Jekyll Website Development

TL;DR

What it is: Building static websites using Jekyll, a Ruby-based framework that transforms plain text into fast, secure websites. You create sites that load quickly, cost less to host, and integrate seamlessly with GitHub Pages for free hosting.

What you'll do:

• Set up Jekyll projects and configure site architecture
• Create or customize themes using Liquid templating
• Build sites for portfolios, blogs, documentation, and landing pages
• Migrate content from WordPress or other platforms to Jekyll
• Deploy sites to GitHub Pages, Netlify, or other hosting platforms

Time to learn: 2-4 months if you know HTML/CSS/JavaScript and practice 5-10 hours weekly. Add 1-2 months if you're new to command-line tools and Git.

What you need: Web development basics (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), comfort with terminal commands, Git knowledge, and willingness to learn Liquid templating and basic Ruby concepts.

What This Actually Is

Jekyll website development means building static websites using Jekyll, an open-source framework that generates HTML files from content files and templates. Unlike WordPress or traditional content management systems that build pages dynamically when visitors arrive, Jekyll compiles everything beforehand into plain HTML files.

Static sites built with Jekyll are just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files served directly to visitors. There's no database to query, no server-side code to execute, and no complex backend to maintain. This makes them faster, more secure, and significantly cheaper to host than database-driven websites.

Jekyll was created by GitHub's co-founder and remains the most popular static site generator largely due to its deep integration with GitHub Pages. Any Jekyll site can be hosted free on GitHub Pages, which automatically rebuilds your site whenever you push changes. This makes Jekyll particularly attractive for developers, open-source projects, and budget-conscious clients.

You're working as a specialized web developer who knows when static sites make sense and how to implement them with Jekyll. Part of the job is recognizing which projects fit Jekyll's strengths and which need different solutions.

What You'll Actually Do

Project work starts with understanding client requirements and determining if Jekyll fits their needs. You'll discuss their content strategy, update frequency, required features, and budget. Some projects need dynamic functionality that Jekyll can't provide alone, while others are perfect candidates for static generation.

Most projects involve either customizing existing Jekyll themes or building custom ones from scratch. You'll work with Liquid, Jekyll's templating language, to create layouts for different page types like home pages, blog posts, portfolio items, and documentation pages. This means writing HTML with template logic for loops, conditionals, and data processing.

Content structure planning is a significant part of the work. You'll organize content using Markdown files with YAML front matter for metadata. You'll set up collections for different content types, configure taxonomies for categories and tags, and create data files for things like navigation menus or team member listings.

Migration projects are common and can be lucrative. You'll move existing WordPress blogs, documentation sites, or other content to Jekyll. This involves exporting content, converting formats, restructuring for Jekyll's conventions, setting up URL redirects, and thorough testing to ensure nothing breaks.

Theme development requires front-end skills. You'll implement responsive designs, optimize images and assets, ensure accessibility standards, and create maintainable CSS and JavaScript. Many Jekyll developers use tools like Sass for styling and integrate build processes for asset optimization.

Plugin integration and customization extends Jekyll's functionality. You'll use existing plugins for features like SEO optimization, sitemaps, RSS feeds, or search functionality. For advanced projects, you might write custom plugins in Ruby to add unique features.

Deployment and hosting setup rounds out most projects. While GitHub Pages is the simplest option, you'll also work with Netlify, Vercel, Cloudflare Pages, or traditional web hosts. This includes setting up continuous deployment from Git repositories, configuring custom domains, SSL certificates, and build settings.

Documentation and client training ensures clients can maintain their sites. You'll create guides for adding blog posts, updating pages, or making simple changes. Some clients want complete control, others prefer ongoing maintenance contracts where you handle updates.

Skills You Need

Web development fundamentals are non-negotiable. You must be comfortable with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Jekyll outputs HTML that you'll style and enhance with scripts. You don't need expert-level skills, but you should be able to read, write, and debug all three languages confidently.

Command-line proficiency is essential since Jekyll is a terminal-based tool. You'll constantly run commands to create projects, start local servers, build sites, and troubleshoot issues. If terminals make you nervous, spend time getting comfortable before starting Jekyll work.

