‍

WordPress Scoring (20 out of 45)

WordPress is one of the most popular site-building and content management systems (CMS) in the world.  Did you know that over 35% of websites globally are built on WordPress?  In my career, the majority of the websites I have built have been done on WordPress. If you're looking for an all-in-one solution that will provide you with everything you need to get started with a website, including hosting and a domain name, then WordPress is a great option. I typically recommend WordPress websites to smaller businesses that don't need to update their website frequently or have secured information on them.

1. Security: ⭐

The open-source development of WordPress sites is extremely insecure and opens this kind of websites to multiple vulnerabilities and hacking attempts.  

2. SEO friendly: ⭐⭐

Overall WordPress has some great plugins for SEO optimization and compression.  However, if WordPress were not such a bulky platform, it wouldn't need such extreme compression plugins.  Wordpress includes canonicalization which is great for SEO.  You can also easily add blogs/pages which help with SEO.  

3. Ease of Use: ⭐⭐

This 100% depends on how the WordPress website was built.  There are typically 3 ways a WordPress site is built: custom coded with html/css/php, built natively using the WordPress builder or a plugin, or built using a templated theme.  Because of how WordPress is naturally built, some companies struggle with learning and using their WordPress site later on.

4. Quick to Launch:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

WordPress sites are typically very quick to launch.

5. Cost:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WordPress sites starting costs are free.  Hosting can be bought from WordPress or from another third-party provider.  Plugin costs are typically free or minimal in fees.

8. Content Editing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WordPress does not limit pages, posts, or the amount of content.  You can easily add custom code and javascript.  Integration with 3rd party applications is also very easy. Unlimited admins can be made to use the editor at any time.

9. Learning Curve: ⭐

Because of WordPress's many intricacies and complexities, Many Companies find it difficult to learn, use, and maintain.  This again also plays into how it was built.  Some companies find it easier to edit visually so if it was built custom code that is often more of a learning curve that they are prepared for.  I recommend doing a video-recorded handoff to clients to show them visually how to edit their website afterward.

‍

‍

Webflow Scoring (25 out of 45)

Overall I have enjoyed using and creating websites with Webflow. However, like WordPress, Webflow also has its drawbacks.  Webflow is more of a do-it-yourself solution, or you're already familiar with web development, then Webflow or a custom website builder might be a better option.  Webflow is slightly less resource-heavy than WordPress which makes it slightly faster and corporates find the visual editing tools easier to use than WordPress.  Both WordPress and Webflow suffer from security issues, however, web flow does have the edge over WordPress as it is not open source. I typically recommend using Webflow for larger companies and companies that will be making frequent changes to their website.  

‍

1. Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Webflow websites are not open-sourced and are not easily injectable. For security, these websites are much more secure than WordPress.  I would say the next level of security from a Webflow website would be either a dotNET website or a custom-built website.

2. SEO friendly: ⭐⭐⭐

Webflow websites are typically non bulky which means the load times are typically much faster.  They also have powerful built-in compressors.  That being said if you already understand the mechanics of SEO, web flow is great as you can adjust alts, schema tags and canonicalization.  However, if you are unfamiliar with SEO mechanics you might find Webflow challenging as there are no prebuilt plugins to help.

3. Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Webflow is extremely easy to jump in and begin editing. The platform makes sense from a design perspective.  They give tools to limit the ability to only edit images and text which works well with corporations. building unique CMS tools is easy to do and clients understand it well.  Honestly, the CMS tool is one of the most powerful builder tools I've encountered out there on the market.  It's very well done.

4. Quick to Launch:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Webflow sites are typically very quick to launch.

5. Cost:  ⭐⭐⭐

While Webflow does have plans to start a free website, it's extremely limited. Webflow has many packages and addons which can become pricey over time.

8. Content Editing: ⭐⭐⭐

While the content editor is easy to use, Webflow has some wonkiness with content overall. Even with the biggest plans, you are limited to 100 pages, up to 10,000 CMS items, only 60 editable CMS fields, and you are limited to admin seats unless you plan on updating those plans.

9. Learning Curve: ⭐⭐⭐

Overall the learning curve of Webflow websites is relatively easy.  There is also the web flow university to guide you and your clients along the way.  The only draw back is customers either find CMS editing easy or difficult depending on the person, so the more CMS items you have the more difficult it can become for the customer.

‍

‍

Custom Scoring (28 out of 45)

Custom is typically one of the best options to go with as it is built 100% to your specifications.  Typically custom builds are very fast, have superb SEO capabilities, and the security is optimal. However, custom website content management systems are typically not practical as development times and costs for custom can spike.  I recommend custom when there is already a set budget, a clear definition of specifications, and a flexible wait time. Obviously, this will be different based on who is hired to build the custom CMS.  For custom projects, I recommend finding one great developer/company and sticking to that referral for consistency. Here's what I think of custom CMS websites:

1. Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

These are typically very secure websites, built from the ground up.  My developer specializes in white hat hacking, so I know my custom projects are built optimally.

2. SEO friendly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Custom projects are great because they virtually have no baggage.  I always recommend for custom be built with full accessibility for added SEO. These sites are also built to handle canonicals and schemas.

3. Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As it is custom, these are worked around the client's needs with the client signing off 100% of the way.  Most of the time clients find these sites optimally easy to use and edit.

4. Quick to Launch: ⭐⭐

These websites can take a while to launch as the software must be built first.  A simple CMS might take 2-4 months to create and a complex one ranges between 6 months to a year.

5. Cost: ⭐⭐

Custom projects also are much more expensive.  The more specifications the client adds on, typically effects the overall price.

8. Content Editing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is typically built to the client specifications.

9. Learning Curve: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

As it is custom, it can require more of a learning curve.

‍