Creating a website requires a lot of planning, and one of the most essential choices you’ll have to make is whether to build your website from scratch or use WordPress.
Learning the benefits and disadvantages of both processes can put you in a better decision-making position. For instance, it can help you know which is easier to use, and if you’re thinking long-term, you’ll know which is cheaper to maintain.
Luckily, I’ll cover everything you need to know about building your website from scratch or using WordPress.
So let’s dive into the details.
What does building a website from scratch mean?
It simply means building a website that requires specific customizations you cannot get on WordPress.
Oftentimes, developers build their websites from scratch to explore their creativity and use more complex but unique features on their websites.
While this is great, non-developers may find it challenging to build a website from scratch, and if they do get one, it’ll come at a cost.
What does WordPress mean?
As a quick reminder, WordPress is a content management system that powers millions of websites worldwide.
WordPress is also the most popular website builder, divided into its open-source and hosting platforms, that is, www.wordpress.org and www.wordpress.com.
Now let’s go into the details of whether it’s better to build your website from scratch or via WordPress.
Should you build a website from scratch or with WordPress?
If you have no coding knowledge or experience, build your new website using WordPress. You’ll still get a highly functional and professional website. WordPress is the best website builder, so you have nothing to lose.
Conversely, build your website from scratch if you’re a developer and want more than what WordPress offers. And if you have no technical experience but want your website built from scratch, your best bet will be to employ a developer.
But keep in mind that it comes at a fee.
Next is a review of the advantages and disadvantages of using WordPress and building from scratch. This will give you a clearer insight into which method will be most beneficial to you.
Advantages of building your website from scratch
1. Customizability
Building a website from scratch allows for complete control over the site’s design, layout, and functionality. This can be especially beneficial for businesses or organizations with unique branding or specific requirements.
2. Scalability
Starting from scratch allows for the website to be built with scalability in mind, so as the website grows, it can handle the increased traffic and load.
3. Security
When building a website from scratch, you have full control over the code and can implement security measures that may not be available in pre-built templates or platforms.
4. Flexibility
Building from scratch allows for flexibility in the choice of technologies and tools used. You can choose the best tools for the job, rather than being limited by what a pre-built template or platform supports.
5. Cost
In the long run, building a website from scratch can be more cost-effective than using pre-built templates or platforms, as there are no ongoing fees or costs associated with using a third-party service.
Disadvantages of building your website from scratch
1. It can be pricey
Hiring a developer to build your website from scratch is not always cheap.
Some developers request hundreds of dollars, and you’ll still need to depend on them for regular site maintenance. If you cannot afford this and are not a developer, opting for WordPress is better.
2. It takes time to learn
Building your website from scratch requires solid knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While it’s not impossible to learn, it can delay the launch of your website and put your business on hold.
Ordinarily, becoming a developer can take up to a year or even more, and that’s already too much time.
Advantages of building your website with WordPress
1. User-friendly interface
WordPress is easy to use, even for those with little technical experience. The dashboard is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy to create and manage content.
2. Customizable
WordPress offers a wide variety of themes and templates, so you can easily customize the look and feel of your website. You can also add custom CSS and JavaScript to personalize your site further.
3. SEO-friendly
WordPress is optimized for search engines, making it easier for your website to rank well in search engine results. You can also install plugins to improve your site’s SEO.
4. Responsive design
WordPress themes are responsive, meaning they automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices. This ensures that your site looks great on all devices.
5. Support and community
WordPress has a large community of users and developers, so a wealth of resources and support is available. If you have a question or problem, chances are someone has already asked it, and the solution is available.
6. Plugins and add-ons
WordPress offers a wide variety of plugins and add-ons, which can be easily installed to add functionality to your site. Examples include social media sharing buttons, contact forms, and e-commerce functionality.
7. Cost-effective
WordPress is free and open-source software, so you can build and host a website without significant costs. This makes it an excellent option for small businesses and individuals on a budget.
Disadvantages of building your website with WordPress
1. Regular updates
If you build your website with WordPress, be prepared to update your plugins, themes, and software as frequently as required. This helps to fix bug-related issues and ensure the security of your website.
2. Plugins can affect your website
Having too many plugins on your WordPress website can be a red flag. This is because it can reduce the speed of your site and increase its loading time.
The same happens when your website’s images are oversized and not properly optimized. You can fix this by installing only relevant plugins and keeping your plugin count between 3 and 9.
FAQs
Do professional website builders use WordPress?
Yes, they do. However, not every professional website you see on the web was built with WordPress. Some were built from scratch, and others used website builders like Weebly, Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace.
Should you learn how to code or use a website builder?
Learning how to code is the best option. It gives you more control and is usually more secure than a website builder.
Is building a website from scratch hard?
It depends on your experience level. While some people may find it challenging to build a website from scratch, experienced developers will find it much easier.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve decided to have a new website, you can either build it from scratch or use WordPress. From this review, you should be able to decide which is best for your needs.
As a recap, if you’re not a developer, using WordPress is a more affordable alternative because you may spend a lot to hire a developer.
Conversely, if you’re a developer, building your website from scratch gives you greater control, and you can write your code as you’re inspired.
Thanks for reading.
Need more guides on website builders, you should see WebsiteBuilder101 for more.