The short answer: For most business websites, which are mainly pages, a blog and enquiry forms, WordPress is a sensible choice. It is quick to launch, easy for you to edit and supported by a huge community. A custom PHP build, using a framework such as Laravel or CodeIgniter, is better when the website must do something special, such as user accounts, bookings with custom rules, dashboards or deep integrations. A website builder is enough for a very small, simple site. The right choice depends on what the site must do, who will update it and how it will grow, not on what is fashionable.
When you plan a website, you will probably hear conflicting advice. One person says, "Use WordPress, it is cheap and easy." Another says, "WordPress is not secure, get a custom website." A third says, "Just use a website builder."
All three can be right, for different businesses. This article explains each option in plain words, compares them side by side, shows when each one fits and lists the questions that will help you decide. You do not need any technical knowledge.
What Are Your Options?
WordPress
WordPress is free, open-source software, written in PHP, for building and managing websites. You install it on your hosting, choose a design (called a theme), and add features with plugins. You edit your pages from a simple dashboard in your browser.
It is very widely used. In November 2015, W3Techs reported that WordPress was running about 25% of all websites among the top 10 million, which was more than half of all the sites it could identify as using a content management system.
Custom PHP
A custom website is written specifically for your business. Developers often use a PHP framework, such as Laravel or CodeIgniter, which provides a proven structure and security features, so they do not have to start from nothing. Laravel's latest release, 5.2, came out in December 2015, and its 5.1 version has long-term support.
You get exactly the features you ask for. You also pay for every one of them to be built and maintained.
Website Builders
Website builders, such as Wix and Weebly, let you build a site by dragging and dropping, and they host it for a monthly fee. They are quick for very small sites, but you work inside the limits of the platform.
WordPress, Custom PHP and Website Builders Compared
| WordPress | Custom PHP | Website builder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to launch | Fast | Slower, depends on features | Fastest |
| Starting cost | Usually lower | Usually higher | Low, with a monthly fee |
| Editing content yourself | Easy | Only if the developer builds an admin area | Very easy |
| Special features | Many plugins, some limits | Almost anything | Limited to what the platform offers |
| Design freedom | High with a good theme or custom design | Complete | Limited by templates |
| Updates and security | You must keep it updated | The developer must keep it secure | Handled by the platform |
| Moving to another provider later | Fairly easy | Easy if you own the code | Often difficult |
| Best for | Company sites, blogs, brochures, small shops | Systems with special workflows | Very small, simple sites |
When WordPress Is the Right Choice
WordPress is a good fit when:
- Your site is mostly pages, a blog, a gallery and contact forms.
- You want to edit your own text and photos without calling a developer.
- You need a small online shop. The WooCommerce plugin handles many products and orders.
- You have a limited budget or a short deadline.
- You want many developers to be able to help you in the future.
Typical examples are company websites, clinics, restaurants, schools, portfolios and news or blog sites.
When Custom PHP Is the Right Choice
A custom build is worth considering when:
- Your business has an unusual workflow that no plugin matches.
- Users need accounts, dashboards and different permissions.
- You need bookings, quotes or pricing with custom rules.
- The site must connect to other systems, such as your accounting, stock or delivery software.
- You expect large amounts of data or heavy traffic.
- The website is the product itself, such as a marketplace, a school management system or an online service.
A custom project needs clear requirements written down first. It costs more at the start, and you will need a developer you can rely on for years.
When a Website Builder Is Enough
A builder can be fine if you need a very small site, such as a few pages and a contact form, and you have no budget for a developer. Be aware of the trade-offs: less control over speed and search engine settings, monthly fees for as long as the site exists, and a move to another platform later usually means rebuilding the site.
The Hybrid Option
You do not always have to choose. Many businesses combine the two:
- WordPress with custom code. A developer builds a custom theme or plugin for the special part, while WordPress handles the pages and blog.
- Two parts. The main website runs on WordPress at yourbusiness.com, and a custom application, such as a customer portal, runs at a separate address such as app.yourbusiness.com.
Myths About WordPress and Custom Websites
- "WordPress is not secure." WordPress itself is updated regularly, and security fixes can be installed automatically. Most hacked WordPress sites are hacked through out-of-date plugins and themes, weak passwords or pirated software.
- "A custom website is automatically more secure." Not necessarily. Custom code can have security holes too, and fewer people have reviewed it. Security depends on the developer and on maintenance.
- "WordPress is only for blogs." It runs company sites, shops and large publications. But a site loaded with dozens of plugins will be slow.
- "Custom code is always faster." Only if it is written well. A well-built WordPress site can be fast, and a badly written custom one can be slow.
- "Free themes and plugins from anywhere are fine." Be very careful with "nulled" themes and plugins, which are paid products shared illegally. They often contain hidden malware that gives attackers access to your site. Buy from the official source or the author.
- "WordPress is free, so my website will cost nothing." The software is free. Hosting, a good theme, plugins, setup, content and maintenance are not.
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
- What must the website do on day one, and what might it need in two years?
- Who will update the content, and how often?
- Do I need special features such as accounts, bookings or custom payments?
- What are my budget and my deadline?
- Who will keep the software updated and make backups?
- Will I own the code, the content, the domain and the hosting account?
- Could another developer take over the project if I need one?
- Is the hosting suitable? Ask the host for current PHP and MySQL versions.
Protect Yourself Whichever You Choose
- Own your accounts. Your domain and hosting should be in your name, as I explain in How to Choose a Domain Name and Web Hosting Without Getting Cheated.
- Get the scope in writing. List the pages, features, content, deadline and price, and what is not included.
- Keep backups and updates in the plan. Ask who does them, how often and at what cost.
- Use HTTPS. Secure your site with a certificate, as described in Why Every Website Should Move to HTTPS.
- Make sure it is mobile-friendly. Google checks this, so test your pages with the steps in Is Your Website Mobile-Friendly?.
- Ask for a handover. At the end you should receive the logins, the files and a short guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress good for a business website?
For most business websites, yes. It handles pages, a blog, forms and a basic shop well, and it lets you update content yourself. The result depends heavily on the quality of the theme, the plugins you choose and how well the site is maintained.
Is WordPress really free?
The WordPress software is free. You still pay for hosting and a domain, and usually for a premium theme or design, some plugins, the setup and ongoing maintenance.
Will a custom website rank better on Google?
Not by itself. Rankings depend on the quality of your content, your site structure, page speed, mobile-friendliness and links from other websites. A well-built WordPress site can rank very well, and a poorly built custom site can rank badly.
Can I move from a website builder or from WordPress later?
Moving from WordPress to a custom site is usually possible, because the content can be exported, though the design has to be rebuilt. Moving away from a website builder is often harder, and you may have to rebuild pages. If you expect to grow, think about this before you start.
How long does each option take?
A simple WordPress site can often be ready in a few weeks. A custom project usually takes longer, depending on how many features it has. A clear scope and prompt feedback from you make a big difference to the timeline.
Which should I choose for an online shop?
For a small shop with a modest number of products, WordPress with WooCommerce is a practical choice. For a large catalogue, special pricing rules or complex integrations, a custom build may fit better. I would look at your products and your orders before deciding.
Not Sure Which Is Right for You?
If you are choosing how to build your website, I can look at what your business needs and recommend an honest option, whether that is WordPress, a custom build or a mix of both. I design and develop websites for businesses and I will explain everything in plain language. Send me a short message about your business and what your website must do.
