When choosing a website, the question often comes up: custom or WordPress? The answer is not the same for everyone, so below I compare where each is better. I build custom sites and do not use WordPress, but a fair comparison helps you decide properly.
What WordPress is
WordPress is a content management system that powers a large part of the web. You assemble a site from a theme and plugins and edit content in an admin area. Its strength is that it is well known and many people can work with it.
What custom means
A custom site is written directly in HTML, CSS, JavaScript and, if needed, PHP, without a framework and without a pile of plugins. It contains only what you need, so it is light and fast.
Comparison
- Speed: a custom site has no unnecessary code and usually loads faster. WordPress can be fast, but with more plugins it is typically slower.
- Security: each plugin is another entry point. Less code means fewer chances for errors.
- Maintenance: WordPress needs updates to core, themes and plugins. A custom site does not change by itself.
- Editing content: in WordPress you edit yourself. With a custom site we agree: I can do it, or you get a simple admin for what you actually change.
- Price: a custom presentation site starts at €690. With WordPress the price depends on the theme, plugins and scope.
When to choose WordPress
If you want to edit widely and often yourself, have a blog with several authors or need many ready-made modules, WordPress is a sensible choice.
When to choose a custom site
If you need a presentation site, an online shop with a clear offer or a venue site that must be fast on a phone and rarely changes, a custom site is often better and cheaper in the long run.
For businesses on the coast I build custom sites in Izola, Koper, Piran and Portorož. If you are unsure what you need, describe your project and I will tell you what I would choose in your place.
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