My Journey with Hugo
Posted on April 5, 2024 • 3 minutes • 586 words • Other languages: Türkçe
Hey everyone! Today marks the exciting launch of my personal blog! I’m thrilled to finally share my thoughts, projects, and passions with the online world. But before we dive into the good stuff, I wanted to take a moment to share why I chose Hugo as my blogging platform and the process of getting my first post up and running.
The Hugo Appeal
As a Technical Product Owner with a love for tech, I knew I wanted a platform that offered flexibility, customization, and control. While there are many great blogging options out there, Hugo stood out for several reasons:
- Static Site Generation: Unlike traditional content management systems (CMS), Hugo creates static HTML files for your blog posts. This translates to faster loading times, improved security, and easier deployment. Perfect for those who value performance and control.
- Markdown Friendly: No need to be a coding whiz! Hugo utilizes Markdown, a simple and readable language for formatting text, adding images, and embedding code snippets. This allows me to focus on content creation without getting bogged down in complex coding.
- Customization Galore: Hugo offers a wide range of themes and templates to personalize the look and feel of your blog. Plus, with some coding knowledge, you can tailor the platform to your specific needs. This flexibility allows me to create a unique and engaging experience for my readers.
Why Hugo? A Look at the Alternatives
While I explored several SSGs, here’s why Hugo emerged as the frontrunner:
- Gatsby: Gatsby is a fantastic platform, especially for complex websites with interactive elements. However, for my needs, I preferred Hugo’s focus on simplicity and performance. Hugo’s Markdown approach felt more lightweight for my content-driven blog.
- WordPress: WordPress is a powerful and popular CMS, but it leans more towards a traditional database-driven approach. This can lead to slower loading times and more complex maintenance compared to Hugo’s static file generation. Additionally, while WordPress offers customization options, Hugo’s structure felt more straightforward for my technical skillset. Getting Started with Hugo
Setting up Hugo was surprisingly smooth. Here’s a quick rundown of the process:
- Installation: Installing Hugo is a breeze. There are simple instructions for various operating systems on the official website https://gohugo.io/ .
- Theme Selection: The Hugo ecosystem boasts a vast collection of free and paid themes. I spent some time browsing and found a theme that matched my desired aesthetics.
- Content Creation: Armed with Markdown basics, I started crafting my first blog post! Adding images and formatting text was a piece of cake.
- Local Testing: Hugo allows for local testing before publishing. This is a fantastic feature to ensure everything looks and functions as intended before going live.
- Deployment: Finally, I chose a hosting platform and deployed my static blog files. There are many hosting options available, catering to various technical expertise levels.
From Blank Page to First Post (Timeframe):
The time it takes to get your first Hugo blog post published will vary depending on your technical background and desired level of customization. A basic setup with pre-made themes could take as little as a few hours. However, if you’re diving into custom themes and coding, allow yourself a few days to get comfortable.
What’s Next?
Now that my blog is up and running, I’m excited to share more about EV charging, Raspberry Pi projects, anime explorations, and the intersection of these interests! Stay tuned for upcoming posts, and feel free to leave comments or reach out if you have any questions.
Here’s to a journey of learning, creating, and connecting!