What exactly *is* the Lean Web?

Several years ago, I wrote a gave a talk (which I later converted into a short book) on the Lean Web.

It’s a bit in need of a refresh, but in it, I described the many problems I observed with modern web development best practices. I also spent a bit of time exploring how we got here in the first place.

If I had to sum up modern web development in one sentence, it would be this: JavaScript all the things.

So much of modern web development is built around JavaScript…

We’re sacrificing initial page load performance—our user’s first impression with our site or app—for the hopes of faster page loads later.

I’m not so sure that tradeoff is worth it.

Near the end, I outlined the three principles of the Lean Web:

1. Embrace the Platform.
2. Favor small, modular tools of large, monolithic ones.
3. The Web is for everyone.

Rereading my book, I was expecting to have some new principles for a new era of web development.

But honestly, I think these still hold up! Is there anything you’d change or add?

If you want to learn how to build a simpler, more resilient web, I think you’ll love the Lean Web Club.

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