Gridsome Development

TL;DR

What it is: Building static websites using Gridsome, a Vue.js framework inspired by Gatsby that uses GraphQL for data management. You create fast, SEO-optimized websites for clients who need portfolios, blogs, documentation sites, and marketing pages.

What you'll do:

Develop static websites with Vue.js and Gridsome
Configure GraphQL data layers to pull content from various sources
Build reusable Vue components with Gridsome conventions
Optimize performance and implement SEO best practices
Deploy sites and integrate with headless CMS platforms

Time to learn: 4-8 months if you already know Vue.js and practice 10-15 hours weekly; add 3-6 months if you're learning Vue.js from scratch.

What you need: Strong Vue.js skills, JavaScript proficiency, GraphQL basics, understanding of static site generation concepts, and a portfolio demonstrating your Gridsome work.

What This Actually Is

Gridsome development is building static websites using a Vue.js framework that generates pre-rendered HTML files. It's essentially the Vue.js equivalent of Gatsby (which uses React), offering similar benefits of fast performance, SEO optimization, and modern developer experience.

As a Gridsome developer, you're a Vue.js developer with specialized knowledge of static site generation, GraphQL data layers, and the Gridsome ecosystem. The framework handles code splitting, asset optimization, progressive images, and link prefetching automatically, which means your sites load quickly with minimal configuration.

The work involves writing Vue components, setting up GraphQL queries to pull data from various sources (headless CMSs, markdown files, APIs), configuring routing and plugins, and deploying static sites that hydrate into fully interactive Vue.js single-page applications once loaded in the browser.

This isn't a standalone skill—it's a specialization within Vue.js development focused on static site generation. Clients choose Gridsome when they want fast, SEO-friendly websites with the developer experience of Vue.js and the power of GraphQL for managing content.

What You'll Actually Do

Your daily work depends on the project type, but common tasks include:

Building site structure. You create Vue components following Gridsome conventions, set up page templates, configure layouts, and implement navigation. Gridsome uses file-based routing similar to Nuxt, so organizing files properly is part of the work.

Configuring GraphQL data layers. Gridsome's defining feature is its GraphQL layer for managing data. You connect data sources (markdown files, headless CMSs like Contentful or Strapi, WordPress, APIs), write GraphQL queries to fetch content, and display that data in your components.

Developing portfolio sites. Many Gridsome projects are portfolio websites for creatives, developers, or small businesses. You build project galleries, case study pages, contact forms, and about sections that showcase work effectively.

Creating blog systems. You implement blog functionality using markdown files or headless CMS integration. This includes post listings, individual post pages, tag systems, search functionality, and pagination.

Building documentation sites. Gridsome works well for technical documentation. You create documentation structures, implement search, organize content hierarchies, and ensure easy navigation through large documentation sets.

Optimizing performance. While Gridsome handles much optimization automatically, you still configure image optimization, implement lazy loading, manage bundle sizes, and ensure the site achieves high performance scores.

Integrating with headless CMSs. Many clients want content editors to manage site content without touching code. You integrate Gridsome with platforms like Contentful, Sanity, Strapi, or Netlify CMS, setting up data sourcing and build triggers.

Setting up deployment. You configure projects for deployment to platforms like Netlify, Vercel, or traditional hosting. This includes setting up build scripts, environment variables, and continuous deployment from Git repositories.

Implementing SEO. You configure meta tags, structured data, sitemaps, social media previews, and other SEO elements to ensure sites rank well and share properly on social platforms.

Maintaining and updating sites. Clients need ongoing support for content updates, bug fixes, feature additions, and dependency updates. You handle these maintenance tasks and sometimes migrate between Gridsome versions.

Skills You Need

Vue.js proficiency. Gridsome is built on Vue.js, so you need solid Vue skills first. This includes Vue 2 or Vue 3 components, directives, computed properties, lifecycle hooks, component communication, and Vue patterns. Without strong Vue knowledge, Gridsome will be confusing.

JavaScript fundamentals. You need solid JavaScript beyond basics—async/await, promises, array methods, object manipulation, ES6+ features, modules, and functional programming concepts.

GraphQL basics. Unlike typical Vue development, Gridsome uses GraphQL for data management. You need to understand GraphQL queries, variables, fragments, and how to structure queries to fetch exactly the data you need.

Static site generation concepts. Understanding how static site generators differ from server-rendered or client-side applications is crucial. You need to know when static generation makes sense and when it doesn't.

Markdown knowledge. Many Gridsome projects use markdown for content. You should be comfortable with markdown syntax, frontmatter for metadata, and processing markdown in Vue components.

CSS and styling. Gridsome projects use various styling approaches—scoped CSS in Vue files, CSS preprocessors like SASS, Tailwind CSS, or other frameworks. You need comfort with at least one approach.