Git version control is required for professional Jekyll development. Most projects live in Git repositories, and deployment platforms watch these repos for changes to trigger rebuilds. You need to know how to commit, push, pull, work with branches, and resolve basic merge conflicts.

Liquid templating is Jekyll-specific but relatively straightforward to learn. You'll use it to create templates with variables, loops, filters, and control flow. The syntax is similar to other templating languages, and Jekyll's documentation covers it thoroughly.

Understanding Ruby helps but isn't strictly required for basic Jekyll work. You need Ruby installed to run Jekyll, and you'll use gems and bundlers for dependency management. For custom plugin development, you need actual Ruby programming knowledge, but many developers work successfully with Jekyll knowing only the basics.

Web hosting and deployment knowledge helps you make smart decisions for clients. You should understand static hosting versus traditional hosting, DNS configuration, build processes, environment variables, and how to troubleshoot deployment failures.

Responsive design principles matter since clients expect sites that work everywhere. You'll create layouts that adapt to different screen sizes, optimize images for various devices, and ensure typography and interactive elements function well on mobile and desktop.

Content strategy thinking makes you more valuable than technical-only developers. Understanding information architecture, content organization, navigation design, and how users consume content helps you build more effective sites rather than just technically correct ones.

Getting Started

Install Ruby and Jekyll on your computer following the official installation guide for your operating system. Windows users might find setup more challenging than Mac or Linux users. Don't skip this foundation—a properly configured environment prevents countless frustrations later.

Work through Jekyll's Step by Step Tutorial completely. This official tutorial walks you through building a small site from scratch, teaching core concepts like layouts, includes, data files, and collections. Following it closely gives you solid foundational understanding.

Pick a simple first project to build. A personal blog or portfolio site works well. Choose an existing Jekyll theme from the Jekyll Themes directory and customize it. This teaches you how themes work, how to override defaults, and how Jekyll's file structure functions before you build themes from scratch.

Study Jekyll's documentation systematically. The docs are comprehensive and well-organized. Focus on understanding front matter, Liquid templating, layouts and includes, collections, and configuration options. These concepts form the foundation you'll use constantly.

Build three to five practice sites with increasing complexity. Start with a basic blog, then try a portfolio with multiple content types, then a documentation site with navigation hierarchies. Each project should challenge you slightly beyond your current comfort level.

Set up a Jekyll site on GitHub Pages to understand the integration. Create a repository, configure it for GitHub Pages, and push a Jekyll site. Understanding this free hosting option makes you valuable to budget-conscious clients and open-source projects.

Learn one headless CMS integration for clients who want visual content management. Netlify CMS, Forestry, CloudCannon, or Sanity integrate with Jekyll to provide editing interfaces for non-technical users. Pick one and build a demo project to understand the setup process.

Create a portfolio website showcasing your Jekyll work. Build it with Jekyll itself to demonstrate your skills. Include case studies explaining your approach, technical decisions, and results for each project. Your portfolio is your primary marketing tool.

Income Reality

Jekyll development income varies based on project complexity, your skill level, client type, and how you find work. These observations reflect market rates but aren't guaranteed earnings.

Basic website projects typically pay $500-$1,500. These include simple blogs, personal portfolios, or small business sites with a few pages. Clients want professional-looking sites without ongoing server costs. Projects usually involve theme customization, content setup, and basic configuration. Expect these to take 1-2 weeks depending on design complexity and client responsiveness.

Theme customization work ranges from $300-$1,000. Someone has an existing Jekyll site but wants layout changes, different styling, new features, or bug fixes. These are shorter projects, often completed in a few days to a week, but require solid understanding of Jekyll's templating and theme structure.

Migration projects from WordPress or other platforms to Jekyll can pay $1,500-$4,000. These involve content export and conversion, restructuring for Jekyll conventions, implementing new designs, setting up redirects for SEO preservation, and thorough testing. Clients choosing migration usually have performance concerns, want lower hosting costs, or prefer simpler maintenance. Expect 2-4 weeks for complete migrations.

