The Question Every Business Owner Asks
"Should I build my website on WordPress or Next.js?"
It's the most common question we get from clients. And the honest answer is: it depends on what you're building, what you need, and where you're headed.
This guide breaks down both platforms so you can make an informed decision.
What is WordPress?
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. It started as a blogging platform in 2003 and evolved into a full content management system (CMS).
How it works: WordPress runs on a server with PHP and MySQL. You install themes and plugins to add features. You edit content through a dashboard.
Best for:
- Marketing websites
- Blogs and content sites
- Small business sites
- E-commerce (with WooCommerce)
- Sites where you need to update content frequently
What is Next.js?
Next.js is a React framework created by Vercel. It's used by companies like Netflix, TikTok, and Notion for their web applications.
How it works: Next.js builds static pages at compile time or renders them on the server. It uses JavaScript/TypeScript and React components.
Best for:
- High-performance marketing sites
- Web applications with custom functionality
- Sites that need cinematic animations
- Dashboards and portals
- E-commerce with complex requirements
Performance Comparison
WordPress:
- Speed depends heavily on hosting, theme, and plugins
- Shared hosting = slow. Premium hosting = fast
- Plugins can bloat your site quickly
- Typical load time: 2-5 seconds (unoptimized) to under 1 second (optimized)
Next.js:
- Fast by default
- Static pages load instantly from CDN
- No database queries on page load
- Typical load time: under 1 second
Verdict: Next.js is faster out of the box. WordPress can be fast with proper optimization, but it requires ongoing maintenance.
Cost Comparison
WordPress:
- Platform: Free
- Hosting: $10-50/month (shared) to $100-300/month (managed)
- Theme: $0-200 one-time
- Plugins: $0-500/year
- Development: $2,500-6,000 for a custom site
- Total first year: $3,000-8,000
Next.js:
- Platform: Free
- Hosting: $0-20/month (Vercel) for most sites
- Development: $8,000-15,000 for a custom site
- Total first year: $8,000-15,000
Verdict: WordPress has lower upfront costs. Next.js has lower ongoing costs. Over 3 years, they often even out.
SEO Comparison
WordPress:
- Excellent SEO plugins (Yoast, RankMath)
- Easy meta tag management
- Built-in sitemap generation
- Slower page speed can hurt rankings
Next.js:
- SEO handled in code (more control)
- Blazing fast page speed (Google loves this)
- Automatic image optimization
- Server-side rendering for crawlability
Verdict: Both can rank well. WordPress is easier to manage for non-developers. Next.js has performance advantages that Google rewards.
When to Choose WordPress
Choose WordPress if:
- You need to launch quickly (under 4 weeks)
- Your budget is under $5,000
- You want to edit content yourself without developer help
- You need e-commerce with WooCommerce
- You're building a blog or content-heavy site
When to Choose Next.js
Choose Next.js if:
- Performance is a priority
- You want premium animations and interactions
- You're building a web application, not just a website
- You want lower long-term hosting costs
- You're planning to scale significantly
The Bottom Line
There's no universal "better" platform. WordPress and Next.js serve different needs.
If you want speed to market and easy content management: WordPress
If you want peak performance and custom functionality: Next.js
Still not sure? That's what our discovery call is for. We'll help you choose the right platform based on your specific goals.