Building for the Web in 2026

The web has evolved dramatically over the past decade. We have powerful tools, standards that keep improving, and browsers that are more capable than ever. Yet, we sometimes feel more constrained than ever. Why?

The Tool Explosion

We have more tools than we know what to do with. Frameworks, build systems, testing libraries, package managers, and deployment platforms. Each solves a real problem, but together they can create friction that slows us down.

Choosing Simplicity

The best projects I've worked on share a common trait: they start simple. They don't reach for the most powerful tool for a small job. They don't optimize for a future that may never come. They solve today's problem with today's constraints.

Progressive Enhancement

There's wisdom in the idea of progressive enhancement. Start with HTML. Add CSS for presentation. Layer on JavaScript for interactivity. Each layer should improve the experience without breaking it.

This philosophy creates resilient websites that work everywhere, load faster, and degrade gracefully when something breaks.

Speed Matters

Every millisecond counts. Users notice delay. They notice bloat. They prefer speed over features. The fastest feature is no feature at all—if you can solve a problem with CSS instead of JavaScript, you've usually won.

Looking Forward

The web will keep evolving. Our job is to stay grounded in fundamentals while embracing the new capabilities that make our work easier and our websites better. The technology serves the users, not the other way around.