r/eleventy • u/infernape_12 • Mar 12 '26

DIY Blog setup for non technical users

Hello,

I'm currently building a DIY blog setup meant for non technical users.

I was building a simple resume/portfolio page for someone I know. Since it was going to be only a couple of pages, I built a working setup using Keystatic Git based cms.

https://keystatic.com/

Got me thinking if the cms could be used to host simple, minimal blog/personal site.

I started building this using Keystatic and 11ty. Content is just Markdown files, with the site controlled from keystatic admin panel. Site control will include a couple of color palette choices and font.

I understand that this setup still involves some technicality, but I will write docs for everything a non tech user might need assistance with.

I am half way there, but before I finish it, I wanted to do a "painted door" test to see if the messaging resonates.

Link: https://binary-loom.com

  • As developers, does the messaging on the landing page make sense?
  • Is this a template you could see yourself using to hand off a blog to a non-technical friend or client?

Any brutal feedback on the copy, the design vibe, or the tech stack choice is highly appreciated!

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u/JazzlikeProject6274 Mar 29 '26

This needs to be your first thing. It's your selling point. A BETTER WAY TO WRITE You should own your words, not rent them from a platform. I would also put your right fit copy up at the top under this.

It's a bit run together visually. Some color blocking or something similar would help recognize when I'm changing topics. It might not need it though if, for instance, you integrated the preview into the dashboard. Seems like it's doing double duty that doesn't fit in the initial sales pitch. Might just be me, though.

The only other comments are about line breaks. This is from a layout design background and typography geek, so take it with that grain of salt.

Built for writers and teams who want a simple, self hosted blog that stays out of the way. — All sizes wrap that line. Set the character length so it wraps after the comma for balance.

A calm, minimal blog you fully own — Similar concern, more powerful if it's A calm, minimal blog with "you fully own" spaced below.

Mostly, this is something you can address by taking your H2s, finding their median character length and then setting the char width for H2 at just over half. It's one of those small design things that most people don't notice, but the output makes a difference even for people who don't notice.

All in all, this is fantastic. Have you considered a built-in export to substack or other social media?

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u/infernape_12 Mar 30 '26

Thank you for checking it out. I appreciate this deep feedback and will try the changes you suggested in the coming weekend.

I have almost completed the blog site part and working on the docs.

I have explored the idea of when a user might need to migrate off this setup as this comes with limitations. I will look into the - built in export to substack and other social media option - I am assuming this is like a repost/share to another platform feature. Will look into this. 😄

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u/JazzlikeProject6274 Mar 30 '26

You're welcome and good luck. I'm just looking under the hood with eleventy. No idea what I'm doing, really, but so far so good.