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Tech stack for a website, blog or docs

A content site is mostly files, so it can be fast, secure and free to host. Write in Markdown, build static pages, and add interactivity only where a page needs it.

For example: a portfolio, a blog, a documentation site, a landing page or waitlist, a small business site.

Cost $0 a month for hosting, plus about $11 a year for a domain.

  1. 1

    A framework

    Turns your Markdown and templates into pages with shared layouts, navigation and a sitemap.

    Astro

    Free, open source

    Built for content: Markdown and MDX, no JavaScript sent unless a component needs it, and React, Vue or Svelte components where you want them.

    Also worth a look: Starlight, Hugo, Next.js · compare all frameworks →

  2. 2

    Somewhere to host it

    A static site is only files, so hosting it costs nothing on most platforms. Connect your GitHub repository and every push goes live.

    Cloudflare Workers (incl. Pages)

    Free tier, then from $5/mo

    Stops at the limit

    Static files are served free with no bandwidth charge, and you can add server code on the same account later.

    Also worth a look: Netlify, GitHub Pages, Vercel · compare all paaS →

  3. 3

    A domain name

    The address people type (yourname.com). Your host gives you a free subdomain to start with, so this can wait until you have something to show. Compare renewal prices, not the first-year offer.

    Porkbun

    From $11.08/yr

    The same price for a .com in year one and at renewal, with free WHOIS privacy.

    At $0

    No free option

    No registrar is free. A .com costs about $11 a year at a registrar that renews at the first-year price; free subdomains from your host work until then.

    Also worth a look: Cloudflare Registrar, Namecheap · compare all registrars →

  4. 4

    A mailing list

    Optional

    A sign-up form and a way to email everyone when you publish something. The best way to bring readers back.

    Kit

    Free tier, then from $33/mo

    Not stated Their branding

    Free up to 10,000 subscribers with forms and landing pages.

    Also worth a look: beehiiv, MailerLite · compare all email marketing →

  5. 5

    Knowing when it is down

    Optional

    A service that loads your page every few minutes and emails you when it stops answering.

    UptimeRobot

    Free tier, then from $11/mo

    Not stated

    50 checks every 5 minutes and a public status page, free.

    Also worth a look: Better Stack, Healthchecks.io · compare all monitoring →

What do I need to build a website, blog or docs?

A framework, Somewhere to host it, A domain name. $0 a month for hosting, plus about $11 a year for a domain.

What is the cheapest way to host a website?

A static site on Cloudflare, Netlify, Vercel or GitHub Pages costs nothing to host; you pay only for the domain, about $11 a year for a .com.