WordPress vs Custom Website

This question has no universal answer. It depends on your budget, needs and plans.

WordPress: Pros and Cons

Pros: fast development, huge ecosystem, easy content management, thousands of themes and plugins, large community.

Cons: slower without optimization, vulnerable with outdated plugins, dependency on third parties, plugin bloat.

Custom (Next.js/React): Pros and Cons

Pros: maximum speed, full control, no unnecessary code, excellent SEO foundation, modern stack.

Cons: more expensive to build, developer needed for changes, smaller ecosystem of ready-made solutions.

Comparison

| Criteria | WordPress | Custom | |----------|-----------|--------| | Initial cost | €500-1500 | €1500-5000+ | | Speed (LCP) | 2-4 sec | 0.5-1.5 sec | | SEO | Good (with plugins) | Excellent (native) | | Management | Easy (WP admin) | Developer needed | | Security | Medium (needs care) | High (smaller attack surface) | | Maintenance/mo | €25-100 | €0-50 |

Our Recommendation

For most small businesses, WordPress is an excellent start. For businesses that rely on speed and SEO for revenue, custom is the better investment.

Not sure? Contact us and we'll recommend a solution for your case.

Frequently asked questions

Is a custom website faster than WordPress?

Usually yes. A custom site (Next.js/React) loads only the necessary code. WordPress with 20+ plugins is often slow. But a well-optimized WordPress can also be fast.

Is WordPress cheaper?

For initial build — yes (€500-1500 vs €1500-5000+ for custom). But long-term WordPress has hidden costs: plugins, updates, security, hosting.

Can I manage WordPress myself?

Yes, for basic changes (text, images, new pages). For more complex modifications and updates you'll need a developer.

Is WordPress secure?

With regular updates, quality hosting and minimal plugins — yes. But it's the most attacked platform in the world (43% of all websites). Security requires constant attention.

When should I choose custom?

When speed is critical, you have unique requirements, want full control and are ready to invest more upfront for lower long-term costs.