One of the first questions in a website project is what to build it on. The two most common answers are WordPress, the most widely used content management system on the web, and a custom-built site written for your needs. Here is how they compare.
When WordPress makes sense
- You want to edit pages, add blog posts or update products yourself.
- You need an online store: WooCommerce runs on WordPress and is mature and flexible.
- Your needs are common ones, such as galleries, forms, blogs and bookings, which existing plugins already handle.
- You want many developers to be able to work on your site in future.
The trade-off is that WordPress needs regular updates to stay secure, and sites built with heavy themes and many plugins can become slow. A well-built WordPress site uses a light theme and only the plugins it really needs.
When a custom build makes sense
- You need features no plugin handles well, such as a custom quote calculator or a customer portal.
- Speed and performance are a priority and the site changes rarely.
- The website connects closely to your own software or database.
- You want full control over every part of the code.
The trade-off is that changes may need a developer, unless an admin panel is built for the content you edit often.
A quick comparison
| WordPress | Custom-built | |
|---|---|---|
| Editing content yourself | Built in | Needs an admin panel |
| Online store | WooCommerce, ready to use | Built from scratch |
| Speed | Good if built carefully | Usually excellent |
| Unique features | Through plugins or custom code | Anything you need |
| Ongoing upkeep | Regular updates required | Fewer moving parts |
Our advice
For most small and medium businesses that want to update their own content or sell online, a carefully built WordPress site is the practical choice. For sites that are mostly static, need maximum speed, or are tightly linked to custom software, a custom build is often better.
Not sure which fits your project? Tell us what you need and we'll recommend the option that suits your budget and plans.