Saving Data on Neocities Explained

Neocities.org is a static web hosting platform, meaning it does not support server-side features like databases, PHP, or Node.js. However, there are several clever ways to save or export data without a server.

1. Save Data Locally with localStorage

Your browser can store small amounts of data on your computer. This is useful for saving game progress or user preferences on the same device.

Pros: Easy to implement, no server needed.

Cons: Data stays on one device and browser; cannot be shared or synced.

2. Let Users Download a Text File

Using JavaScript, you can let users export their data as a .txt file that they can save anywhere.

Pros: No server required, users control their own files.

Cons: Manual for users; no automatic syncing or cloud storage.

3. Use External Services (Advanced)

You can integrate with third-party services like GitHub API, Google Sheets, or serverless functions (Netlify, Firebase) to store and sync data. These require additional setup and backend services.

Pros: Cloud sync, multi-device support.

Cons: Complex, requires backend/service accounts, not purely static.

4. Email Data to Users

With some backend help (serverless functions, Google Apps Script), you can email data to users. This isn’t directly possible on Neocities but can be combined with other services.

Summary

• localStorage — best for personal, single-device use.
• Download text files — easy export, user-controlled files.
• External APIs — sync and share but complex setup.
• Email — requires backend functions, not native to Neocities.