Why You Shouldn't Use Worldpress

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Tip #1 - It's just a Supercharged Blogging Platform

At the end of the day, this game is about making money and being an entrepreneur. You want a website which is going to reflect your business well, regardless of whether that's built on WordPress or another platform. That's just my caveat to start off with.

My first reason why you shouldn't choose WordPress is because it's a supercharged blogging platform. It was only ever designed as a blog and then, over the years, more and more plugins got built for it. All of a sudden, now, it's turned into this great big CMS platform that everybody talks about. Ultimately, it's not an enterprise-level CMS platform. If you're serious about your business and you know that it's going to get scale. WordPress isn’t a suitable platform.

WordPress has its place in terms of solving some time and cost issues, which small businesses might have working against them. But if you're serious about your business and you think it's going to get scale, then I would suggest choosing an enterprise-level CMS platform.

WordPress does work to a certain point, but it lacks a lot of inherent functionality, which I feel a CMS platform should have. The functionality it is lacking tends to be the front end quality and the user experience that your customers are going to get when they look at a WordPress website. In my opinion, a CMS platform should be inherently secure, yet with WordPress, you have to install at least two plugins in order to make sure that it is secure. That's just a joke! I mean that says to me that WordPress isn't a serious CMS platform. Are you serious about your business?

The same goes for if you want to create a high performing website where the pages load instantly. Again, you've got to install a whole series of plugins in order to improve site performance and load speeds, and, even then, the plugins don't always talk to one another. I've seen WordPress websites that have got all of the caching turned on and all of the security patches installed. Yet when somebody tries to switch on a Content Distribution Network (CDN), which turbocharges any normal website, the WordPress website fails. This is not good for any business because it's just a poor user experience. You could lose customers over something like this! So take it seriously.

Plugins, Security, and the Hidden Costs of Maintenance

With WordPress, you're responsible for a lot of the technical legwork: plugin updates, security patches, and making sure nothing breaks when you change one tiny thing. It’s not just about slapping on a few plugins and calling it a day. Every plugin you add is another thing you need to keep updated, and if you forget, your site could be wide open to hackers. Compare this to platforms like Shopify, Wix, or Webflow, where all the technical maintenance, security, and hosting are handled for you. They give you enterprise-grade security and lightning-fast load times right out of the box, no fiddling around in the backend, no waking up in a cold sweat because you forgot a security update.

With WordPress, you’re not just building your website, you’re also signing up for a never-ending cycle of updates, compatibility checks, and troubleshooting. If you want your business to scale without worrying about your website crumbling at the seams, it's worth considering platforms that handle all the technical headaches for you. That way, you can focus on actually running your business, not wrangling plugins and chasing down performance issues.

Tip #2 - Developed by Bad Programmers

There are thousands of plugins available for WordPress. Many of them are built by very good programmers. Those I don't have a problem with. Some of them are going to be developed by programmers who have very bad habits. Now, do you want a website built on WordPress with a plugin installed by somebody with bad programming habits? The likelihood is that, you install that plugin, it's going to break the rest of your website, and if you're not a developer, you're not going to be able to fix it.

What this means is that those plugins probably contain lots of errors, poor site functionality or don't meet standards compliance. All of these things have an importance when it comes to search engine optimisation. What does Google think of your website, and what do your customers think of your website? If it's not standards compliant, if it's not accessible, if it's not responsive, Google is going to mark your website’s PageRank down. Do you really want that to happen with your website? I've seen so many, I'd say 99% of the WordPress enabled websites out there, have all of these issues with them: standards compliance, accessibility, responsiveness. Look it up!

And let's not forget, all the essential features you actually need, search engine optimisation, marketing, analytics, typically require even more plugins. For something as simple as SEO advice while writing content, you're reaching for Yoast or All in One SEO. Want to run A/B tests or automate some basic marketing? That’s another plugin, and another developer’s habits you’re inheriting. Even connecting your website activity to a CRM so you know what visitors are actually doing on your site? That’s a whole bundle of plugins, all written by different people, each with their own quirks and, let’s be honest, potentially questionable coding practices.