Git version control. All professional development uses Git. You need branching, commits, pull requests, merging, and conflict resolution skills.

Headless CMS integration. Understanding how to connect Gridsome with headless CMS platforms, configure source plugins, and handle content updates is valuable for client projects.

Deployment and build processes. Knowledge of how to deploy static sites, configure build environments, set up continuous deployment, and troubleshoot build failures is essential.

Problem-solving abilities. Debugging GraphQL queries, diagnosing build issues, understanding plugin conflicts, and finding solutions in limited documentation requires strong problem-solving skills.

Communication skills. Explaining technical decisions to clients, setting realistic expectations, managing project scope, and providing clear updates are all part of freelance work.

Getting Started

First, ensure you have solid Vue.js skills. If you're still learning Vue basics, focus on that before exploring Gridsome. You should be comfortable building Vue applications without constantly referencing basic documentation.

Learn Gridsome through the official documentation at gridsome.org/docs. Work through the getting started guide and build the example projects. The documentation is smaller than frameworks like Next.js, so reading it thoroughly is manageable.

Understand GraphQL fundamentals. You don't need to be a GraphQL expert, but understanding queries, how to fetch data, and basic GraphQL concepts is necessary. Search for GraphQL tutorials specific to Gridsome.

Build personal projects showcasing Gridsome capabilities. Create a portfolio site using Gridsome, build a blog with markdown files, develop a documentation site structure, or create a project showcase pulling data from a headless CMS. Focus on projects demonstrating different Gridsome features.

Study Gridsome starters available at gridsome.org/starters. These are pre-built templates showing common patterns and implementations. Clone them, understand how they work, and use them as learning resources.

Set up a portfolio website showcasing your Gridsome projects. Include live demos, GitHub repositories, and descriptions of what each project demonstrates. This is essential for attracting clients who specifically want Gridsome.

Create profiles on freelance platforms emphasizing Vue.js and Gridsome skills. Since Gridsome has a smaller market than React frameworks, also highlight your broader Vue.js capabilities.

Consider contributing to Gridsome plugins or creating starter templates. This builds credibility and demonstrates expertise to potential clients.

Start with smaller projects to build experience and reviews. Look for portfolio sites, small business websites, or blog projects before bidding on complex implementations.

Stay aware of the Gridsome ecosystem and Vue.js updates. While Gridsome's development pace has slowed compared to more active frameworks, understanding where it fits in the Vue ecosystem helps you advise clients appropriately.

Income Reality

Income varies based on experience, location, project complexity, and how you find work.

Hourly rates by experience level:

Beginners with basic Gridsome knowledge and limited portfolio might charge $30-$60/hour. These are developers still learning the framework and GraphQL, often taking longer on tasks than experienced developers.

Mid-level developers with 1-2 years Vue.js experience and several Gridsome projects typically charge $60-$100/hour. This is the common range for freelancers who can handle standard Gridsome projects independently.

Senior developers with extensive Vue.js and Gridsome experience, particularly those who can architect complex static sites and integrate multiple data sources, charge $100-$150/hour. These rates are less common since Gridsome specialization is narrower than broader Vue.js work.

Geographic considerations:

US-based developers with Gridsome specialization typically see rates around $80-$130/hour for experienced work, though the market is smaller than for React frameworks.

Eastern European developers commonly charge $40-$80/hour for mid to senior-level Gridsome work.

Latin American developers often charge $35-$70/hour for Vue.js and Gridsome development.

Developers in other regions may charge $25-$50/hour, though rates vary by experience and the client's location.

Project-based pricing:

Many developers charge per project for Gridsome work. A simple portfolio or blog site might be $1,500-$4,000. A more complex site with CMS integration and custom features could be $5,000-$15,000. Complex documentation sites or multi-language implementations might reach $15,000-$25,000+. Accurate scoping is essential to avoid undercharging.

Monthly income potential:

Working part-time (10-20 hours/week) at mid-level rates could bring $1,500-$4,000/month. Full-time freelancing (30-40 hours/week) at similar rates could reach $4,500-$12,000/month. These numbers assume consistent client work, which takes time to establish.

Market reality:

The Gridsome-specific market is smaller than Next.js or Gatsby. You'll often compete against developers using more popular frameworks like Nuxt, which has broader capabilities. Many Gridsome opportunities come from existing Vue.js clients or projects specifically choosing Gridsome for its static site generation and GraphQL approach.

Your actual income depends on finding clients who value Gridsome's specific benefits, delivering quality work, building reputation, and potentially marketing yourself as a Vue.js developer who specializes in static sites rather than purely a Gridsome developer.

Platform fees and taxes reduce take-home pay. Budget for these when calculating actual earnings.

