WordPress vs HTML: Unveiling the Shocking Truth, which one is better for your website In 2023?

Introduction to WordPress vs HTML

For a business owner, taking up their idea (website) online sometimes require more efforts than defining business goals. Why? Because the majority of the companies find it difficult to choose between an ideal platform for their business website. I have seen that people are discussing WordPress vs HTML as a perfect solution to this subject.

Both WordPress vs HTML have their pros and cons; however, the use for each may vary depending on the business needs. In this article, I will unfold WordPress vs HTML comparison to help you choose the right platform. So before moving forward, let's quickly give a brief about WordPress vs HTML.

What is WordPress?

Launched in 2003, WordPress took the Internet like a storm. It is an open source software written in PHP language. In the early days, WordPress CMS was only known as a blogging platform, but later it has served millions of websites and coined as one of the most popular and powerful CMS.

WordPress holds a high market share in the CMS industry. As per the stats, over 75 million websites are hosted on WordPress, which is 26% of all the available sites on the Internet. There are various reasons why WordPress is so famous, and among that flexibility, administrative control, and the easy-to-use dashboard is the most striking features. The best part I love about WordPress is that even a non-technical person can also operate it.

What is Static HTML?

It is those websites which are made with HTML markup language. Static web pages, also known as flat page use HTML markup and other scripting languages to create a website. In a static HTML site, each page will carry its own file and every time a user intends to visit a web page; the single file will fetch information.

Static HTML web pages are useful if you have a small website that doesn't require updates. If you are not, then you need to hire a web developer to manage the code for you.

Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages that come with WordPress.

WordPress vs HTML: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Using WordPress

Talking about benefits, WordPress clearly outranks other available CMS in the market. It is simple, easy to use, and comes with great flexibility.

1.User-Friendly

WordPress is very easy to use, even for those without technical knowledge. It has an intuitive interface and offers a wide range of customisation options. It is one of the reasons why WordPress dominates in the market is because of its ease-to-use dashboard. With WordPress, you don't need to go in the process of hiring a developer. All you need is a simple login and then you can create as many pages you want. Also, WP updates are more regular – so you will always be seeing new fixes and patches for your framework. It's also a minute job to update your WordPress website.

2.Powerful

WordPress CMS is built on a very strong framework. It allows businesses to use pre-installed features, which can also be extended with the use of plugins. In addition to this, businesses can also add more functionalities to their website as WordPress website is highly customisable with little or no limitations.

3.Full control

WordPress provides complete control of your website. Even the little information of your site can be easily managed and updated from the dashboard. The best part is that there is no limitation on the attempts. You can upload and update as much information on your website. Whether you start small or developed business over the time, WordPress gives you the same liberty to enjoy the intuitive interface with full control.

4.Customisable:

WordPress offers a vast library of themes and plugins that can be used to customise the look and functionality of a website. For someone who is less technical, WordPress is a heaven on earth (Internet). When you go to WordPress market, you will find thousands of free and premium templates with one-click installation. Professionals develop Those themes and plugins, and WordPress takes great care of best things go live.

5.Community Support:

WordPress has a large and active community of users and developers, which means that there are plenty of resources available to help with troubleshooting and development.

6.SEO-Friendly:

WordPress is designed to be SEO-friendly and has many plugins like RankMath that can be used to optimise a website for search engines. Every business wants to rank high on search engine, especially on Google, right? Well, the best part is that WordPress CMS platform is SEO-friendly also. Although you can work on dynamic web pages also, still WordPress code is optimized to give a boost to your search engine rankings. Even Matt Cutts also praised WordPress for being a perfect SEO-optimised platform.

7.E-commerce Ready:

WordPress has several plugins that allow for easy integration with e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to sell products online.

8.Dynamic websites:

WordPress has built on PHP, which means it can create dynamic web pages for your website. Dynamic websites are always good for business as you don't need to create different versions of pages – the server technology (PHP) dynamically build and load/serve different pages.

Disadvantages of Using WordPress

You will hardly find a strong reason not to move to WordPress, but there are few concerns that people sometimes experience with WordPress.

1.Security Risks:

Because WordPress is open-source, it can be vulnerable to security risks if not properly maintained or secured.

However paid services like with Sucuri can help manage this risk.

2.Plugin Overload:

While plugins can add great functionality, too many plugins can slow down a website's performance and cause compatibility issues.

Plugin management is therefore important to consider.

3.Regular Updates:

WordPress requires regular updates to ensure that it is secure and running smoothly. Failure to keep up with updates can result in compatibility issues and security risks.

