orlandoaltamirandaQ: Hello Patrick, I hope you are well.
I have some questions, could you help me solve them? š
1- We can develop WordPress sites locally, use Simply Static, obtain the HTML/CSS and JS code and upload it to our preferred hosting using FTP / GitHub, etc.. With the aim of having more automated and less repetitive processes, right?
2- In addition to LocalWP and Lando, can we also use Docker for our local development or any similar technology?
3- Could you explain to me how your forms solution works? I read that it is compatible with certain plugins (Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, or Elementor Forms), but how do they work if there is no PHP or MySQL code behind it?
* Another solution that occurs to me is to use embedded forms. It should work right?
4- What limitations are there regarding plugins? That is, how do I know if the plugins I use will be compatible? I use SEO plugins, block builders, redirects, etc. How can I know if my plugin is working correctly when using Simply Static?
I know that it has compatibility with several famous plugins, but in some cases I use very specific and perhaps little-known plugins. So how could I recognize a plugin that may generate inconsistencies when converting my WordPress site into a static site with your tool?
5- I understand that this deal is for the Static Pro plan, but I saw that you are planning to launch the Static Central plan. What differences or additional features will this plan have? More than anything I ask out of curiosity and perhaps to understand what is ideal for me..
Thank you for your help šš» and sorry for the length of my questions, I wish you and the entire Simply Static team the best of success, you have a great tool. š
Patrick_SimplyStatic
Jun 27, 2024A: Happy to help!
1- We can develop WordPress sites locally, use Simply Static, obtain the HTML/CSS and JS code and upload it to our preferred hosting using FTP / GitHub, etc.. With the aim of having more automated and less repetitive processes, right?
Yes!
2- In addition to LocalWP and Lando, can we also use Docker for our local development or any similar technology?
You can use Docker, but the setup is a bit more tricky because of the way it handles the IP within the container.
We have an option inside of Simply Static now to help with that called "Origin URL" (Simply Static -> Settings -> Misc -> Origin URL) - set the IP of the container here and save the settings - this should handle most docker-like scenarios.
3- Could you explain to me how your forms solution works? I read that it is compatible with certain plugins (Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms, or Elementor Forms), but how do they work if there is no PHP or MySQL code behind it?
* Another solution that occurs to me is to use embedded forms. It should work right?
We handle them with JavaScript by sending the submission to a webhook.
We have a webhook receiver implemented into Simply Static that is configured by default (but requires WP to be online somewhere).
You can also replace it with one from Zapier, Make, FormSpark, or any other webhook service.
Embedded Forms will work right away!
4- What limitations are there regarding plugins? That is, how do I know if the plugins I use will be compatible? I use SEO plugins, block builders, redirects, etc. How can I know if my plugin is working correctly when using Simply Static?
I know that it has compatibility with several famous plugins, but in some cases I use very specific and perhaps little-known plugins. So how could I recognize a plugin that may generate inconsistencies when converting my WordPress site into a static site with your tool?
We now have a compatibility checker included in the plugin.
So when installing or visiting the "Plugins" page in your admin area, we will let you know exactly which plugins are compatible.
We keep extending the list with every release, and if you're unsure about a specific one - just reach out to us, and we'll check it (and maybe add it to the list)
5- I understand that this deal is for the Static Pro plan, but I saw that you are planning to launch the Static Central plan. What differences or additional features will this plan have? More than anything I ask out of curiosity and perhaps to understand what is ideal for me..
Central is a hosted service that includes Simply Static.
We handle WordPress for you and make it available only when needed.
As you already asked about Docker, I think I can throw in some technical details here, right? š
it's a Kubernetes Cluster managed by us that spins up containers with an optimized Docker image for WordPress and Simply Static (also maintained by us).
You will get access to a dashboard with all your static sites. From the dashboard, you can start/stop WordPress and run static exports.
We are currently exploring the option to also include a basic static site hosting option (so you get an all-in-one solution) without requiring our customers to use it (so you can still export to GitHub, AWS, and so on).
Verified purchaser
Hi Patrick, I wanted to get a little more clarity on web forms.
Say, we setup staging.domain.com and install WP with Simply Static where we build/maintain/export to SS our website... and then we have www.domain.com hosting account with no WP. Is WP required for web forms to work in this setup and if so, where/how do we make these two connections so this is possible with your webhook as you described. Just trying to wrap my head around this, but very excited to try this if it seems possible.
If it helps, I use Divi and I use their built-in web form builder. What would your recommended config be based on the above outline with divi as my form "plugin"? Thanks
Verified purchaser
> Say, we setup staging.domain.com and install WP with Simply Static where we build/maintain/export to SS our website... and then we have www.domain.com hosting account with no WP. Is WP required for web forms to work in this setup and if so, where/how do we make these two connections so this is possible with your webhook as you described. Just trying to wrap my head around this, but very excited to try this if it seems possible.
If it helps, I use Divi and I use their built-in web form builder. What would your recommended config be based on the above outline with divi as my form "plugin"? Thanks
WP is only required if you use our internal webhook (included in the plugin), but I recommend an external one in your case.
As we right now not officially support Divi forms, I would recommend https://formspark.io/
Here, all you have to do is set the "action" attribute of your DIVI form to the webhook URL from Formspark, and they will handle it from there (spam checking, sending submissions to your e-mail inbox, and so on).
However, you can also use the webhook from WP for that. What we are doing here is sending the request from www.domain.com to staging.domain.com - this does require some technical setup (CORS restrictions), but it works the same way as Formspark - your staging website receives the submission and sends the details to your configured e-mail address.
Verified purchaser
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, FormSpark.io is not online today, which is a concern as a service provider. Do you have any other similar suggestions? It sounds like a great alternative, or I can look into your final suggestion of using my own staging server with WP. Thanks again. I really like the idea of making this work!
Verified purchaser
> Unfortunately, FormSpark.io is not online today, which is a concern as a service provider. Do you have any other similar suggestions?
Oh, sure! We have a tutorial with all kinds of different alternatives here: https://simplystatic.com/tutorials/forms-on-a-static-site/