In March we signed two projects in the same week. For a restaurant we built on WordPress. For a SaaS company we rebuilt on Nuxt with a headless CMS. Both were correct.
When WordPress is the right choice
Smaller sites, tight budgets, teams that edit frequently, massive plugin ecosystem. A quality WordPress website for 1,000-2,400 EUR.
When WordPress becomes the problem
Plugin sprawl, performance ceiling, security burden, page builder lock-in. Detailed in our headless CMS and Core Web Vitals articles.
The custom alternative
Frontend on Nuxt with headless CMS. 90+ PageSpeed, full SEO control, no plugins. Higher upfront cost, lower ongoing costs. Details on web development.
Decision matrix: 5 factors
| Factor | WordPress wins | Custom wins |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Under 2,400 EUR | Over 3,200 EUR |
| Content volume | Blog, simple pages | Complex data, API integrations |
| Update frequency | Client edits daily without help | Updates need specific layouts |
| Performance | Under 3s is enough | Under 1.5s, high traffic |
| Future scaling | Stays current 2-3 years | New features, integrations planned |
Total cost of ownership over 3 years
| Item | WordPress | Custom (Nuxt + headless) |
|---|---|---|
| Build | 1,600 - 2,800 EUR | 3,200 - 6,000 EUR |
| Hosting (3yr) | 720 - 2,160 EUR | 0 - 720 EUR |
| Plugins (3yr) | 200 - 1,000 EUR | 0 - 480 EUR |
| Maintenance (3yr) | 1,680 - 3,360 EUR | 720 - 1,440 EUR |
| Total | 4,200 - 9,320 EUR | 3,920 - 8,640 EUR |
Details in website cost breakdown and pricing. See also WordPress vs. custom and speed optimization.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress free?
The software yes. But hosting, domain, premium plugins, and maintenance cost money. More on WordPress vs. custom.
Can I migrate from WordPress to custom later?
Yes, 6-12 weeks typically. Key is redirect mapping. Details in headless CMS article.
How to decide
No universal answer. Sometimes WordPress. Sometimes custom. Sometimes optimizing what you have. Schedule a free consultation and we will tell you straight.