Compare WordPress, traditional PHP, website templates, static sites, Shopify and custom builds. Choose a technology your business can maintain.
WordPress is a common choice when staff need to edit pages. A template can reduce design work. A static site fits a small set of pages that change infrequently. A hosted commerce platform can cover a standard checkout, while a custom application gives developers control over specialised workflows. Choose according to who will maintain the site and what a customer needs to do on it.
What does a website technology choice actually include?
A proposal can name several things at once. PHP is a programming language, WordPress is a content management system that runs on PHP, and a theme is a presentation layer. A template-based site can use WordPress, a hosted builder or a set of HTML files. A custom design can also sit on WordPress. Ask which parts you are buying and what your team will own.
Compare the main options
| Approach | Pros | Cons | Good fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard WordPress | Editors can publish pages and posts. Themes and plugins cover common features. | Core, theme and plugins need maintenance. Plugin overlap can affect speed or reliability. | A business with frequent content updates and typical service or blog pages. |
| Traditional PHP with a database | Server-rendered pages and control over existing forms and data. Useful when staff already know the system. | Custom code may depend on older versions or one developer. Upgrades need compatibility testing. | An existing site with business rules worth retaining. |
| Template or hosted builder | Faster design setup with established layouts. Some builders handle hosting and updates. | Layouts and exports vary. Custom workflows may depend on paid add-ons or the platform. | A small business that needs familiar pages and a straightforward enquiry flow. |
| Static HTML or a static-site generator | Publishes ready-to-serve HTML. Public content can load with little JavaScript. | Editing may require a build or CMS. Forms and logins still need a service or backend. | A brochure site, campaign landing page or content-led site. |
| Hosted commerce such as Shopify | Combines catalogue, checkout and order tools with an administration interface. | Account, app and payment costs vary. Validate support for your checkout, shipping and return rules. | A store with standard products, inventory and order fulfilment. |
| Custom app or framework build | Supports tailored permissions, integrations, portals and business workflows. | Needs a larger maintenance commitment, documentation and a deployment owner. | A portal, complex booking system or product with distinctive workflows. |
How do you choose for your business?
Start with the customer action. A clinic may need a prominent call or appointment button and a way to publish revised hours. An education business may need staff to update course pages and route new enquiries. A retailer should test a full order, including shipping, payment and refunds. The work behind those actions matters more than the technology name.
Test the editing and support workflow. Ask the developer to demonstrate an edit on a staging site. Find out who can add a service, update an image, check enquiries and restore a backup. Include the cost of hosting, renewals, support, updates and developer time in the first-year comparison.
Check ownership in writing. List the domain, hosting account, content, code, licences and data exports. Agree who controls each account and what your team can take with you if you switch suppliers. A clear handover can be as important as a quick launch.
Which option is best for speed and SEO?
Test a working page on a phone. Check that the key copy, links and enquiry controls appear reliably and that every public service page has a distinct URL. Ask the developer to show what the server returns and what the browser adds. Images, fonts, analytics and third-party embeds can affect performance on any platform. Compare the same page and actions across proposals.
If you already have a website, use the upgrade-or-rebuild checklist to assess it first. For platform details, see the WordPress theme handbook and Shopify online store documentation. For a live project, compare your website budget, check mobile performance and review website development services across India.