Building My Website with Zola: A Rust-Powered SSG Experience

Introduction

As a Software Architect and an enthusiast of modern web technologies, I recently embarked on a journey to rebuild my professional website. My tool of choice? Zola, an incredibly fast static site generator (SSG) powered by Rust. In this post, I'll share my experiences, insights, and why I think Zola is a game-changer in the world of web development.

Why Zola?

Choosing Zola was driven by my passion for Rust - a language known for its performance and safety. Zola not only brings these benefits to web development but also offers simplicity in usage. It's an all-in-one solution, handling everything from content management to template rendering and site building.

Getting Started with Zola

Installation

The journey began with the installation of Zola. It was as simple as downloading a single executable - no external dependencies, thanks to Rust's compilation model.

Templating and Theming

Zola's templating system, powered by Tera (a template engine similar to Jinja2), made it easy to design a unique and responsive layout. I opted for a minimalist theme that focuses on content readability, aligning with my professional aesthetic.

Content Management

One of Zola's strengths is its approach to content organization. It uses a familiar directory structure. Markdown for content creation was a breeze. I could focus on writing my experiences and skills without worrying about complex HTML structures.

Features I Loved

Speed

Zola's compilation speed is impressive. Changes were rendered almost instantaneously, making the development process incredibly smooth.

Taxonomies

Creating tags and categories was straightforward, helping organize my content efficiently - from blog posts to project showcases.

Shortcodes

Zola's shortcodes allowed for reusable components. This feature saved time, especially for embedding media and custom elements.

Challenges Faced

While Zola is powerful, there's a learning curve, especially for those new to Rust and its conventions. However, the well-written documentation and supportive community were great aids.

Conclusion

Building my website with Zola was not only a professional decision but also a personal challenge. It allowed me to delve deeper into Rust and explore the evolving landscape of static site generation. Zola proved to be more than just a tool; it was an ally in bringing my professional presence online to life.

I encourage fellow developers and content creators to consider Zola for their next web project. It's a testament to how modern tools can simplify and enhance web development.

Stay Connected

For more insights into my work and explorations in technology:

• LinkedIn: Ryan Brown
• Email: ryan@mimetics.io

Feel free to reach out for discussions or collaborations in technology and software architecture.