Custom theme development commands $2,000-$5,000 for fully custom, responsive themes built to specific design requirements. These projects require strong front-end skills, deep Jekyll knowledge, and attention to detail. Timeline is typically 2-4 weeks depending on design complexity and feature requirements.

Documentation sites for developer tools, APIs, or technical products pay $1,500-$4,500. Tech companies and open-source projects value Jekyll for documentation because it's fast, version-controlled, and developer-friendly. These projects need clear information architecture, search functionality, and often version switching capabilities.

GitHub Pages setup and optimization projects pay $300-$800. Many developers or companies want help setting up their GitHub Pages site, configuring custom domains, or optimizing existing setups. These are smaller projects but can lead to ongoing relationships.

Ongoing maintenance retainers exist but are less common with static sites. Some clients pay $200-$600 monthly for content updates, feature additions, theme updates, and technical support. These relationships typically develop after successful initial projects.

Hourly rates for Jekyll developers on freelance platforms range from $25-$75 depending on experience, portfolio quality, and client budgets. However, most Jekyll work is priced per project rather than hourly since scope is usually well-defined.

Monthly income potential depends on project volume and pricing. Someone completing two $1,500 projects monthly earns $3,000. Three smaller $800 projects also yields $2,400. The math is straightforward, but maintaining consistent client flow requires ongoing marketing efforts.

Geographic location affects rates less since this work is fully remote. However, clients in the US, Canada, and Western Europe typically have larger budgets than clients in other regions. Your rates should reflect your skill level and value provided more than your physical location.

The income ceiling for Jekyll-only work is moderate compared to full-stack development. Developers who combine Jekyll with other skills like React, API development, or design earn significantly more. Others scale income by building agencies rather than working solo.

Where to Find Work

Freelance platforms list Jekyll projects though less frequently than WordPress or general web development. Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr occasionally post Jekyll-specific work. Search for "Jekyll developer," "static site generator," or "GitHub Pages" to find relevant projects. Set up saved searches and alerts so you see new postings quickly.

Arc, Toptal, and specialized developer platforms connect companies with freelance Jekyll developers. These platforms typically vet developers more carefully and often pay better than general freelance marketplaces. The application process is more involved but can lead to higher-quality clients.

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.

Remote job boards sometimes list Jekyll projects. Check We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and AngelList for static site or Jamstack positions. Many are full-time roles, but contract and freelance opportunities appear regularly.

GitHub itself provides opportunities. Search GitHub for Jekyll repositories, particularly those with open issues or recent activity. Some projects need contributors, and demonstrating expertise by helping open-source projects can lead to paid work from companies behind those projects.

Developer communities on Reddit, Discord, and forums offer networking opportunities. Participate in Jekyll discussions, answer questions, and share your work. Some people find clients directly through these communities or through referrals from other developers.

Direct outreach to businesses with slow websites or high hosting costs can generate leads. Identify potential clients, explain how Jekyll could solve their specific problems, and offer free site audits or consultations. This approach requires more effort but often pays better than platform work.

Content creators and bloggers represent an ideal target market. Many run WordPress blogs but don't need dynamic features and would benefit from Jekyll's speed and simplicity. Research active bloggers in specific niches and pitch migration services highlighting faster load times and lower costs.

Digital agencies occasionally subcontract Jekyll work. Reach out to web development agencies explaining your Jekyll expertise. When they encounter projects requiring static sites or have clients requesting GitHub Pages integration, you become their specialist resource.

Open-source projects and non-profits often need Jekyll help. Many use Jekyll for documentation or project sites but lack in-house expertise. These projects might not pay as much as commercial work, but they build your portfolio and reputation in the community.

Your professional network matters more than most developers expect. Tell former colleagues, friends in tech, and professional contacts about your Jekyll services. Personal referrals often convert to clients more easily than cold outreach since trust already exists.

Common Challenges

Finding clients specifically seeking Jekyll is harder than finding general web development work. Most small business owners haven't heard of Jekyll or static site generators. You'll spend time educating prospects about static sites, which can slow your sales cycle. Learning to communicate technical benefits in business language helps overcome this.

