The Most Common Web Decision
When it's time for a new website, most Australian businesses face the same question: WordPress or custom?
Let's cut through the marketing and examine both honestly.
What WordPress Does Well
WordPress powers 43% of the web. That success isn't accidental.
Strengths:
- Massive ecosystem of themes and plugins
- Easy content management for non-technical users
- Large community and extensive documentation
- Lots of developers available
- Lower initial development costs
Best for:
- Blogs and content-heavy sites
- Sites needing frequent content updates
- Businesses with technical staff
- Tight budgets with simple needs
Where WordPress Struggles
Performance: WordPress sites often load slowly, especially with multiple plugins. Core Web Vitals can be difficult to achieve.
Security: The plugin ecosystem is a double-edged sword. Every plugin is a potential vulnerability. WordPress sites are heavily targeted because they're so common.
Maintenance: Plugins need updates. Themes need updates. Core needs updates. Compatibility issues arise. It's a constant cycle.
Customization Limits: Despite thousands of themes, you're still constrained by the framework. True custom design often requires fighting against WordPress, not working with it.
What Custom Sites Do Well
Strengths:
- Built exactly to specification
- Optimal performance-no bloat
- Smaller security surface
- No dependency on plugin developers
- Complete design freedom
Best for:
- Design-focused brands
- Performance-critical applications
- Security-conscious businesses
- Long-term investments
Where Custom Falls Short
Initial Cost: Custom development costs more upfront. There's no way around this-you're paying for tailored work.
Developer Dependence: You need access to a developer for changes. Though systems like FRAMESHIFT reduce this significantly.
Timeline: Custom takes longer than installing a theme.
Honest Comparison
| Factor | WordPress | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term cost | Often higher | Predictable |
| Performance | Variable | Excellent |
| Security | Requires vigilance | Lower attack surface |
| Flexibility | Good, within limits | Unlimited |
| Content editing | Built-in, powerful | Needs implementation |
| Maintenance | Constant updates | Minimal |
The Hidden WordPress Costs
The "$50 theme" often becomes:
- Premium plugins: $200-500/year
- Hosting upgrades for speed: $50/month+
- Security plugins: $100/year
- Developer time for plugin conflicts
- Eventual redesign when themes age
The Hybrid Approach
Many businesses want WordPress's content management with custom quality. That's exactly what we deliver.
Custom-coded sites with FRAMESHIFT give you:
- Full design freedom
- Excellent performance
- Easy content editing
- No plugin dependencies
Making the Decision
Choose WordPress if:
- You have a small budget and simple needs
- You need a site this week
- You have technical staff to maintain it
- Content volume is your priority
Choose Custom if:
- Your website represents your brand
- Performance matters for your business
- You want a long-term asset
- Security is a concern
Neither choice is universally right. It depends on your situation.
Explore our custom approach and see if it fits your needs.