Where to Find Work

Freelance platforms. Upwork, Arc, Toptal, Contra, and Freelancer list Vue.js and static site development jobs. Search for Vue.js work broadly since pure Gridsome listings are rare. Many projects are open to framework choice if you can demonstrate Gridsome's benefits.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Job boards. Check remote job boards for Vue.js contract positions. Many clients are flexible about which Vue framework to use, allowing you to propose Gridsome when it fits.

LinkedIn. Optimize your profile for Vue.js and static site development, share Vue.js content, engage with the Vue community, and let your network know you're available for freelance work.

Direct outreach. Identify businesses or individuals who might benefit from static sites—designers needing portfolios, content creators wanting blogs, companies needing documentation sites. Reach out with your portfolio and explain Gridsome's benefits.

Agency partnerships. Digital agencies working with Vue.js or building static sites sometimes need specialized developers for client projects. Building relationships with agencies can provide steady contract work.

Vue.js communities. Participate in Vue.js communities online. While Gridsome-specific communities are smaller, the broader Vue.js community provides networking opportunities.

Content creation. Writing about Gridsome, creating tutorials, or building Gridsome starters can attract inbound inquiries, though this is a long-term strategy with no guaranteed results.

Referrals. After delivering quality work, ask satisfied clients for referrals. Word-of-mouth becomes increasingly important as you build reputation.

Position yourself strategically. Rather than marketing yourself as only a Gridsome developer, position yourself as a Vue.js developer who specializes in static sites and can use Gridsome, VuePress, Nuxt (static mode), or other Vue-based tools depending on project needs. This broadens your market.

Finding consistent Gridsome-specific work is challenging due to market size. Most successful freelancers maintain broader Vue.js skills and use Gridsome when it's the right tool for the project.

Common Challenges

Limited market size. Gridsome's market is smaller than React frameworks like Next.js or Gatsby. You'll find fewer jobs specifically requesting Gridsome, requiring you to either propose it for Vue.js projects or maintain broader framework knowledge.

Competition from Nuxt. Nuxt is more popular, more actively developed, and can do everything Gridsome does plus server-side rendering and full web applications. Many clients choosing Vue.js frameworks prefer Nuxt's versatility over Gridsome's static-only focus.

Smaller community and resources. Finding solutions to problems, discovering plugins, or getting help is harder with Gridsome than more popular frameworks. You'll rely more on general Vue.js knowledge and problem-solving.

GraphQL learning curve. Many Vue.js developers haven't used GraphQL extensively. Learning GraphQL specifically for Gridsome adds complexity, especially since you might not use GraphQL elsewhere.

Framework development pace. Gridsome's development has slowed compared to actively developed frameworks. This creates uncertainty about long-term support and clients may hesitate to choose a framework with slower updates.

Explaining framework choice. Clients often ask why you're using Gridsome instead of more well-known frameworks. You need to clearly articulate its benefits for specific use cases.

Limited plugin ecosystem. Gridsome has fewer plugins than Gatsby or Next.js. You'll sometimes need to build functionality from scratch that would be a plugin in other frameworks.

Client CMS expectations. Many clients want user-friendly content management. Integrating headless CMSs works, but setting up the full workflow (content editing, preview, deployment) requires more configuration than some competing solutions.

Build time for large sites. Static site generators rebuild entire sites on content changes. Very large sites (hundreds or thousands of pages) can have slow build times, creating friction for content updates.

Scope creep. Clients requesting "simple changes" that actually require significant GraphQL restructuring, component refactoring, or data source reconfiguration happens frequently.

Tips That Actually Help

Master Vue.js first. Don't jump into Gridsome until Vue.js feels comfortable. Weak Vue foundations make Gridsome unnecessarily difficult and limit your broader marketability.

Learn GraphQL fundamentals. Spend time understanding GraphQL beyond just Gridsome's implementation. This knowledge transfers to other frameworks and makes you more versatile.

Build a strong portfolio. Since Gridsome jobs are less common, your portfolio must demonstrate both Gridsome expertise and broader Vue.js skills. Include diverse project types showing different capabilities.

Understand when to recommend Gridsome. Gridsome excels for portfolios, blogs, documentation, and marketing sites. It's not appropriate for applications requiring server-side rendering, authentication, or dynamic functionality. Knowing when to use it builds client trust.

Know competing frameworks. Understand how Gridsome compares to Nuxt, VuePress, and even React frameworks like Gatsby. This helps you choose the right tool and explain trade-offs to clients.

Create reusable components. Build a personal library of Vue components, GraphQL queries, and configuration patterns that work across Gridsome projects. This speeds up future work.

Study Gridsome starters. Analyze well-built starters to learn best practices, component patterns, and plugin usage. This is often better than sparse documentation.