Ruby installation and dependency management frustrates many beginners. Getting Ruby, gems, and Jekyll properly installed—especially on Windows—can be complicated. Version conflicts between system Ruby and project requirements cause headaches. Using version managers like rbenv or RVM helps, but adds another layer of complexity.

Build times become problematic for large sites. Jekyll's build speed is slower than competitors like Hugo. Sites with thousands of pages or complex plugin chains can take minutes to rebuild. This impacts local development speed and deployment time. You'll need strategies for optimization or might recommend alternatives for very large sites.

Content management expectations don't align with Jekyll's file-based approach. Clients expect WordPress-like admin panels for content editing. Jekyll stores content in Markdown files committed to Git, which non-technical clients find intimidating. Integrating headless CMS solutions addresses this but adds complexity and sometimes cost.

Debugging Liquid template errors can be frustrating. Error messages aren't always clear about what went wrong or where. You'll spend time hunting for typos in front matter, template logic errors, or configuration issues that break builds. Building sites incrementally and testing frequently helps catch issues early.

Plugin ecosystem limitations appear in complex projects. While Jekyll has many plugins, the ecosystem is smaller than WordPress. Some functionality requires custom plugin development in Ruby or integrating third-party services. Managing client expectations about what's possible with available plugins prevents scope creep.

GitHub Pages restrictions limit plugin usage for free hosting. GitHub Pages only supports a whitelist of approved plugins for security reasons. This means many useful plugins won't work on GitHub Pages, requiring alternative hosting or workarounds. Understanding these limitations before promising free hosting to clients prevents problems.

Dynamic functionality requires external services. Forms, comments, search, and user authentication don't work natively on static sites. You'll integrate services like Formspree for forms, Disqus for comments, or Algolia for search. Each integration adds complexity, potential cost, and dependencies on third-party services.

Competition from newer frameworks like Next.js and 11ty means Jekyll isn't the only option. Some developers prefer alternatives with different features or philosophies. You need to articulate why Jekyll fits specific use cases rather than claiming it's always the best choice.

Keeping current with Jekyll updates and the Jamstack ecosystem requires ongoing learning. While Jekyll is mature and stable, new versions add features and sometimes change behavior. The broader web development landscape evolves quickly, and staying relevant means continuous learning.

Tips That Actually Help

Master Jekyll's documentation before taking client work. The official docs are thorough and well-organized. Understanding how Jekyll actually works—its build process, file structure, and templating logic—saves countless hours debugging mysterious issues later. Don't cobble together knowledge from random blog posts.

Build a starter template with your preferred setup. Include your typical file structure, build configuration, commonly used includes and layouts, and deployment setup. Starting each project from a proven foundation is faster and more reliable than building from scratch every time.

Create a library of reusable components and code snippets. You'll implement the same features repeatedly—navigation menus, blog post listings, contact forms, social sharing buttons. Having tested code ready to adapt speeds up project work significantly and reduces bugs.

Learn one headless CMS deeply rather than superficially knowing several. Whether it's Netlify CMS, Forestry, CloudCannon, or Sanity, knowing one inside and out makes you efficient and confident. This expertise adds significant value for clients who need content management interfaces.

Use GitHub Pages for appropriate projects but know its limitations. The free hosting is compelling, but plugin restrictions and build constraints make it unsuitable for complex sites. Have alternative hosting options ready like Netlify or Vercel for projects that need full Jekyll capabilities.

Set up local development environments that match production closely. Use the same Ruby version, Jekyll version, and plugin versions locally that you'll use in production. This prevents "works on my machine" problems that waste time during deployment.

Test thoroughly before launching. Check all links, test forms and interactive elements, verify analytics tracking, ensure proper redirects for migrated content, and test on multiple devices and browsers. Static sites are easier to test than dynamic sites since they don't have database states to manage.

Create detailed documentation for clients. Non-technical clients need clear guides for adding blog posts, updating content, or making simple changes. Good documentation reduces support requests and empowers clients to manage their sites confidently. Include screenshots and step-by-step instructions.

Price based on value delivered, not just hours worked. A Jekyll site that saves a client $50 monthly in hosting costs, loads three seconds faster, and requires no security updates provides ongoing value beyond your build time. Frame pricing conversations around business benefits.

