Refspan project guide
WordPress or a custom website: which fits your project?
Choose a platform around the work your website needs to do. WordPress is a content management system that can suit sites with regular publishing and editing. A custom application can suit specific workflows or functionality. Neither approach automatically delivers better results; scope, implementation, content, and maintenance matter.
When WordPress is worth considering
WordPress is an option when people need to manage pages and publish content through an admin interface. A business website with service pages and articles may benefit from an established editing system.
Themes and plugins can add functionality, but the project still needs careful selection and configuration. Before committing, check whether the required features fit the available tools and what ongoing updates will involve.
- Your team needs to edit pages or publish articles.
- The main purpose is presenting information and collecting enquiries.
- An established theme or plugin can meet the requirements without awkward workarounds.
When a custom application may fit
A custom application may be appropriate when the core requirement is a workflow: different account roles, a portal, an internal process, or an integration with specific business rules. Start by describing that workflow, including exceptions and permissions.
A framework such as Laravel provides application-building tools, while React and Next.js can be considered for the interface and application structure. These are implementation options, not a reason to choose a custom build on their own.
- The project has specific business rules or account permissions.
- The experience requires a workflow that standard tools do not handle comfortably.
- Integrations and data handling are central to the product.
Questions to ask before choosing
Both approaches need a plan for hosting, maintenance, access, and changes. Discuss the whole lifecycle rather than comparing only the initial development quote.
- Who will edit content, and how often?
- Which features are essential for launch?
- Who is responsible for updates and backups?
- What happens when an integration changes?
- How will another developer take over the project?
How Refspan makes the recommendation
Refspan reviews the brief before recommending a stack. A Starter Site can use WordPress or a lightweight build. Bespoke functionality can be scoped as a custom project. Share the pages, workflows, and editing needs so the recommendation has a practical basis.