Get comfortable with markdown. Many Gridsome projects use markdown for content. Being efficient with markdown processing, frontmatter, and content organization is valuable.

Learn deployment platforms. Be comfortable with Netlify and Vercel for Gridsome deployment. Understanding build configuration, environment variables, and continuous deployment workflows is essential.

Write clear proposals. When bidding on projects, demonstrate you understand requirements and explain why Gridsome (or another framework) best fits their needs.

Communicate proactively. Update clients regularly on progress. They appreciate knowing project status, especially if issues arise.

Set realistic expectations. Don't oversell Gridsome. Be honest about its limitations and when other tools might be better. This builds long-term client relationships.

Stay current with Vue.js. Since Gridsome development is slower, staying current with Vue.js ecosystem trends, best practices, and new patterns keeps you marketable.

Position yourself broadly. Market yourself as a Vue.js static site specialist rather than purely a Gridsome developer. This opens more opportunities while still leveraging your Gridsome expertise.

Track your time. Even on fixed-price projects, track time to understand pricing accuracy and identify where time goes.

Learning Timeline Reality

If you already know Vue.js:

Expect 4-8 months to become proficient with Gridsome, assuming 10-15 hours of weekly practice. This includes learning GraphQL basics, working through documentation, building multiple projects, and understanding deployment.

Months 1-2 focus on core Gridsome concepts—project structure, page creation, GraphQL queries, basic plugins, and simple deployments. Build a portfolio site or blog using markdown files.

Months 3-4 cover intermediate topics—headless CMS integration, custom plugins, advanced GraphQL queries, image optimization, and more complex site structures. Build a project pulling data from multiple sources.

Months 5-6 emphasize real-world patterns—SEO optimization, performance tuning, build configuration, solving common problems, and understanding framework limitations. Rebuild earlier projects with best practices.

Months 7-8 involve taking on small paid projects, creating starters or plugins, and deepening expertise through actual client work. You're ready for simple projects around month 4-5, but refinement continues.

If you're learning Vue.js and Gridsome together:

Add 3-6 months to learn Vue.js fundamentals first. Learning both simultaneously creates confusion about which concepts belong to Vue vs Gridsome vs GraphQL.

Focus those initial months on Vue.js—components, directives, computed properties, lifecycle hooks, and common patterns. Build several Vue projects before exploring Gridsome.

Once comfortable with Vue, add GraphQL basics before starting Gridsome. Understanding GraphQL independently makes Gridsome's data layer less overwhelming.

These timelines assume consistent practice and building actual projects. Reading documentation without hands-on building won't develop practical skills. Everyone's timeline varies based on prior experience, learning pace, and time investment.

Is This For You?

Gridsome development suits you if you have Vue.js skills and want to specialize in static site generation. However, the market for Gridsome-specific work is limited, so this works best as a specialization within broader Vue.js development rather than your only skill.

This fits well if you enjoy building content-focused websites—portfolios, blogs, documentation, and marketing sites. Gridsome excels in these areas and provides excellent developer experience for these use cases.

You'll appreciate Gridsome if you prefer Vue.js over React. The cleaner syntax and gentler learning curve of Vue compared to React is a genuine advantage for many developers.

Remote work flexibility is a major benefit. Gridsome development happens entirely online, giving you location independence and access to global clients.

However, you need realistic expectations about market size. Gridsome jobs are less common than Next.js, Gatsby, or even Nuxt positions. You'll often need to propose Gridsome for Vue.js projects rather than finding clients specifically requesting it.

You need comfort working independently. Freelancing means solving problems with limited community support and making architectural decisions solo.

If you're completely new to web development, this isn't the starting point. Learn JavaScript and Vue.js first, then consider whether to specialize in Gridsome or use more versatile Vue frameworks like Nuxt.

Consider whether narrow specialization makes sense for you. Gridsome expertise can differentiate you in certain niches (Vue.js portfolios, Vue-based documentation sites), but broader Vue.js skills combined with knowledge of multiple frameworks (Gridsome, Nuxt, VuePress) provides more opportunities.

The financial reality is that building consistent freelance income as a Gridsome specialist takes longer than more popular frameworks. You need financial runway to cover the ramp-up period and flexibility to work on broader Vue.js projects while seeking Gridsome opportunities.

If you have Vue.js skills, enjoy static site development, value the Gridsome approach (GraphQL data layer, automatic optimization, Vue.js syntax), and can position yourself strategically in the market, Gridsome development can be part of a successful freelance portfolio alongside broader Vue.js capabilities.

Note on specialization: While Gridsome is a legitimate framework with real use cases, it operates in a niche market with competition from more actively developed alternatives. Success requires understanding not just Gridsome, but when it's the right choice versus Nuxt, VuePress, or other Vue.js frameworks, and being able to work with multiple tools based on project needs.

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