Introduction

For years my portfolio site ran on a PHP-based framework. While it worked, maintaining it became a barrier to publishing. Setting up the environment, syncing databases, and adding new pages created enough friction that I stopped updating it altogether. I wanted a workflow that was simple, fast, and completely under my control.

That need led me to use Genix, the static site generator I developed. This rebuild shows how Genix can deliver best-in-class performance with almost no cost.

Why I Chose Genix

Genix was created to solve a problem I kept running into: I wanted the ease of posting static content without sacrificing full control over the code. Traditional frameworks added overhead, and third-party site builders limited flexibility. Genix struck a balance by letting me write in plain HTML, add shortcodes when needed, and keep everything simple.

When it came time to rebuild my site, the choice was obvious. Genix allowed me to:

• Reuse 100% of my existing content with minimal effort.
• Strip away unnecessary backend complexity.
• Publish without worrying about hosting costs or platform lock-in.

The Migration Process

Migrating from my old PHP site to Genix took less than an hour. I copied the original page source into Genix, downloaded the necessary includes, and immediately had a working static version of my site. The entire process could easily be automated, but even by hand it was quick and painless.

From there, I rebuilt the codebase line by line with a focus on:

• Performance: Pages were optimized to pass Web Core Vitals, even with Google Tag Manager enabled.
• Minimal Design: A clean, functional layout that kept the site fast and lightweight.
• Code Flexibility: The ability to include custom headers, scripts, or page-specific code where needed without relying on complex frameworks.

Writing and Publishing Workflow

One of the biggest advantages of Genix is how easy it is to publish. I can write articles directly in Google Docs, convert them to Markdown files, and drop them into my site as static pages. Updates are pushed through GitHub in minutes, with no need for backend services or database syncs. This workflow makes publishing fast, repeatable, and portable.

Hosting for Free with Cloudflare Pages

The new site runs entirely on Cloudflare Pages, which means hosting is free. The plan allows up to 100,000 requests per day at no cost, and even millions of requests only cost a few dollars. Cloudflare also provides:

• Free HTTPS: SSL certificates are automatically handled, so renewals are worry-free.
• Email Routing: A professional domain-based email address for contact, without the need to pay for email hosting until I outgrow the free option.
• DDoS Protection: Built-in safeguards to keep the site safe from online attacks.

This setup eliminated hosting fees while giving me performance and security features that would normally require premium services.

Results and Next Steps

The rebuilt portfolio site is fast, reliable, and simple to maintain. I can publish new content in minutes from any computer, with a workflow that keeps me focused on the work instead of the infrastructure.

Most importantly, this approach gives me freedom. I have full control of the code, no recurring hosting costs, and a platform I can build on for future projects and features. This project shows how Genix makes static publishing accessible, powerful, and sustainable at virtually no cost.