1. Algolia

Many consider search functionality to be one of the biggest challenges in a static site. Their concern is valid—search is a dynamic feature, and seamlessly adding and making it work in a static site is no easy task.

The ability to search for a query and see results immediately is feasible when supported by a server and a database in the backend. However, we're talking about a JAMstack site here, which is not only serverless but merely a collection of static HTML files on a CDN.

There are several services available that can render robust search functionality in your JAMstack website. One such feature-rich API that creates a stunning search experience is Algolia. Algolia is a hosted search engine that delivers real-time search results from the first keystroke.

Why choose Algolia?

There are several other reasons why you should consider Algolia.

• One of them is its super-fast response time. This API responds in just milliseconds because they have data centers across the globe.
• Besides, it also provides an optimized user experience for the autocomplete feature.
• Algolia requires very little maintenance, and even if you have questions or issues with the API, there's a support team that resolves your problems in no time.
• The best part is that it's super easy to configure and customize according to your search requirements.
• Algolia is also language-agnostic, meaning you can type in any language and still get results.

2. Auth0

Have you ever accessed an application that stores user data from social media networks like Facebook? Then chances are, you've encountered some form of authentication.

Authentication is crucial to ensure the security of stored data in any modern web application. However, setting up a comprehensive authentication service from scratch is a daunting process due to the massive technical overhead involved. Fortunately, services like Auth0 make your life easier by offering a cloud-based identity management service. Like the other services in this list, it allows you to spend more time building the frontend part of your application rather than spending long hours on building technically complex elements like authentication.

Why choose Auth0?

• The Auth0 service allows a developer to add authentication to any web application in just a few minutes. All you have to do is write a few lines of code, and your app is integrated with Auth0 in any framework of your choice.
• This service is highly flexible and includes various pre-built authentication techniques, making it even easier for developers.
• Moreover, it offers the ability to fully customize the process to your requirements, especially if you need to build it from an internal provider.
• Finally, extensive documentation is available on their official website with numerous examples and tutorials to quickly and easily set up the API.

It's no wonder that Auth0 has earned a spot in this list of top services for a JAMstack site.

3. Cloudinary

Nowadays, you've probably noticed that JAMstack is a framework heavily focused on the frontend, where developers primarily concentrate on user experience and aesthetics. For such websites, media elements like images and videos play a crucial role. However, every developer will tell you that handling media on the web can be quite a task, especially when it comes to efficient delivery and optimization. To make matters worse, many developers struggle with determining the ideal quality or format for different sites. This is where an external API like Cloudinary can step in to manage all your website's image needs.

Cloudinary handles the entire process from uploading images to their cloud and intelligently optimizing them for optimal performance. These optimized images are delivered via a CDN, adding an extra layer of performance without compromising image quality.

Not only does Cloudinary transform or manipulate images, but it also handles videos to ensure they fit seamlessly with your website's graphic design. Its Dynamic Media Platform can automate various media management components, saving you the effort of building them yourself and making your life easier. Like Auth0, Cloudinary provides an extensive collection of documentation on its website, making it straightforward to integrate with your JAMstack site and get up and running quickly.

4. Basin

Handling form submissions can be a tricky task in most static sites. You need to serialize them, store them, and send the data when necessary. There are various free form builders like Google Forms that you can integrate with your site. The only issue — embedding it in your site defeats the purpose of a ready-to-use API that can save you time and effort.

One of your best options is using Basin Forms, which is an excellent service for integrating forms into your JAMstack site. It's not only powerful but also extremely easy to configure without needing a single line of server-side code.

Why choose Basin?

• Security: Stored data is fully secure with 256-bit encryption.
• Flexibility: Basin offers unparalleled flexibility to manage your forms, including adding your own custom logo and choosing your preferred form colors from a wide palette.
• Automated Workflows: Basin's unique selling point (USP) lies in its ability to automate form data forwarding through workflows without requiring any code.
  
  

5. Netlify functions

Ask any developer about the most exciting aspect of JAMstack, and 9 out of 10 will say it's serverless functions. Function as a Service (FaaS), as the name suggests, allows you to add any desired functionality to your JAMstack site. It provides extensive flexibility to build almost anything without worrying about server requirements. What's more, you're not charged when you're not using it, as it operates on a subscription-based model.

Netlify Functions is one of the FaaS services that is ideal for you if you're using Netlify to host your JAMstack website. This is because it offers the advantage of centralized billing along with your hosting.

Typically, the Netlify Functions service enables you to deploy AWS Lambda functions without needing an AWS account yourself. Instead, the functions are directly managed by Netlify. Moreover, all functions are version-controlled and deployed alongside the rest of your Netlify site. You also benefit significantly from Netlify Functions handling service discovery automatically via its built-in API gateway.

6. Snipcart

Have you ever considered turning your static site into an e-commerce site to sell your products? Have you held back due to the complexity involved?

If your site is built on the JAMstack framework, you have nothing to worry about, all thanks to Snipcart. It's one of the easiest solutions for a shopping cart that allows even a novice developer to set up an e-commerce website within minutes. All you need is an HTML markup added to your existing site.

Snipcart is ideal for your e-commerce needs because it handles payment processing, shipping cost calculation, and order management. In short, it provides everything you need to maintain an e-commerce website. You just need to add two lines of code to your site, and you can start selling products immediately. It even connects with payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc., to meet your payment requirements.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored some of the best services for a JAMstack site that can make your JAMstack site more dynamic without worrying about scalability and performance. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are numerous other top services to explore and use to make your life easier when building your next JAMstack website.