According to TechCrunch, there will be 6.1 billion individuals with smartphones worldwide by 2025. So what should you do now? Should you go for a custom website for your business or develop a WordPress website? It takes some forethought and decision-making to launch a brand-new website. However, you'll need to choose between developing a personalized website for your company and using a premade platform like WordPress.
On the other hand, WordPress is popular among businesses because it enables them to launch a fresh website with minimal outlay in terms of both time and money. Is this really the greatest option, though? In this blog, we'll see in between a WordPress vs Custom Website’s battle which firm of the website is best fit for your business’s online growth.
What Is A WordPress Website?
If you’ve ever come across the world of websites, then there are chances that you might have heard the name “WordPress”. Well, it’s not just popular, it’s the most widely used content management system in the world. According to Google, about 30% of all websites are built using WordPress, and trust us, that is not just a random number. Because from most of the business to major blogs sites, WordPress has been making its mark in the competition.
The reason for the popularity of WordPress is its super flexibility, as there is a massive library of themes, layouts and plugins that let you customize your website however you want to! WordPress is perfect for you, if you want to showcase your or run an online photography store, and not just that, WordPress allows you to tweak your website’s content, while adding new features in it.
What Is A Custom Website?
A custom website is built from the ground up using the appropriate programming languages. These sites are built by experts who are flexible enough to adapt to the specific needs of each client. Nothing is used, not even a template. Everything is created in a novel manner, with novel concepts. Some of the languages that may be used by the web design company to develop the website are PHP, ASP, Python, Laravel, JavaScript, or Ruby.
According to a survey by INC.com, a total of 75% of customers judge the credibility of a business by its web design. And you still think your business can turn hundreds into thousands without a website?
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Which Kinds Of Websites Are Made From WordPress Websites?
When WordPress first came onto the scene, it was designed with one simple goal in mind, and it was to help people create blog posts, and it did that really well! But over the years, WordPress has grown into something much bigger, now it’s a full-blown website builder tool. It’s no longer just about blogs anymore, with WordPress you can create any website you can imagine.
One of the things that makes WordPress so versatile is how user-friendly it is. The reason behind this is that you don’t need to be a tech wizard to make your website look amazing. With a wide range of themes and plugins, you can create a site that looks professional and functions perfectly. You can make a blog, a business website, a portfolio, or even an e-commerce store.
Which Kinds Of Websites Are Made From Custom Websites?
These days, a lot of people and businesses are opting for custom web design to create websites that are totally their own. Well, there is a valid reason to go for a custom website, as it allows you to create something unique, something that feels just right for their brand, style, and goals. With a custom design, everything is perfect, from the visuals to the features.
Take corporate websites, for example, they often use custom designs to create a professional, polished look that makes a solid first impression. Then, there are e-commerce websites, which benefit from custom features like unique product pages, smooth checkout processes, and eye-catching layouts that keep shoppers hooked.
And let’s not forget nonprofits and educational websites, as they use custom designs to tell their stories, engage their audiences, and make things like donations or course modules super easy to navigate. And even personal blogs can shine with a custom look that shows off the blogger’s personality.
A Clear Comparison Between WordPress vs Custom Websites
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1. Scalability
Since WordPress is open-source, anyone has the authority to add plugins to it. WordPress has many free plugins like Yoast SEO, Elementor, WooCommerce, PushEngage, and SearchWP, and who can forget Google Analytics? However, some may ask you to dig deep in your pockets. Though, freemium plugins predominate.
When we talk about WordPress vs Custom Website, WordPress is more flexible than other website systems. But themes and templates limit you. Coding may be required for highly custom functions. Conversely, custom-coded websites are completely flexible. Depending on your business, one can add any characteristic, design, or functionality. And did you know? As per a survey by ImpactPlus, business losses around 60% of its users if the business website is poorly designed!
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2. Security And Functionality
WordPress plugins offer versatility, but their external coding may make the website less safe. Hackers sometimes steal data from WordPress sites. Though with the integration of SSL encryption and HTTPS help prevent your site from coming under the headline of CloudFlare cyberattack.
