Is WordPress bad for SEO?
No. A well-maintained WordPress site can rank well. The practical problem is that plugin bloat and cheap hosting make many WordPress sites slow, and speed is a ranking and conversion factor.
Custom-built website vs WordPress
WordPress powers roughly four in ten websites and is cheap to start, but a typical small-business install carries 15 to 30 plugins that each need updates and each can break the site. A custom-built site on Next.js has no plugin layer, loads faster, and is secured at the platform level, at the cost of needing a developer for structural changes.
Side by side
| Criterion | Custom (Next.js) | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Page speed | Fast by default (static and server rendered) | Depends on theme and plugins; often slow |
| Security surface | No plugin layer; framework patches only | Core + theme + every plugin |
| Editing content yourself | Via care plan changes, or a headless CMS if needed | Built-in editor |
| Design | Custom to your brand | Theme-based, customised |
| Build cost | Flat fee, quoted up front | Lower up front if templated |
| Lock-in | None; you own the code | None, but migrations are messy |
| Best for | Businesses that want speed, SEO, and no plugin upkeep | Content-heavy sites edited daily by non-developers |
Our verdict
Choose WordPress if your team publishes several times a week and wants a familiar editor. Choose a custom build if the site exists to win enquiries from search, you want it fast, and you would rather not think about plugins again.
We maintain both. If you already have WordPress and it works, a care plan is usually a better first step than a rebuild.
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit a custom-built site myself?
Content changes are included in the Growth and Partner care plans. If you need to edit frequently, we can connect a headless CMS so you get an editor without the plugin layer.
What does a custom website cost?
Website builds are quoted as a flat fee after a free 20-minute call. The quote covers design, build, launch, and local SEO foundations.
Let's get your website working for you.
New site, a redesign, or someone to finally look after the one you have. Tell us what you need — we reply within one business day.
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