For years, I’ve built digital experiences for others—now, I’m creating something for myself: jamesfmcgrath.org.
This site is more than just a blog. It’s a personal space where I can share my thoughts on front-end development, Drupal, web performance, AI, and the future of the open web. I wanted a platform that puts me in control of my content—free from the constraints of social media algorithms. The web was meant to be open, and I believe in fostering meaningful discussions outside of walled gardens.
Why WordPress (For Now)?
I chose WordPress to get up and running quickly. It’s been a while since I worked with it, and I wanted to see how much the block editor and modern features have evolved. Sometimes, launching fast is more important than overengineering a solution from day one.
That said, I’m also experimenting with Drupal and Hygraph to explore different approaches to content management. As someone who works with Drupal professionally, I wanted to compare the experience and assess the strengths of each platform for various use cases.
Choosing the Right Tech for the Job
Every project has different needs, and the right technology depends on the goals. For this project, my considerations were:
✔ Speed & Simplicity: WordPress made sense for a quick launch.
✔ Flexibility & Future Growth: Drupal is my go-to for complex, scalable projects.
✔ Headless & API-first Approaches: Hygraph intrigues me for structured content and GraphQL-driven architectures.
This experimentation reflects a broader shift in how I approach my work and think about the web.
Exploring No-Code & Lowering Barriers to the Digital World
One of my goals with this project was to understand the world of no-code tools better. While I have a strong front-end and Drupal background, I wanted to experience building and launching something quickly—using the same tools that non-developers rely on to establish their digital presence.
WordPress allowed me to assemble everything without getting lost in technical complexity. This reinforced the value of accessible tools that let people create, share, and publish without deep coding knowledge. No-code solutions open doors for those without a technical background, making the web more inclusive.
At the same time, I wanted to compare this experience to using Drupal. While Drupal requires more setup and expertise, it provides greater flexibility and long-term scalability. By working with both, I can better understand the trade-offs—when a no-code approach makes sense and when a developer-focused CMS is the better choice.
Ultimately, this project has been a reminder that technology should serve the goal, not vice versa. The best way to start is to start—then refine, optimize, and scale as needed.
What I’ll Be Writing About
✔ Modern front-end techniques
✔ Deep dives into Drupal & decoupled architectures
✔ AI’s evolving role in web development
✔ Open-source, digital rights, and the future of the web
✔ …and whatever sparks curiosity
This is just the beginning. If you’re interested in where the web is going—and how we can shape it together—join me.
Leave a Reply