So, instead of a streamlined, integrated system, you end up with a patchwork of add-ons, each one a possible point of failure or security risk. Every extra plugin is another opportunity for something to break, especially when updates roll out or when two plugins decide they don’t want to play nicely together. At the end of the day, your website should be working for you, not giving you a headache every time you want to add a new feature.

You can't always guarantee, as well, that WordPress developers build their sites to a high standard. Okay, so you may eventually be handing your website over to a developer, but those plugins that you've installed on there, are they any good? Are you going to end up spending two or three times the amount of money having those problems fixed? And it might be that those plugins are just a bit buggy and could probably be fixed, but those poor programmers may not be commenting their code, so you've got no idea what's going on.

Tip #3 – Do Your Homework: Research, Reviews, and Real-World Results

Before you take the plunge with any website platform, take a step back and do your homework. Don’t just rely on glossy marketing copy or the opinion of that one mate who swears by Wix because it “looked easy enough on YouTube.” Real, unbiased feedback is worth its weight in gold.

Spend some time digging through customer reviews and case studies, especially those from businesses that are similar to yours. The issues and successes they've encountered are likely to reflect what you'll face. For example, a boutique retailer's experience with Shopify’s checkout process will be far more relevant to another small online shop than the vague boasts on an official feature list.

Look out for recurring complaints, praise, and, most importantly, pattern recognition. Are multiple users frustrated with slow load times? Is security a common pain point? Does a certain platform consistently win praise for customer support, or does it disappear as soon as something breaks?

By seeking out these real experiences, you’ll get honest insight into which platforms genuinely deliver, and which may leave you tangled in plugin purgatory or footing the bill for endless developer fixes. The time you invest now could save you not only money, but endless headaches down the line.

Tip #4 - There are Alternatives

"My friend's friend told me that WordPress is the best thing since sliced bread” and, “I built my website myself using WordPress." Are statement I commonly hear about DIY website builders. A lot of people don't realise, when they're asking for WordPress, that there are alternatives out there. It's tunnel vision. WordPress is all they want.

If you want to build a relationship with your web designer, perhaps let them suggest a platform, especially if you're very specific about what outcomes you want out of this. If you want your website to be highly optimised for Google, to be quick loading, load on mobile devices without any problems, then maybe you want to consider some of the alternatives to WordPress, or even having a custom CMS platform built for your website.

What should you look for in an alternative?

When you’re weighing up other options, don’t just jump ship for the sake of it. There are a few crucial aspects to keep in mind:

• Security & Maintenance: How are software updates handled? Is security baked into the platform, or is it an afterthought? And most importantly, who’s on the hook for ongoing maintenance, will you need to roll up your sleeves, or is someone else taking care of it?
• Total Cost of Ownership: Don’t just look at the sticker price. Some platforms might seem pricier up front, but they often include features you’d otherwise have to pay extra for with plugins and add-ons. Think about development costs, ongoing maintenance, and those sneaky plugin fees, they add up!
• Scalability: Is this a platform that will grow with your business, or will you hit a wall the moment your site gets some real traffic? Consider how it handles more users, more content, and more traffic. You don’t want to rebuild everything two years down the line.
• Integration with Other Tools: Does it play nicely with your CRM, your marketing automation, your email list, or whatever else you rely on? Clunky integrations cost you time and headaches.

So, before you get swept up in the WordPress hype, take a breath and look around. There are plenty of alternatives out there, some of which might suit your specific needs far better, saving you both money and migraines in the long run.

Integrated Platforms: More Than Just a Content Tool

You know, what many people don’t realise is that newer CMS alternatives come packed with all the bells and whistles you’d normally spend hours hunting down plugins for in WordPress. Think drag-and-drop page editors, seamless marketing automation, built-in SEO suggestions, and customer relationship management, right there, out of the box. No plugin roulette, no crossing your fingers that one update won’t break everything.

Take a look at platforms like HubSpot Content Hub or even Squarespace and Webflow. Not only do these options cut down the time (and stress) of juggling fifteen different plugins, but they bake security and performance in at the core. No extra costs for adding basic features, no hidden surprises when you discover the “free” plugin actually costs more than your monthly rent once you need it to do something useful.

