Can you make a website without a backend?
Yes, you can make a website without any backend system, but the website will be static, you will not be able to store anything, no storing user information, posts, or any form of data. The website will just be comprised of HTML, CSS, and Javascript files.
You can add many features and dynamics to make your website beautiful and attractive using Javascript and CSS, you can even add features to allow users to store data on their computers, but this data will only be available to individual users, and not all your website users.
Whatever the case is, you can still build a fully working website without any backend system. It must be noted though that most modern websites which provide a lot of services to individuals and businesses have a backend system.
WHAT TYPES OF WEBSITES REQUIRE NO BACKEND?
There are some websites that can be built without any need for a backend system. Static websites do not need a backend system and can almost exclusively be written in HTML. Static websites will serve a fixed set of data that renders the same for every website visitor.
Websites that show a set of rules, documentation, landing page, advertisements, count down to an event, a personal portfolio, business showcase, etc. may not need a backend system, such information can be served using only HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
If a website has no need of storing any information in a database, it probably has no need for a backend system, I covered this at length in the article Do all websites need a database?
DO I NEED A BACKEND FOR MY WEBSITE
Any website that needs registration, posting, storage of data, and more will need a backend system. You will need a database like MySQL or MongoDB to store data, you will also need a server-side programming language like PHP, Python, Ruby, etc. for server-side logic.
A well-built backend systems allow websites to carry out a lot of functions that are critical to many people and businesses. If you are interested in using your website to serve a lot of people and businesses, a backend system becomes a necessity.
Examples of websites that need a backend system include E-commerce sites, Blogs, Social Media sites, News sites, sports team sites, and gaming sites just to mention a few. All these sites cannot function without a backend system.
If you are having challenges with implementing a backend system for your website, you can consider using website builders such as Bubble, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, Weebly, and many others. These platforms can help you to make fully working powerful websites with a backend in a short time without writing any line of code.
Using website builders, you can build websites such as blogs, forums, membership sites, E-commerce sites, social media sites, news sites, video platforms, and more.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, you can make a fully working, beautiful, and interactive website without a backend system. As long as your website has no need of storing data and accessing external APIs, you will have no problem building it without a backend system.
