Web architecture and cloud development: Jamstack, rendering and hosting
Web architecture and cloud development decide how your website is built, where it runs and how it handles growth. Modern choices include Jamstack sites served from a CDN, server-side or static rendering, progressive web apps, serverless functions and cloud hosts like AWS, Google Cloud and Azure. The right mix makes a site faster, safer and cheaper to run.
What is Jamstack architecture?
Jamstack pre-builds pages ahead of time and serves them from a global CDN. Dynamic features like forms, search and payments come from APIs. The result is a site that is very fast, hard to hack and simple to host. It suits marketing sites, blogs, documentation and many online stores. It needs a different workflow from a traditional all-in-one platform.
Server-side rendering vs static site generation
| Server-side rendering (SSR) | Static site generation (SSG) | |
|---|---|---|
| When pages are built | On every request | Once, at deploy time |
| Speed | Fast, with server work per visit | Fastest, served straight from a CDN |
| Fresh content | Always up to date | Updated on each rebuild |
| Best for | Personalised or fast-changing pages | Marketing pages, blogs, docs |
Both are good for SEO, because search engines receive complete HTML. Frameworks like Next.js let you mix both on one site.
Other modern architecture patterns
- Progressive web apps (PWAs) are websites that behave like apps: installable, fast and usable offline, without an app store.
- Serverless runs code only when needed and scales automatically. It is great for APIs and spiky traffic.
- Microservices split a big system into small services. That helps large teams scale, but adds complexity. Start with a simple “monolith” unless you clearly need it.
- Edge computing runs code close to users for lower delay worldwide.
AWS vs Google Cloud vs Azure for website hosting
| Cloud | Known for | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|
| AWS | The widest range of services | You want the biggest ecosystem and choice |
| Google Cloud | Data, analytics and Kubernetes | You run data-heavy or container workloads |
| Azure | Microsoft integration | Your business already runs on Microsoft tools |
Many business websites don't need a full cloud setup at all. Platforms like Vercel, Netlify or Cloudflare Pages deploy modern sites automatically and serve them from a global network. Choose based on your stack, team skills, region and pricing.
Docker, Kubernetes and CI/CD
Docker packages an app with everything it needs, so it runs the same everywhere. Kubernetes manages many containers, handling scaling and restarts. CI/CD pipelines test and deploy code automatically on every change. Together they make releases reliable, but they suit larger teams and high-traffic systems best.
How to choose an architecture
- Mostly content? Jamstack or static generation on a CDN.
- Logins, personalisation or live data? Server rendering plus APIs.
- App-like experience without an app store? A PWA.
- Unpredictable traffic? Serverless functions.
We help businesses choose and build the right setup. See our SEO and performance guide, our development services, or talk to us.
Frequently asked questions
What is Jamstack architecture?
An approach that pre-builds pages and serves them from a CDN, using APIs for dynamic features. It is fast, secure and simple to host.
SSR or SSG: which is better?
SSG is fastest for pages that change rarely, like marketing pages and blogs. SSR suits personalised or frequently changing pages.
AWS, Google Cloud or Azure: which is best for website hosting?
AWS has the widest services, Google Cloud is strong in data and Kubernetes, and Azure suits Microsoft-based businesses. Choose by stack, skills and price.
What is a progressive web app?
A website that works like an app: installable, fast and usable offline, without going through an app store.
Do small business websites need Kubernetes?
Usually not. Managed platforms like Vercel, Netlify or Cloudflare Pages are simpler and cheaper for most business websites.