Why I Chose Grav CMS for My Web Development Comeback (After 8 Years Offline)
After a decade in web and app development, I stepped away – trading code for coastlines. For eight years, my online presence vanished as I dove into tech support roles, microcontrollers, and 3D printing. When a buyout offer came, I faced a stark reality: my digital footprint was extinct, and web tech had evolved lightyears ahead.
While I gained invaluable experience with enterprise tools like Splunk, ServiceNow, and Tableau – and honed skills in technical writing, training, and dashboard development – my personal site gathered dust. I craved a blog, but between tech hobbies and a love for the ocean, social media lost.
The Rebuild Dilemma: Modern Needs vs. Real Constraints
Returning to MODx (my old CMS standby) felt tempting, but I demanded:
- 🚀 Lightning page speed for UX/SEO
- 🔍 Built-in SEO optimization
- ♿️ Full WCAG accessibility
- ⚡️ A modern stack (MERN over LAMP)
Yet reality intervened:
- My shared hosting blocked Node.js
- My Docker/Traefik home server wasn't production-ready
- I needed deployment yesterday – not after months of infrastructure work
Grav CMS: The Flat-File Solution That Solved My Crisis
Grav CMS became my perfect bridge between speed, simplicity, and modern demands. Here's how it delivered on my core requirements:
⚡️ 1. Blazing-Fast Performance (SEO Supercharger)
As a database-free flat-file CMS, Grav renders pages in milliseconds. Content gets cached as static Markdown files while leveraging:
- Lightweight Twig templating
- On-demand image optimization
- Built-in caching mechanisms
Result: 95+ PageSpeed scores out-of-the-box – critical for SEO and user retention.
🔍 2. SEO-Optimized Architecture
Grav bakes SEO essentials into its core:
- Automatic XML sitemap generation
- Semantic URL structures
- Schema.org microdata support
- Painless meta tag customization
- Clean HTML output (no CMS bloat)
No bulky plugins required – just intelligent defaults.
♿️ 3. Accessibility by Design
Meeting WCAG 2.1 standards was non-negotiable. Grav delivers:
- Semantic HTML5 foundations
- Keyboard navigable templates
- ARIA landmark roles
- High-contrast theming options
- Flexible font scaling
� 4. Hosting Flexibility (No Node.js Required)
The game-changing advantage? Grav runs on standard PHP hosting:
- Deployed instantly on my existing LAMP stack
- Zero infrastructure changes needed
- Migrates seamlessly to my Docker setup later
- Minimal server requirements
Unexpected Grav Perks That Accelerated My Launch
Beyond core requirements, I discovered:
- Git-Friendly Workflow: All content is flat files (Markdown/YAML) – perfect for version control
- Twig Templating: Secure, modern templating that's easy to extend
- Plugin Ecosystem: Added SEO tools, forms, and optimization without bloat
- Headless Capabilities: Future-proof API support for potential JAMstack evolution
The Verdict: Future-Proof Foundation Achieved
Grav gave me a production-ready site in days – not months. It proves you don't need complex stacks to achieve top-tier performance, search visibility, and inclusive design.
Ready to see the results? Your looking at it (coming soon). Next I'll share my Docker deployment strategy and WCAG implementation tips!
Further Reading:
Grav CMS Official Site | WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference | Why Flat-File CMS Are Gaining Popularity