If you're planning a new website, you've probably heard two names: WordPress, the widely used content management system, and Next.js, a modern framework built on React that many fast, custom websites now use. Both can produce an excellent business website. They suit different situations, and the right choice depends less on which is "better" than on how your site will be edited and what it has to do.
We build with both, and this website is itself built with Next.js. We'll explain where each one shines and where it doesn't.
The short version
- Choose WordPress if your team will publish or edit content often without a developer, or if you need features that well-established plugins already provide.
- Choose Next.js if speed, a fully custom design or complex functionality matter most, and content changes are occasional or can be handled through a structured editing setup.
- Consider both together ("headless") if you want WordPress's editor with a custom, fast Next.js front end, and the project justifies the extra build investment.
What each one actually is
WordPress is a complete website system. It stores your pages in a database and builds each page when a visitor asks for it, usually sped up with caching. You choose a theme for the design and add plugins for features. It needs a server running PHP and a database; WordPress currently recommends PHP 8.3 or newer and MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10.11+, with HTTPS (WordPress requirements (opens in a new tab)).
Next.js is a framework developers use to build a website as a custom application. Pages can be generated in advance as static files, rendered on a server, or a mix of both. A static Next.js site can be deployed on any web server that serves ordinary HTML, CSS and JavaScript files (Next.js static exports (opens in a new tab)). There's no database to look after unless your site needs one.
How they compare
| What matters | WordPress | Next.js |
|---|---|---|
| Editing content | Built-in visual editor; easy for non-technical staff | Through a connected CMS, or by the developer for code-managed content |
| Design freedom | Theme-based; custom themes possible | Fully custom by default |
| Adding features | Thousands of plugins | Built or integrated by a developer |
| Speed | Good with careful hosting, caching and plugin choices | Very fast when pre-generated as static pages |
| Security upkeep | Core, theme and plugin updates needed regularly | Smaller attack surface for static sites; dependencies still need updates |
| Hosting | Needs PHP and a database | Static sites run on simple hosting; dynamic features need a server |
| Upfront cost | Usually lower | Usually higher, because more is custom-built |
| Developer dependence | Lower for day-to-day edits | Higher, unless a CMS is connected |
Editing: the deciding factor for most businesses
Think about how often your website changes and who changes it.
- Daily or weekly updates by your own team (news, blog posts, new pages, offers): WordPress's editor is hard to beat. Staff can publish without touching code.
- Occasional updates (new services, prices, team changes a few times a year): Next.js works well. Changes can go through your developer or a lightweight content setup.
- Frequent updates and a custom, high-performance site: connect a Next.js front end to a content management system (sometimes WordPress itself, run "headless"), so editors keep a familiar interface.
Speed and search
Speed matters because it affects both visitors and how Google evaluates pages. Google's Core Web Vitals treat a page as "good" when the Largest Contentful Paint is within 2.5 seconds, Interaction to Next Paint is 200 milliseconds or less, and Cumulative Layout Shift is 0.1 or less, measured at the 75th percentile of real visits (web.dev (opens in a new tab)).
Both platforms can meet these targets. Next.js has an advantage when pages are generated in advance, because there's little work left to do when someone visits. A WordPress site can also be fast, but it usually depends on good hosting, caching, a lightweight theme and restraint with plugins. In practice, how a site is built matters as much as the platform it's built on.
Security and upkeep
WordPress's flexibility comes from plugins and themes, which also means more software to keep updated. WordPress's own security guidance notes that older versions aren't maintained with security updates. It advises keeping plugins patched, removing unused ones, and only installing plugins and themes from trusted sources (WordPress hardening guide (opens in a new tab)). With regular maintenance, WordPress sites run securely for years.
A static Next.js site has no database or admin login on the public server, which removes common points of attack. It still relies on software packages that need occasional updates, and any server-side features need the same care as any web application.
Cost and hosting
- Build cost: WordPress is usually quicker to launch and costs less upfront, because themes and plugins provide much of the functionality. Next.js usually needs a larger upfront investment, because the design and features are built for you.
- Running cost: WordPress needs PHP hosting and ongoing updates. A static Next.js site can run on simple hosting with fewer moving parts, but content changes may involve your developer unless a CMS is connected.
- Maintenance: both need it. What it involves differs, which is why we price maintenance by technology, not by a flat rate.
Which should you choose?
WordPress is likely the right choice if:
- your team needs to publish and edit content regularly without a developer
- a well-established plugin already does what you need (bookings, memberships, a WooCommerce store)
- you want to launch quickly with a professional, theme-based design
Next.js is likely the right choice if:
- speed and a distinctive, fully custom design directly affect your enquiries or sales
- your site needs custom functionality, integrations or app-like interactions
- content changes are occasional, or will run through a connected CMS
- you're building a long-term digital asset and want full control over performance
A headless setup is worth considering if:
- you need both regular editing and a custom, high-performance front end, and the project justifies the extra build investment
How we approach it
We build business websites and stores on WordPress and on React / Next.js, and we recommend whichever genuinely fits. For online stores, our guide to WooCommerce vs Shopify vs custom goes deeper. For custom builds, see our React & Next.js development. For sites that need regular updates, our dynamic website design explains the content-managed approach. Whichever platform you choose, our website maintenance services keep it secure and up to date.
Frequently asked questions
Is Next.js better than WordPress? Not in general. Next.js suits custom, high-performance sites with occasional content changes. WordPress suits sites that non-technical teams update often or that rely on established plugins.
Can I edit a Next.js website myself? Yes, if it's connected to a content management system. Without one, content is managed in the code and changes go through your developer.
Is WordPress secure? Yes, when it's maintained. Keep WordPress, themes and plugins updated, remove unused plugins, and install only from trusted sources.
Does a Next.js website need special hosting? A statically generated Next.js site can run on ordinary web hosting that serves HTML, CSS and JavaScript files. Sites that use server-side features need a hosting environment that supports them.
Which is better for SEO? Both can rank well. What matters most is speed, clean structure, good content and correct technical setup, all of which you can achieve on either platform.
Not sure which fits your business?
Tell us how your team will use the website and what it needs to do. We'll recommend WordPress, Next.js or a headless setup, and explain why, with a clear, fixed quote.
