WordPress vs Custom Websites

Should you use WordPress or have a custom website built? It's one of the most common questions I get from New Zealand businesses, and the answer isn't always obvious.

Both approaches have their place. The key is understanding which one fits your specific situation, budget, and long-term goals.

WordPress powers about 40% of all websites globally. It's a content management system (CMS) that started as blogging software but has evolved into a flexible platform for many types of sites.

WordPress Strengths

• Quick to set up: Can get a basic site running quickly
• Lots of themes: Thousands of pre-made designs available
• Plugin ecosystem: Add functionality without custom development
• Familiar to many: Lots of people know how to use it
• Lower initial cost: Often cheaper to get started
• Easy content updates: Non-technical users can add pages and posts

WordPress Challenges

• Security maintenance: Requires regular updates to stay secure
• Plugin conflicts: Third-party plugins can break or conflict
• Performance issues: Can become slow with many plugins
• Limited customisation: Themes constrain design and functionality
• Ongoing complexity: More moving parts to manage

A custom website is built from scratch specifically for your business. Every line of code is written to do exactly what you need, nothing more, nothing less.

Custom Website Strengths

• Exactly what you need: Built specifically for your requirements
• Better performance: No unnecessary code or features
• Enhanced security: Fewer attack vectors, no plugin vulnerabilities
• Complete control: No limitations from themes or plugins
• Easier maintenance: Simpler codebase, fewer dependencies
• Unique design: Doesn't look like other websites

Custom Website Challenges

• Higher initial cost: More expensive to build
• Longer development time: Takes more time to create
• Developer dependency: Need a developer for major changes
• Less familiar: May require training for content updates

Content-Heavy Sites

If you regularly publish blog posts, news, or other content, WordPress's content management features are hard to beat.

Multiple Content Editors

When several people need to update the site, WordPress's user management and familiar interface are valuable.

Standard Functionality

If your needs fit well with existing themes and plugins, WordPress can be cost-effective.

Tight Budget

When budget is the primary constraint and you can accept the limitations.

Quick Launch

When you need to get online quickly and can refine later.

Specific Business Processes

When your website needs to integrate with your unique business workflows or systems.

Performance Critical

When site speed and performance directly impact your business success.

Security Sensitive

When you handle sensitive data or can't afford security breaches.

Long-term Investment

When you want a solution that will serve your business for many years without major overhauls.

Unique Requirements

When your needs don't fit standard templates or require custom functionality.

Professional Image

When standing out from competitors with a unique design and user experience is important.

Local Support

Consider whether you can get local support for your chosen approach. WordPress has many local developers, but finding quality custom development may require more research.

Compliance Requirements

Some NZ businesses have specific compliance needs (privacy, accessibility, industry regulations) that may be easier to meet with custom development.

Growth Plans

Think about where your business will be in 3-5 years. Will your chosen platform grow with you or become a limitation?

Total Cost of Ownership

Consider ongoing costs including hosting, maintenance, updates, and future changes — not just the initial build cost.

Sometimes the best solution combines both approaches:

Custom WordPress themes: Use WordPress as the CMS but with completely custom design and functionality.

Headless WordPress: Use WordPress to manage content but a custom frontend for better performance and flexibility.

Phased development: Start with WordPress to get online quickly, then migrate to custom as your business grows.

Ask yourself these questions:

• How unique are your requirements?
• How important is performance to your business?
• Who will be updating the site content?
• What's your budget for initial build and ongoing maintenance?
• How long do you want this solution to last?
• Do you need specific integrations or functionality?

There's no universally right answer. The best choice depends on your specific situation, and a good developer will help you make the right decision rather than pushing their preferred approach.