WordPress websites are fast, safe, and user-friendly. Whereas custom websites are coded for great UX, but WordPress can be improved easily. However, custom websites come with higher page loading speeds and have superior UX than websites built with WordPress.
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3. Cost
Do you know that most companies place a premium on minimizing expenses? Because costs for a WordPress site will vary according to factors such as the site's size and whether or not the theme is free or premium. In comparison to hiring a web developer to create a unique website, these prices are still quite reasonable.
Though WordPress premium themes cost an average of $99 per year. While premium web hosting from a provider like Siteground costs roughly $300 per year. However, website builders such as Elementor cost $99. And if you're able to take care of your website administration on your own, your yearly website costs could be under $1000.
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What Are The Pros And Cons Of Custom and WordPress Websites?
WordPress Websites
WordPress makes website creation super quick with its pre-made themes—just pick one and go! It’s a secure platform with a huge developer community fixing security gaps, plus SEO plug-ins to boost your rankings. Its responsive themes ensure your site looks great on any device, and blogging is built right in. Customizing themes can be tricky without a developer. Plus, despite regular updates, WordPress sites can still be vulnerable to hacks, so constant maintenance is a must to keep things secure.
Pros And Cons
Pros |
Cons |
Easy to use, even for beginners with no coding knowledge. |
Advanced customizations may require coding skills. |
Free to use for basic websites; affordable themes and plugins available. |
Premium themes, plugins, and hosting can add up. |
Thousands of themes and plugins to tailor your website. |
Using too many plugins can slow down your site or cause conflicts. |
Built-in features and SEO plugins help improve search engine rankings. |
Requires regular updates to avoid hacking risks. |
Suitable for small blogs, large businesses, and everything in between. |
Poor hosting or heavy themes can slow down the website. |
Custom Websites
A custom website on the other hand, gives you complete uniqueness, tailored features, and stronger SEO compared to WordPress. It aligns perfectly with your brand and offers better customer support since the original developer can fix any issues. Custom websites cost more and take longer to build. Any updates or changes depend on developer availability, making them less flexible than WordPress.
Pros And Cons
Pros |
Cons |
Custom websites are tailored to your specific needs, creating a one-of-a-kind look and feel. |
Custom websites generally require a bigger investment when comparing to templates or pre-made solutions. |
You can control every detail, from the layout to functionality, ensuring the website meets all your requirements. |
Since everything is built from scratch, custom websites take longer to design and launch. |
Custom websites can grow with your business and can be easily adapted to meet new needs or add features in the future. |
Custom websites may require more frequent updates and maintenance, especially if built on complex systems. |
A custom-built site can be optimized for faster load times and better functionality. |
You might rely on a developer or team for any future updates or fixes, which can lead to additional costs. |
Custom websites offer more flexibility for SEO, allowing for better optimization. |
Custom websites can be more complex to manage, especially if you don’t have technical knowledge. |
SEO Considerations for WordPress vs Custom Websites
Boosting Your Website’s Visibility
SEO stands for search engine optimization. Organic traffic plus SEO helps small to big businesses to gain brand visibility, lead creation, and conversions. It helps Google along with other search engines find your website.
Website optimization includes technical SEO, content SEO, plus off-page SEO. On-page SEO—keyword research, content production, and optimization—is the same for WordPress or for custom websites.
However, custom websites optimize with adequate coding for technical SEO, including layout and website architecture, comparing it to WordPress vs Custom Website.though this may raise costs. SEO methods boost SERP rankings for many WordPress sites. Therefore, your SEO approach will determine whether you use a custom or a WordPress website design.
Continuity in Website Design
Website creation is ongoing. So you need to add content and maintain SEO on your website periodically. WordPress has a learning curve, but even non-techies can use it. Website maintenance is mostly self-service.
However, you still have to create, modify, and upload media to the media library. Though, your web developer must update your unique website often. And here’s a pro tip: A customizable WordPress theme is cheaper than a custom website design.