Build relationships with designers who don't code. They have clients needing implementation work but lack development skills. Partnering where they handle design and you handle Jekyll development benefits both parties. These referral relationships can provide steady work.

Participate actively in one or two Jekyll communities. Helping others reinforces your knowledge, builds reputation, and sometimes leads to client referrals. Contributing to Jekyll itself or popular themes demonstrates expertise publicly.

Track your actual time on projects even when charging per project. Understanding how long different tasks take improves future estimates, helps identify inefficiencies in your process, and reveals your true hourly rate. Many developers undercharge because they don't track time accurately.

Learning Timeline Reality

Learning Jekyll well enough for freelance work typically takes 2-4 months if you already understand web development fundamentals and practice 5-10 hours weekly. This assumes you're comfortable with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and basic command-line usage.

If you're newer to web development, add 2-3 months to learn prerequisite skills first. You need solid HTML and CSS knowledge before Jekyll-specific concepts make sense. Trying to learn everything simultaneously usually leads to frustration and confusion.

The first month focuses on Jekyll basics. You'll install Jekyll and Ruby, understand project structure and file organization, learn Liquid templating fundamentals, work with layouts and includes, and deploy simple sites. Build 2-3 basic sites following tutorials to cement these concepts.

Months two and three involve deeper learning. You'll develop custom themes from scratch, understand collections and data files, work with plugins and advanced templating, integrate headless CMS options, and optimize build processes and deployment. Build increasingly complex projects that push your skills.

Month four and beyond is refinement and specialization. You'll learn advanced optimization techniques, develop faster workflows with starter templates, specialize in specific project types or industries, and build business skills for finding and managing clients. You're ready for professional work though you'll learn continuously from projects.

This timeline works with consistent practice. Sporadic learning stretches the timeline significantly. Building actual projects rather than just following tutorials accelerates learning since you'll encounter and solve real problems.

Your first client projects will take longer than later ones. By your third or fourth project, you'll work significantly faster as you internalize patterns, build your component library, and develop efficient workflows.

Factors that accelerate learning include previous experience with other static site generators, strong HTML/CSS/JavaScript foundation, comfort with command-line tools and Git, and learning through building diverse projects. Factors that slow learning include only watching tutorials without building, attempting overly complex projects too early, and not reading official documentation.

This is an estimate based on typical learning patterns, not a guarantee. Your timeline depends on prior experience, time dedicated to practice, how effectively you learn, and how quickly you grasp new concepts.

Is This For You

Jekyll development fits you if you enjoy working with modern web technologies and appreciate elegant, simple solutions over complex systems. You should like problem-solving, feel comfortable with code and terminal commands, and not mind reading documentation when stuck.

This works well if you want remote, flexible work. Most Jekyll projects don't require specific working hours—you just need to deliver quality work by deadlines. This makes it compatible with other commitments, different time zones, or non-traditional schedules.

You'll do well if you can explain technical concepts simply. Much of the job involves helping clients understand why static sites benefit their specific situation. Strong communication skills and ability to translate technical jargon into business language matter as much as coding abilities.

This isn't ideal if you prefer visual, drag-and-drop development. Jekyll is code-focused and file-based. You'll spend time writing templates, editing Markdown files, and working in text editors rather than clicking through visual interfaces. If you hate touching code, choose a different path.

Skip this if you dislike learning new things regularly. Web development and the Jamstack ecosystem evolve constantly. Jekyll itself updates regularly with new features and sometimes breaking changes. Staying current and relevant requires ongoing learning throughout your career.

This might not work if you need immediate income. Building skills to a professional level takes 2-4 months, then finding your first clients takes additional time. You won't earn meaningful money in the first few months. Have alternative income while learning.

Consider whether you're genuinely interested in static sites and modern web architecture. If this technology excites you intellectually, you'll push through learning challenges and frustrations. If you're only here for money, you'll likely burn out when things get difficult.

Jekyll development can provide solid supplementary income or even full-time work for skilled developers, but it requires both technical skills and business hustle. The market is smaller than WordPress but growing, particularly among developers, tech companies, and clients who prioritize speed, security, and simplicity over dynamic features.