WordPress or custom code?
We build both, and we'll tell you honestly which fits. It mostly comes down to two questions: who edits the site, and how much speed matters to your business.
Pick the one that fits.
Neither is better in general. Each is better at something.
Choose WordPress if
- You or your staff edit pages often, in a visual editor
- You need a specific plugin: booking, store, membership
- You already have a WordPress site worth keeping
- You want the widest pool of people who can work on it
Choose custom code if
- Speed matters more than anything else
- The site changes a few times a month, not every day
- You'd rather not have plugins to patch and worry about
- You want a site built exactly to your design, with nothing extra
The speed gap is real.
Two sites we run, measured on a phone. One is a large WordPress site after we cleaned it up; the other is custom-coded from the start.
Questions we hear.
Which is faster, WordPress or custom code?
Custom code, by a wide margin, because there's nothing on the page that the page doesn't need. A well-kept WordPress site can still be quick; it just takes more work to stay that way.
Can I edit a custom-coded site myself?
Yes. When you need to, we add a simple editing screen for the parts you change, like news, staff and services, without the rest of WordPress coming along.
Does it cost more?
The monthly plans cost the same either way. Build prices depend on the site, not the platform, and we quote both when both make sense.
Is WordPress less secure?
WordPress itself is fine. The risk is plugins and logins that nobody looks after, which is the part custom code removes.
Keep reading.
Not sure which you need?
Tell us who updates your site and how often. We'll recommend one and tell you why.
