WordPress or Custom Development: Which Is Right for My Project?

Define the features before choosing the technology

A compact website, a regularly edited site and a custom application have different requirements. We first clarify content, features, editing and budget. A particular system is not automatically faster, cheaper or more secure.

When WordPress fits

WordPress makes sense when you want to manage text, images and posts regularly. WooCommerce adds shop functionality. Extensions exist for many requirements; we assess quality, compatibility and maintenance before choosing them. Custom features can also be developed as WordPress plugins.

When Next.js or Astro fit

Custom Next.js development can suit specific user flows, integrations or web applications. It can also power a simple website. Astro is another option for compact, largely static sites. Whether a CMS is needed depends on who will update content and how often.

Headless WordPress combines the two

WordPress remains the content management system while a separate Next.js frontend displays the content. Posts can still be created in WordPress. The theme and page builder no longer determine the new frontend; its presentation, previews and editable components are implemented separately.

For shops, WooCommerce and existing ERP integrations can remain in place. Plugins for APIs and business logic still need review and maintenance. The new frontend does not automatically load their previous presentation files, but it still depends on reliable API responses.

Compare performance and maintenance honestly

Images, JavaScript, caching, hosting and data access affect loading speed in both approaches. A fair comparison uses actual pages and documented test conditions. A fixed millisecond figure or Lighthouse score does not follow from the framework choice alone.

Custom applications also need updates, backups, monitoring and fixes. Headless combines frontend and backend responsibilities. We therefore plan ongoing operations before starting.

Price follows scope, not the system name

My compact website starts at €790 excluding VAT: a one-page website or a homepage with up to two simple subpages, mobile and desktop design, a contact form, technical SEO basics, adding your supplied content with image optimisation, one consolidated revision round, functional checks and handover. Legal notice and privacy pages use your supplied legal texts. The technology is chosen to suit your requirements.

Larger websites, shops, multiple languages and custom features receive an individual quote. Hosting, domains, ongoing support and server maintenance are quoted separately.