To help resolve this, you can go with a managed WordPress hosting provider that can perform regular updates for you. I recommend WPEngine and Bluehost as their support is fantastic and they always keep you posted with the latest updates.

4.Customization Limitations:

While WordPress offers a wide range of customization options, it can be limited in terms of truly unique designs or functionalities that require custom coding.

If you are new to WordPress platform, you may find some of the options a bit difficult to perform. You can learn WordPress with easy tutorials, or you can simply browse the support section of WordPress where professionals and experts will answer all your questions or make contact with a digital marketing consultant.

5.Hosting Costs:

While WordPress itself is free, it does require hosting, which can come with additional costs depending on the size and needs of the website.

Advantages of using static HTML to build a website:

1.Speed:

Static HTML pages are faster to load compared to dynamic pages that require server processing. This can provide a better user experience and can also be beneficial for SEO.

2.Security:

Static HTML pages are more secure as there is no server-side scripting involved, which makes them less vulnerable to attacks such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

3.Portability:

Static HTML pages can be easily moved or hosted on any server without any additional dependencies or configuration. This can make it easier to deploy and manage the website.

4.Simplicity:

Static HTML pages are easy to create and maintain, especially for simple websites that do not require complex functionalities. There is no need for a content management system or database, which can simplify the development process.

Disadvantages of using static HTML to build a website:

1.Limited functionality:

Static HTML pages are limited in terms of functionality compared to dynamic pages that can provide more interactivity and customization. This can be a disadvantage for websites that require complex features such as user authentication, e-commerce, and content management.

2.Manual updates:

pdating a static HTML website requires manual updates to every page, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. This can be a disadvantage for websites that require frequent updates.

3.Difficult to scale:

Static HTML pages can become difficult to manage and maintain as the website grows in size. Adding new pages or sections to the website may require a complete overhaul of the existing code, which can be challenging to handle.

4.Limited SEO optimisation:

Static HTML pages may have limited options for SEO optimization compared to dynamic pages that can generate dynamic content based on user interactions. This can be a disadvantage for websites that rely heavily on search engine traffic.

Which one is better & when to use each?

I have already enlightened the features and capabilities offered by both WordPress and HTML, now let's put both WordPress vs HTML in direct comparison to see which platform works better in what scenario.

Note: I have analysed and tested both the platforms on the below criteria – and ranked each of them based on our findings.

1.Business suitability:

It is important to consider your business needs and goals when choosing a platform. For instance, if you want to create a simple website without any advanced functionality, Static HTML might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you want to create a website with a blog, e-commerce features, or other advanced functionality, WordPress is the better choice.

Winner: WordPress

2. Flexibility

WordPress apparently gets an edge over static HTML when it comes to flexibility. With its ease of use feature, you can smartly create and manage content in few clicks. WordPress flexibility also allows business owners to create dynamic content, and that too without the need of any tech person.

However, with HTML, first, you would need HTML knowledge to write or edit the codes. And if you are not a tech guy, then you would need to hire a developer to do the job for you. So if you are sure that you would not need to update your website (which is rare), then go for Static HTML, otherwise, invest on WordPress as it will give you more options to beautify your business and website.

Winner: WordPress

3. Cost

For a company which is tight on budget and have fewer requirements, static HTML websites are good option as they are cheaper to develop if your business doesn't demand changes (which is not the case always), however, if regular changes are required, then HTML websites would cost you more as hiring a developer can only help you with it.

Although both require a hosting plan, WordPress sites may also require additional fees for themes, plugins, and other features. While WordPress can be more expensive than Static HTML, it does also offers more features and functionality.

Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with each platform:

WordPress:

• WordPress is free to use, but you will need to purchase a domain name and hosting.
• Domain names typically cost around $10-15 per year.
• Hosting fees can range from $4 to $50+ per month, depending on the hosting provider and the level of service you need.
• Premium WordPress themes and plugins can cost anywhere from $0 to several hundred dollars.
• If you hire a developer to help you build and maintain your WordPress site, expect to pay hourly rates ranging from $50 to $200 or more.

HTML:

• HTML is free to use, and you don't need to purchase a domain name or hosting if you are just building a simple static website.
• However, if you want to make your site accessible on the internet, you will need to purchase a domain name and hosting.
• Domain names and hosting costs for HTML are similar to those for WordPress.
• If you hire a developer to help you build and maintain your HTML site, expect to pay hourly rates ranging from $50 to $200 or more.

