It is one of the first questions for a new website: build on WordPress, which everyone knows, or go with custom code in Next.js? The answer depends on whether the site is a business card or a sales tool.
WordPress: when it makes sense
WordPress works when you need a simple site you will update yourself, you have a limited budget and you do not need maximum speed. It is a mature CMS with a huge plugin ecosystem.
The trouble begins at scale: every plugin is extra code, a security risk and a slowdown. The site "grows over" and gradually loads slower.
Next.js: when it is worth it
- Speed. Statically rendered pages served from the edge load under a second. That genuinely affects Google rankings and conversion.
- Security. No admin panel and no plugins means a smaller attack surface.
- Control. The site does exactly what you design, without someone else's engine compromises.
The difference shows in the numbers. We explain why speed translates into sales in Core Web Vitals and sales.
Maintenance cost, not just build cost
WordPress can be cheaper at the start but pricier to maintain: updates, premium plugins, security patching. Next.js costs more upfront but needs almost no technical maintenance.
How to decide in 30 seconds
- Simple business card, small budget, self-editing - WordPress.
- The site must be fast, secure and sell to premium clients - Next.js.
We lay out the full cost and trade-off comparison in WordPress or custom code.