The evolution of web architecture
The way we build for the web has changed. We’ve moved from simple static sites to complex single-page applications (SPAs), and now we’re seeing a shift back toward a more balanced approach.
At Bitrails, we’ve found that combining the speed of static sites with the interactivity of modern frameworks provides the best experience for both developers and users.
Why Astro?
Astro is a modern web framework designed for building content-focused websites. Its primary goal is performance, which it achieves by shipping zero JavaScript to the client by default.
Astro uses an “Islands Architecture,” which allows us to build the majority of our site as static HTML and only hydrate the specific parts that need interactivity.
Vue islands for interactivity
While Astro handles the structure and content, we use Vue 3 for the interactive “islands” on our site. Vue’s composition API is incredibly powerful and allows us to build complex client-side logic that is easy to maintain.
---
// Example of an Astro component importing a Vue island
import ContactForm from '../components/islands/ContactForm.vue';
---
<section>
<h2>Get in touch</h2>
<!-- This island only hydrates when it becomes visible -->
<ContactForm client:visible />
</section>Performance results
By using this hybrid approach, we’ve been able to achieve Lighthouse scores of 90+ across all categories. Our sites are fast, accessible, and SEO-friendly, providing a solid foundation for our clients’ digital growth.