Overall, the cost of using WordPress vs HTML can vary widely depending on your needs and the level of customization you require. While HTML may be cheaper for a simple static site, WordPress can be more cost-effective in the long run for larger, more complex websites with advanced functionality. It is important to carefully consider your budget and needs before deciding which platform to use.

If you have long-term goals with your business then investing few more dollars are worth it. And for this reason, WordPress websites is the better choice.

Winner: WordPress

4. Scalability

Scalability refers to the ability of a platform to handle increasing traffic and data. WordPress is known for its scalability, thanks to its plugins and themes that can be easily added to the site.

Static HTML may not be as scalable as WordPress sites since adding new pages or content requires manual coding.

Winner: WordPress

5. Security:

It is also important to consider the security of the platform. WordPress has a large user base, which makes it a target for hackers. While WordPress offers some security features, it is important to take additional measures to secure your site.

Security is always important irrespective of the size of your business. It is found that many business owners fail to take this point into consideration while choosing between WordPress and static HTML. The issue comes with both of them. However, certain preventions can minify the risk.

In the past, WordPress websites were reported to be easily cracked down by many hackers. The major reason that was found is when webmasters fail to update the version of WordPress website. For this, investing in a Managed WordPress hosting is an ideal solution. I recommend WPEngine when it comes to WordPress, as they are most updated solution provider when it comes to WordPress security. Specialist security services like with Sucuri can also help manage this risk.

Static HTML sites are generally more secure because they don't rely on third-party software or plugins but can be compromised if any loops are open in the JavaScript file. For static sites, developers should not leave any nodes open for hackers.

In general, both WordPress and Static HTML website can be compromised if right preventions were not taken out.

Winner: Draw

6. Support

WordPress stands out when I talk about community and forum. They have hosted a very engaging forum and support community where you can get answers to all your queries, and issues if experienced. The community members are highly professional and expert in the field, and always humble to help you out with anything.

On the other hand, you will always need hands-on knowledge and experience to understand the technical parts of HTML. Alternatively, you would require a developer to help you out with everything.

Winner: WordPress

Alternative Website Builder Platforms to WordPress vs HTML

Here are some alternative platforms to WordPress vs HTML;

• Joomla and Drupal are both content management systems like WordPress, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Joomla is known for its user-friendly interface, while Drupal is known for its flexibility and scalability.
• Shopify is an e-commerce website builder that allows you to create an online store with ease. Unlike WordPress or Static HTML, Shopify is focused solely on e-commerce and offers features like payment processing, shipping, and inventory management.
• Squarespace is another alternative website builder platform. It is a platform that provides a drag-and-drop interface and a variety of pre-built templates to help users create a professional-looking website quickly and easily.

Conclusion to WordPress vs HTML

I hope that the above WordPress vs HTML comparison highlights all the questions and concerns you may have. Considering the demands of businesses, I recommend site owners to move to WordPress as this can save both time and money. For many instances, static HTML can work for your business, but in the long term, you will always find WordPress as an ideal solution for your business website.

To start with WordPress, all you need is to sign up on WordPress and get a good managed WordPress hosting. It is ideal to have same company host and managed your WordPress website to avoid follow-ups and requests.

I recommend the following WordPress hosting companies that can help you to host your next business website on WordPress;

FAQ

Which is better for SEO, WordPress or HTML?

Both platforms can be optimized for SEO, but WordPress has more built-in SEO features and plugins available to make optimization easier.

Can I use custom designs with WordPress or HTML?

Yes, both platforms allow for custom designs. HTML requires coding knowledge, while WordPress can use custom themes or page builders.

Is WordPress more expensive than HTML?

WordPress can be more expensive due to hosting and maintenance fees, while HTML requires only a one-time cost for development.

Is WordPress easier to use than HTML?

WordPress is generally easier to use, especially for non-technical users, because it has a user-friendly interface and visual editors.

Can I switch from HTML to WordPress or vice versa?

Yes, it is possible to switch from one platform to the other, but it may require significant time and effort to transfer content and design.

Which platform is better for eCommerce?

WordPress with WooCommerce or other eCommerce plugins can be better for eCommerce, while HTML requires custom development or integration with third-party platforms.

Which platform is better for scalability?

WordPress can be more scalable due to its large community and plugin ecosystem, while HTML requires custom development to scale.

Which platform is more secure?

Both platforms can be secure if properly maintained and updated, but WordPress may have more security vulnerabilities due to its popularity and third-party plugins.

That's all for now:

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