Hi everyone! I'm a UX/UI designer looking to build a website for a community group we're starting. We plan to self-host, and while we might accept donations sometime in the future, our main goal is to showcase text and images. I'm on the lookout for a simple, open-source website framework that we can easily develop further as we grow. I remember seeing some great lightweight frameworks on Cohost, but I didn't jot them down. I would really appreciate your recommendations! Thanks!
5 Answers
You might want to look at [tomhummel.com](https://tomhummel.com/posts/four-web-apps/) for some up-to-date strategies for designing a site.
If you're looking for something that allows different people with varying technical skills to contribute, you might want to check out Automad. It’s a flat-file CMS that’s lightweight and comes with a visual builder, making it easy for everyone to use.
Another option to think about is WordPress. It might seem a bit heavy for your needs, but it’s versatile and has a vast ecosystem of plugins to help you out as you grow.
You could also consider using React with Vite for a client-side rendered site, then host it on GitHub Pages for free. I did something similar, and it worked out great for a simple project. Just note that while it’s easy to create multiple pages, it won’t handle data processing or user accounts, but it’s perfect for blogs or portfolios. You can check out my project here: [https://szr2001.github.io/WebMouseTester/](https://szr2001.github.io/WebMouseTester/).
For a straightforward and efficient setup, I highly recommend Astro. It’s a fast, modern static site generator perfect for lightweight sites. You can host it on GitHub Pages for free, which would suit your community project nicely. Plus, Astro is super adaptable, so as your project evolves, you can easily add more features. There’s even a Discord community for support if you need help along the way!
+1 for Astro, it's fantastic for single-page apps.