How a Non-Developer Built a Blog with Jekyll and Mediumish
Can a Non-Developer Use Jekyll Successfully?
When people hear about Jekyll, they often think it’s just for developers. After all, it involves Git, Markdown, YAML, and the terminal. But is it really inaccessible to those without a technical background? Here's my journey—from a beginner who couldn’t even explain what a static site was, to someone now confidently running a fast, beautiful blog with Jekyll and the Mediumish theme.
Why I Wanted to Start a Blog
I’ve always loved writing. I wanted a space to share long-form thoughts, essays, and reading reflections. I initially turned to the obvious choices: WordPress.com and Medium. But I quickly ran into problems that made me feel like blogging wasn’t for me.
Problems I Faced:
Too many ads and distractions on WordPress free plan
Limited control over layout and design
Medium suddenly hid my older posts behind their paywall
Performance was slow and editing was clunky
Discovering Jekyll Through Frustration
I stumbled across Jekyll after googling “minimalist blog with no ads.” I saw articles describing it as a static site generator used by GitHub Pages. It sounded too technical, but something about its simplicity and full ownership appealed to me.
My First Reaction: This Looks Impossible
The first time I opened a Jekyll repository, I had no idea what I was looking at. `_config.yml`? Liquid templates? It was intimidating. But I kept digging and found the Mediumish theme, which looked exactly like the aesthetic I wanted: clean, readable, modern.
How I Got Started as a Complete Beginner
I decided to give myself one weekend to try it. Here’s the step-by-step approach I took—with no prior coding experience.
1. I Forked the Mediumish Repository on GitHub
GitHub makes this process easy with a single button. After forking, I enabled GitHub Pages in the repository settings. Within minutes, my version of the theme was live online.
2. I Edited My First Blog Post in Markdown
I opened the _posts folder and found the example posts. All I had to do was replace the content and keep the front matter at the top. It took a little trial and error, but I eventually understood how the date and slug worked.
3. I Changed the Site Configuration
The hardest part was understanding `_config.yml`, but I found guides that explained it line by line. I updated my blog’s name, email, description, and social media links.
4. I Customized the Theme Colors and Fonts
Mediumish is built with SCSS, but I didn’t touch those files. Instead, I just edited the main CSS to darken the headings and change the font. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked.
5. I Pushed Changes via GitHub Web Editor
I still don’t use Git locally. I just edit posts using GitHub’s web interface and commit changes directly. For a simple writing workflow, this is all I need.
How Jekyll Changed My Blogging Mindset
What surprised me most was how writing became more intentional. With no distractions, no plugins, and no cluttered dashboards, I focused entirely on my content. I didn’t chase metrics, likes, or themes. I just wrote.
Unexpected Benefits
Site loads incredibly fast—even on mobile
Zero cost: hosted free with my own domain on GitHub Pages
No need to “upgrade” anything—everything was already mine
I learned more about the web than any platform had ever taught me
What I Still Struggle With
I won’t pretend everything is perfect. There are challenges, especially early on:
Learning YAML front matter took practice
Liquid tags for pagination or related posts are hard
There’s no built-in comment system (I added Commento)
But none of these are deal-breakers. In fact, they became learning moments. And now, I feel confident enough to help others set up their own blogs.
Advice for Beginners Considering Jekyll
If you’re a writer or creator who’s tired of ads, slow platforms, and the feeling of renting your content—you should try Jekyll. Here’s how to approach it:
Start Small
You don’t have to understand everything. Just fork a theme, publish a post, and build slowly.
Use GitHub’s Web Editor
You don’t need to install Git or Ruby on your machine to get started. GitHub’s interface is enough for most beginners.
Focus on Writing
With no widgets, plugins, or endless options, you’ll find yourself writing more and tweaking less.
Join the Jekyll Community
Reddit, GitHub Discussions, and blogs are full of people willing to help. You’re not alone.
Would I Recommend Jekyll and Mediumish?
Absolutely. Especially if you want a blog that’s fast, ad-free, and fully yours. The learning curve may seem high at first, but it’s not a cliff—it’s a gentle slope with great rewards.
Who It’s Great For:
Writers who want to own their content
Bloggers who value performance and simplicity
Creators who want to learn and grow with their site
Who Should Think Twice:
Those who rely on visual editors or drag-and-drop builders
People who need real-time features like user logins or eCommerce
Final Thoughts
Jekyll gave me the blog I didn’t think I could have: fast, distraction-free, and truly mine. You don’t need to be a developer—you just need curiosity, patience, and a desire to write without compromise. For anyone looking to break free from platform limitations and take full ownership of their content, Jekyll—especially with the Mediumish theme—is a quiet revolution worth joining.