What is Island Architecture? The new concept of creating a faster website

The real problem in life

Have you ever felt why many websites today? "Both beautiful and slow"? We entered the website to find a modern design. With beautiful animation But when pressing the button, scroll to see the product, or do something Instead have to wait ... wait ... and wait Before the web responded Sometimes there is it. This problem is not just annoying, but it is the real "Killer CONVERSION". Especially business owners or marketing teams that invest in beautiful web budgets But in the end, the customer pressed to close because of the slowness Unfortunately losing business opportunities

Prompt for illustrations: The user image is sitting on the chin feet. Looking at the computer screen or mobile phone with boredom. There is a loading symbol on the screen that looks beautiful. To convey the irritability of the web that loaded slowly

Why did that problem occur?

The source of this problem usually comes from traditional web creation architecture (such as Single Page Applications or Spas) that uses the "Hydration" method. In other words, even though we have seen the webpage appear. But behind the browser must download a large JavaScript (JS) file and then "wake up" to the entire webpage and can interact with all users at the same time. Imagine Like we ordered the food to the table, but the chef said, "Must wait for every dish to finish first To start eating. "The result is that most of the webpages are just a message or slide (Static) that doesn't need to use JS at all, but must wait to wait for a small part, such as the keypad or comments that need to be used to download first. Everything is too slow.

Prompt for illustrations: simple infographic images Compared to 2 sides of the left side, "original method", shown in a large Javascript lump Run to find the webpage on the right side, "Island Architecture" shows a still webpage and many small JavaScript lumps run only (Island) that are needed, such as the purchase button, search box.

If left, how will it affect?

Letting the web slow because the old structure has more serious consequences than expected. First of all, the User Experience (UX) is demolished. No one likes to wait. And it leads to a higher bounce rate (people press in and then hurry to press out), which is a bad sign in the eyes of Google. Next is the Core Web Vitals , which is a score that Google uses the quality of user experience on the web. New indicators like Interaction to Next Paint (Inp) will be directly affected. Because it measures the web response speed to click or action of the user If our website loads a large JS and slow work, the inp scores will be low, which in the end All of this will pull your SEO rankings so badly because Google loves the website that is fast and gives a good experience with users.

Prompt for illustrations: The graph shows the SEO ranking. Along with the frowning icon of the user and the bounds rate that has risen To convey negative impacts in business and SEO

Is there any solution? And where should it start?

The good news is that we have a new concept that comes to solve this particular problem: Island Architecture ! This concept was presented and made known by Jason Miller and was widely used in modern framework. Its principle is very easy. Instead of looking at the entire webpage, the application that requires all JavaScript to see that our webpage is like a "ocean" full of HTML, which is still and only "Islands", some of which are Interactive.

Therefore, instead of sending all the JavaScript to users at once We will only send HTML to display immediately. Causing the web to download first and then send JavaScript tiny JavaScript only the "island" that the user is about to interact with This method is called partial hydration or selective hydration. It is a change from "Waiting for everything to be completed" as "only the part that needs to be done", which is the beginning of the most powerful change.

Prompt for illustrations: Ocean map images (Instead of the webpage), most of the static html and small islands are scattered, each of which has a sign written "button to buy", "video", comments "to explain the concept of Island Architecture.

Examples from the real thing that used to be successful

The most obvious example of the use of Island Architecture to be successful is Astro Framework . Astro is created on the philosophy. "Send JavaScript 0KB as the default" (Zero-JS by Default).

When the developers want to interact (such as Image Carousel or Add to Cart), they can announce that part as "Island" and choose to download JavaScript, such as loading immediately (EAGER), when the user will scroll (Visible), or when the user is clicking, the result is a website that is created with a core score. Excellent Web Vitals and clearly providing better user experiences. Which proves that the concept of Islands Architecture is not just theory But is something that really works and creates a remarkable result

Prompt for illustrations: Astro Framework logo in the middle surrounded by icons that represents advantages such as rockets (speed), Core Web Vitals, and users' smiles (Good UX).

If wanting to follow, what to do? (Can be used immediately)

For developers or web owners who want to apply this idea The steps are not as complicated as you think:

1. Analyze your webpage: Looking for which part is Static (just display) and which part is Interactive (must click, fill in, or movement)
2. Choose the right tool: try to study the Framework that is directly built on this architecture, such as ASTRO or QWIK or looking for features in the Framework you are using (such as React Server Components) that allows similar things.
3. Start with a small part: Try to apply to the new LANDING PAGE page or the complicated components first. To understand working principles
4. Focus on the "Lazy" load. Set "Island". Download JavaScript only when really necessary, such as when the user moves the screen close Or when the user breaks on the action (on idle) to download the first webpage as soon as possible

This concept can also be extended to a more complex architecture such as Headless Commerce or even working with new technology like Webasembly to create a web application that is both fast and powerful.

Prompt for illustrations: Checklist with the topic "How to Implement Island Architecture" with 4 easy -to -understand items according to the content above. And have each icon

Questions that people tend to wonder And the answers that are cleared

Is ISland Architecture like Micro-Fronntds?
Not quite the same Micro-Fronntds focuses on "dividing teams". Develop various parts. Of the web freely. The Island Architecture focuses on "JavaScript" method to improve the web loading efficiency. Although both ideas can be used together But has different main goals

Is it necessary to write a whole new website to use this concept?
Not always necessary Although the start of a new project with Framework, ASTRO is the easiest, you can apply the principles to the original website, such as seriously making Code Splying and using Lazy Loading techniques with various components. To get similar results

What kind of website is it suitable for?
Very suitable for websites that focus on content (Content-Heavy Sites) such as blogs, news websites, e-commerce websites, and Marketing websites on most of the webpages are Static, but there are some parts that need an interactive. The use of Island Architecture will help these websites enormous faster.

Really affecting SEO?
Has a direct effect and is very good Page Speed ​​and better Core Web Vitals is an important factor that Google uses to rank these two parts with Island Architecture is like a red carpet to your SEO. And also helps to increase the performance of the Speculation Rules API that helps the web navigation faster

Prompt for illustrations: Image icon, a large question mark (?) And there is a short message box floating around to convey the Q&A.

Summary to be easy to understand + want to try to do

In short, Island Architecture is a change in how to create a web. From the original that has to be loaded everything at the same time Come to create a light and faster website with HTML as a basis and then slowly "wake up". Only the part that needs to respond to life as a "island". Excellent user experience And is loved by Google

Letting your website slow No different from closing the door in front of the customer who is about to walk into the shop. Do not let the opportunity slip away. It's time to pay attention to modern web architecture that emphasizes effectively. Try using this idea to study and apply to your next project. And you will find that the "beautiful and fast" website can create different business results.

If you want to upgrade your website to the next level with the latest technology and the most effective architecture. Take a look at Advanced Webflow Development service . We are ready to be a consultant and help you create outstanding websites and create competitive advantages.

Prompt for illustrations: Bright lamp images In the light bulb, there is a small island map inside with the Call to Action text. "Create a website that is faster than today!" To stimulate it.

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