how to create a hybrid wordpress and static site using github pages for maximum performance

    Why Hybrid Sites Are The Future Of WordPress

    WordPress is powerful because it's dynamic. GitHub Pages is brilliant because it's static. But what if you could get the best of both worlds? That's exactly what I experimented with while building my own portfolio site.

    Instead of choosing between speed and flexibility, I decided to merge them into a single workflow — a hybrid WordPress and GitHub Pages setup. The result? Near-instant loading times and dynamic power where needed.

    What Is A Hybrid WordPress Static Site Anyway

    A hybrid WordPress-static site setup means serving most of your content (blogs, pages, landing sections) as fast static HTML via GitHub Pages, while keeping a slimmed-down WordPress backend for critical dynamic functions like:

    • Forms and submissions
    • eCommerce (with decoupled checkout)
    • Real-time blog publishing (with API calls)
    • User authentication if needed

    Think of it as giving your website a "supercar body" (static) with a "turbocharged engine" (dynamic backend) only when necessary.

    Benefits Of Hybrid WordPress And GitHub Pages Setup

    • Speed: Static parts load nearly instantly worldwide via GitHub’s CDN
    • Security: Less attack surface since your main public site is static
    • Cost: GitHub Pages is free — fewer hosting bills
    • Flexibility: Keep using WordPress admin for updates when needed

    This model works especially well for portfolios, documentation sites, marketing websites, or personal blogs.

    How To Build A Hybrid WordPress Static Site Step By Step

    1 Prepare Your WordPress Site

    First, set up your WordPress site normally on your preferred hosting. Keep your theme lightweight — you won't need heavy page builders.

    2 Use Static Site Generators Or Plugins

    To generate a static version of your WordPress content:

    • Install plugins like Simply Static, WP2Static, or Staatic
    • Configure which pages, posts, and assets you want to export
    • Generate the static site files (HTML, CSS, images, JS)

    These plugins handle rewriting URLs and adjusting paths for you automatically.

    3 Push Static Files To GitHub Pages

    • Create a new repository on GitHub
    • Push the exported static files to this repo
    • Enable GitHub Pages in the repository settings
    • Get your public static site URL from GitHub

    4 Keep WordPress For Dynamic APIs Only

    Instead of serving everything dynamically, use WordPress only for:

    • Handling form submissions via REST API
    • Providing JSON data for blog feeds if needed
    • Processing WooCommerce checkout flows via API

    This reduces server load dramatically while retaining core functions.

    Real Case Study My Personal Blog Hybrid Setup

    I used WordPress to manage blog posts via the REST API and GitHub Pages to serve the actual site content. Static pages load in under 0.5 seconds globally. Meanwhile, when I publish a new article, a webhook triggers the static site regeneration and updates GitHub Pages automatically.

    This hybrid model cut my hosting costs by 70%, boosted Google Core Web Vitals to near-perfect scores, and made maintenance almost zero effort.

    Tips For Managing A Hybrid Setup Smoothly

    • Set up automatic deployments using GitHub Actions to regenerate static files when new WordPress content is published
    • Use Netlify or Vercel if you need more advanced hosting features on top of GitHub Pages
    • Document clearly which parts are static and which still rely on WordPress API
    • Keep your WordPress backend secured and hidden behind authentication

    Common Pitfalls And How To Avoid Them

    1 Broken Links After Static Export

    Always double-check relative paths and internal links after generating your static files. Some WordPress plugins might cause issues if not configured properly.

    2 Form Handling Challenges

    Forms require a live server to process data. Solutions include:

    • Sending form data via JavaScript fetch() to WordPress REST API endpoints
    • Using third-party services like Formspree if backend complexity is too much

    3 Plugin Incompatibility

    Plugins that rely on dynamic server-side processes (like membership sites, live search) won’t work out of the box in a static context. Plan your plugin stack carefully.

    Conclusion Unlock The Future Of Smarter WordPress Sites

    A hybrid WordPress and GitHub Pages setup isn't just a nerdy experiment — it's a forward-thinking solution for anyone serious about website performance, cost savings, and security.

    If you're willing to think creatively, experiment, and build smart systems, your WordPress site will outperform and outlast the competition for years to come.

    Remember the golden rule: static where possible, dynamic only where necessary!