use familiar tools while benefiting from a static site’s performance improvements.
- Modern User Interface: Farewell to terminal commands. Simply Static provides a modern React-based UI for easy management of static site exports. This user-friendly interface simplifies the process, eliminating the need for technical skills.
- Enhanced Security: Static websites reduce vulnerabilities compared to dynamic ones. By converting to static HTML, you reduce exposure to common web threats, providing a safer browsing experience for users and peace of mind for you.
- Cost-Effective Solution: Hosting a static site can save hosting costs. Static sites are less resource-intensive on servers, making them a more budget-friendly option compared to traditional WordPress setups.
- Performance Improvement: Static sites enhance overall performance by eliminating database calls and server-side processing, leading to faster load times that benefit user experience and SEO.
- Multi-Site Support: Simply Static offers robust support for managing multiple sites. Conduct exports network-wide, configure settings per subsite, and easily transfer settings between sites, streamlining your workflow.
- Flexible Deployment: Deploy your static site on various platforms like SimplyCDN, GitHub, Amazon AWS S3, Digital Ocean Spaces, and BunnyCDN. This flexibility allows you to host your site where it best suits your needs.
- Simply Static Pro Features
- Effortless Site Updates: Simply Static Pro simplifies content updates. Update single posts, perform bulk updates, or target specific URLs with ease and efficiency.
- Forms & Comments Integration: Easily integrate forms from plugins like Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, or Elementor Forms to keep your static site interactive and user-friendly.
- Search Functionality: Implement basic search capabilities with Fuse.js or upgrade to a detailed search experience with Algolia for robust search functionality.
- WP-CLI Integration: Simply Static Pro supports WP-CLI for command line enthusiasts. Configure, export, and manage all features directly from the terminal for advanced control over your static site.
- Multi-Language Support: Serve content in multiple languages with integrations like WPML, Polylang, and TranslatePress to reach a global audience.
- Minification: Boost site performance by minifying CSS, JavaScript, and static HTML files. Smaller file sizes lead to faster loading times and a smoother user experience.
- WordPress Concealment: With Simply Static Pro, replace default WordPress paths to conceal that your site is built on WordPress. This additional layer of security and customization enhances your site.
How to Convert a WordPress Site into Static HTML Using Simply Static
Step 1: Install and Activate Simply Static
To begin converting your WordPress site into static HTML, first log in to your WordPress dashboard. From there, navigate to the “Plugins” section on the left-hand menu and select “Add New.” In the search bar, type “Simply Static” and press Enter. Once you locate the Simply Static plugin in the search results, click “Install Now” and then activate the plugin. This will add the Simply Static menu to your WordPress dashboard.
Step 2: Configure Simply Static Settings
After activating the plugin, you need to configure its settings. Click on the “Simply Static” menu item on the left-hand side of the dashboard. Then, go to the “Settings” section within the Simply Static menu. Here, you need to choose your preferred method for URL generation. If you plan to upload your static site to a server, select “Relative URLs.”
This option ensures that the URLs will work correctly when hosted. If you intend to view the site locally on your computer, choose “Absolute URLs,” though note that this option may not function properly for local viewing. Once you’ve made your selection, scroll down and click “Save Changes” to apply your settings.
Step 3: Generate Static Files
With the settings configured, you can now generate the static files. Navigate to the “Generate” section within the Simply Static menu. Click the “Generate Static Files” button to start the conversion process. The plugin will then begin converting your dynamic WordPress site into static HTML files. This process might take a few minutes, depending on the size of your site. Once the generation is complete, a download link will appear.
Step 4: Download and Extract Static Files
Next, download the generated static files by clicking on the download link. The files will be provided in a zip file format. Save the zip file to your computer and unzip it to access the static HTML files. These files represent the static version of your WordPress site.
Step 5: Deploy Your Static Site
The final step involves deploying your static site. If you selected relative URLs and plan to host the static site on a server, use an FTP client or your hosting provider’s file manager to upload the extracted files to your server. If you chose absolute URLs for local viewing, you can open the extracted files directly in your web browser to see the static version of your site.
Advantages:
- Enhanced Performance: Simply Static boosts site speed by converting dynamic WordPress sites into static HTML, eliminating the need for database queries and server-side processing. This results in faster page loading times and improved overall site performance.
- Improved Security: Static sites are less susceptible to common web attacks like SQL injections and cross-site scripting (XSS) since they don’t rely on server-side processing. This enhances website security, providing peace of mind.
- Cost-effectiveness: Static sites require fewer server resources, reducing hosting expenses. This is especially advantageous for small businesses or personal websites aiming to cut costs.
- Wide Compatibility: Simply Static seamlessly integrates with popular SEO plugins such as Yoast SEO and RankMath, as well as page builders like Elementor. This ensures that SEO and design functionalities remain intact post-conversion.
- User-friendly: The plugin boasts a modern, user-friendly interface based on React, enabling users to export static sites without delving into terminal commands or intricate settings.
- Support for Multisite: Simply Static supports WordPress multisite networks, allowing administrators to perform network-level exports and configure settings per subsite, thereby enhancing efficiency and consistency across multiple sites.
Disadvantages:
- Limited Interactivity: Static sites lack support for dynamic features like user logins, comments, or real-time content updates, which can be limiting for websites relying on interactive elements.
- Update Complexity: Updates on the original WordPress site necessitate regenerating and redeploying the static site each time, which can be time-consuming compared to instant updates available on dynamic sites.
- Plugin Compatibility: Certain WordPress plugins, particularly those dependent on server-side processing, may not function correctly on a static site. This could restrict the functionality of specific features or require additional adjustments.
Who Can Benefit from Simply Static?
Simply Static is a versatile plugin catered to various users seeking to convert their dynamic WordPress sites into static HTML. Here are the primary user groups that can derive significant advantages from Simply Static:
- Bloggers and Content Creators: Writers who predominantly publish articles, tutorials, or static content can benefit from the enhanced performance and security offered by a static site. Simply Static ensures quick content access and improved protection against attacks.
- Small Business Owners: Businesses looking to cut hosting costs and enhance website loading times will find Simply Static valuable. By converting their sites to static HTML, they can provide a fast and secure browsing experience for customers without the complexities of dynamic content management.
- Static Site Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate the simplicity, security, and speed of static sites can easily convert their WordPress sites using Simply Static. This tool is ideal for those who value the benefits of static websites but still prefer WordPress for content management.
- Web Developers: Developers working on client projects requiring fast, secure websites can utilize Simply Static to deliver efficient solutions. It enables them to create dynamic sites using WordPress and then convert them to static HTML for deployment, merging the best of both worlds.
- Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities in need of reliable, fast-loading websites for information dissemination can leverage Simply Static. Static sites efficiently handle high traffic volumes, making them ideal for educational platforms.
- Portfolio Websites: Designers, photographers, and creative professionals showcasing their work online can benefit from the increased speed and security of static sites. Simply Static ensures their portfolios load swiftly and remain shielded from common web threats.
Conclusion:
Simply Static is an invaluable tool for converting WordPress sites into fast, secure, and cost-effective static HTML. Whether you are a blogger, small business owner, web developer, or part of a non-profit organization, Simply Static offers enhanced performance and security for your website. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to optimize your site effortlessly. Group buy Simply Static at Rankmarket now for a one-time fee and enjoy an early-bird discount. Enhance your web presence today with Simply Static!