Terra - Built with Speed in Mind | Chris Morrison

Terra - Built with Speed in Mind

View Terra Here

While Terra isn't a real company, this project was a fun and educational experience. I collaborated with another developer to create a Gatsby template kit that can be used by web developers to build their own small business websites.

Choosing a Static Site Generator

When deciding on the technology stack for this project, I opted for a static site generator (SSG). SSGs pre-render web pages into static HTML files, which can significantly improve performance and SEO. I chose React and Gatsby for their powerful features, static code optimizations, and developer-friendly ecosystem.

Key Features of the Template Kit

  • SEO-optimized: I implemented on-page SEO strategies to ensure that each page of the website is optimized for search engines. This includes features like automatically generated meta tags, structured data, and ensuring non-decorative images have alt text.
  • Blazing-fast load times: Using Gatsby-specific optimizations, I was able to achieve very fast load times. This is crucial for providing a great user experience and improving SEO.
  • Accessibility: The website is highly accessible, ensuring that it can be used by all. This is important for enhancing user experience and improving SEO.
  • Static blog: I included a statically generated blog powered by NetlifyCMS. This makes it easy for website owners to create and manage blog content.
  • NetlifyCMS integration: The template kit comes with a ready-to-use NetlifyCMS instance, allowing website owners to write and publish blog articles without needing to know any coding.
  • Call-to-action opportunities: I incorporated various call-to-action elements throughout the website to encourage visitors to take specific actions, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.

Conclusion

This project was a great opportunity to learn and experiment with new technologies. By using a static site generator like Gatsby, I was able to create a highly performant, SEO-friendly, and accessible website. This template kit is already being used by developers to build fast, clean websites.