Common Myths About WordPress vs Custom Websites
While we are talking about WordPress vs Custom Websites, let’s talk about their misconceptions as well. So, let’s take a moment to bust those myths and set the record straight!
Myth #1: Custom Websites Are Always Overpriced
Now let’s talk about custom websites for a sec. Yes, they’re more expensive upfront than WordPress. But does that mean they’re always expensive! Nope, not at all. A custom site is built from scratch, optimized for your brand, and can scale with your business as it grows.
And over time, a custom site can actually save you money. Another thing that matters, is that you don’t have to worry about plugin fees, constant updates, or random compatibility issues. So, while the initial investment might sting a bit, it’s often worth every penny in the long run.
Myth #2: Custom Websites Are Only for Big Companies
Another common myth is that custom websites are only for huge corporations with excessive budgets. Nope, not true.Small businesses often think they’re better off with WordPress, and sometimes they are!,
However, If you want something truly unique and built specifically for your goals, custom is the way to go. And don’t assume it’s insanely expensive, as it’s all about finding the right developer and having a clear scope for the project.
Myth #3: WordPress Is Only for Small Websites
People love saying WordPress is just for tiny blogs or small businesses, but let me tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, WordPress is super beginner-friendly, and a lot of small websites use it because of that. But some of the huge names run on WordPress.
Even The Walt Disney Company has a WordPress site. So, if WordPress is good enough for these giants, it’s definitely capable of handling more than just your neighborhood bakery’s website. It’s all about how you use it!
Myth #4: You Don’t Need Any Technical Skills to Use WordPress
Okay, this one’s half-true, but let’s not oversimplify things. And if we are talking about WordPress, it is a beginner-friendly website, but thinking you’ll never have to touch anything technical is a bit of a stretch.
At some point, you might need to mess around with CSS, PHP, or JavaScript to get things just right. And let’s not forget keeping plugins and themes updated or dealing with conflicts, they can get technical real fast. So, while WordPress does make life easier, don’t expect it to do all the work for you without some learning along the way.
The Final Verdict
A website is a must-have for your business, so picking the best one and the best people to build it is the first step to making your business successful. Choose between a WordPress vs Custom Website after you've thought about your brand’s goals and ideas. After you decide on a website, hire professionals with experience who know your business needs and work to help your business grow.
If you have made up your mind to go for a custom website then hiring a reliable designer from WebWolfs is the first step to building a high-conversion web design. If you need a truly unique design and set of functions for a custom job, then a custom website might be the way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What’s the main difference between WordPress vs Custom Website?
Well, WordPress is a ready-to-use platform where you can pick a theme and start building your site. It’s super user-friendly and great for most people. A custom website, on the other hand, is built from scratch, tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
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Can I make a WordPress site look just like a custom one?
You can get pretty close! WordPress has a ton of themes and plugins that allow for heavy customization. But if you need something truly unique, where every little detail is designed just for you, then a custom website might be the way to go.
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Which one is more expensive WordPress vs Custom Website?
Yeah, generally speaking, custom websites can be more expensive. Since they’re built from scratch and often need expert development. WordPress, on the other hand, is more affordable and gives you a lot of flexibility without breaking the bank.
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How long does it take to build a WordPress vs Custom Website?
WordPress is usually faster to launch because it’s mostly pre-built. You just customize the design, add content, and you’re good to go! A custom website takes longer since it’s all built from the ground up, with every feature tailored to your needs.
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Which one is better for SEO?
Both can be optimized for SEO, but custom websites give you more flexibility in terms of speed, structure, and functionality. WordPress is great for SEO too, especially with the right plugins and themes, but it’s a bit more restricted.
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Do I need a developer for a WordPress site?
Not necessarily! WordPress is pretty beginner-friendly, so you can create a site on your own if you’re comfortable with it. However, if you want to really fine-tune things or get a more unique look, a developer can definitely help.
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Can I change or update my WordPress site myself?
Definitely! One of the big perks of WordPress is that you can easily update content, add new pages, or change things around without needing to call in a developer. With a custom website, depending on how it’s built.