From a cost perspective, you’ll often find that the so-called higher upfront pricing of these integrated platforms is quickly offset. You’re saving the money you’d spend constantly fixing dodgy plugins, patching security holes, or hiring a developer every time something stops talking to something else.

And when it comes to functionality, well, everything actually works together. Your website, your email campaigns, your forms, your lead tracking, it’s all part of the same system. No more copy-paste chaos or endless troubleshooting. So, when you’re weighing up your options, it’s worth thinking beyond sticker price, factor in the total cost of headaches and lost opportunities, too.

If you’re serious about growing your business and want software that just quietly gets on with its job (instead of making you a part-time tech support agent), these alternatives really do give you more, for less hassle.

Some Standout Alternatives to WordPress in 2025

Now, I know what you're probably thinking: “But isn’t WordPress the gold standard? Isn’t everyone just using it by default?” Truth is, it’s only one of many options, and frankly, sometimes it feels a bit like everyone’s queuing up for the same brand of bread, when there’s an entire bakery out there.

If WordPress just isn’t cutting it, maybe you’re tired of patching plugins or you simply want something a little more tailored to your needs, there are some seriously impressive contenders out there. Here are a handful that routinely come up in conversations with business owners and designers alike:

• HubSpot Content Hub – Ideal if you want your website and your marketing tools joined at the hip. It’s a strong pick for those serious about digital marketing, with analytics, CRM, and automation bits baked right in.
• Webflow – Suits the design-obsessed and anyone who wants full creative control without getting tangled up in code. What you see is genuinely what you get, and you can build some truly slick, responsive sites.
• Craft CMS – Excellent choice if you want more say over every nook and cranny of your site. It’s flexible, secure, and doesn’t come bundled with a bunch of clutter you’ll never use.
• Wix – A fantastic option for those who want drag-and-drop simplicity, with hundreds of templates and just enough creative freedom to make your site stand out.
• Shopify – If eCommerce is your bread and butter, Shopify is purpose-built for selling online, with rock-solid security and payment options straight out of the box.

Of course, each has its quirks and strengths. Some are more suited to complex content sites, while others excel at online stores or beautiful portfolios. The main takeaway? You definitely don’t have to stick with WordPress, especially if you want a website that loads quickly, meets accessibility standards, and actually plays nicely with modern marketing needs. Explore your options and see which platform truly fits your business goals.

Tip #5 – What About the Real Costs?

Now, let’s talk about something that rarely gets mentioned in those “It’s free!” WordPress sales pitches: the real costs hiding behind that shiny zero-price tag.

It's easy to be dazzled by “free,” but like any DIY project, building a WordPress site has plenty of add-ons (and add-ups) that most people don’t realise until they’re well and truly committed. Here’s a taste of what you might end up paying for:

• Web hosting – Unlike fully hosted solutions like Wix or Squarespace, you have to pay for your own hosting with WordPress. Depending on your needs, this could be anything from £15 to £80+ per month.
• Themes & design – Sure, there are lots of free themes. But if you don’t want your website looking identical to everyone else's, a premium theme will cost you, usually between £40-£160 a year.
• Plugins – Even basic features like contact forms, advanced SEO tools, or e-commerce generally require premium plugins. Prices vary, but it’s not unusual to pay £12-£80 for each essential plugin, every year.
• Security – You’re responsible for keeping things safe with WordPress. So, be prepared to fork out extra for specialised security services, which can run £80-£240 annually.
• Backups – Want peace of mind? Most people pay for a dedicated backup solution (another £4-£40 per month).
• Maintenance & developer time – When problems inevitably crop up, or if your site needs a tweak, expect to pay a professional anywhere from £40 to £120 per hour. Those hours can certainly add up, especially if you’re stuck with plugins that don’t play nicely together.

When sizing up WordPress against other competitors like Wix, Shopify, or Webflow, don’t just look at the up-front sticker price. Those all-in-one website builders often bundle hosting, security, updates, and support into a single monthly fee. With WordPress, it’s more of an à la carte menu, each “essential” you add bumps up your monthly spend.

So, before you decide, be sure you’re comparing the full, honest picture, because “free” can sometimes turn out far pricier than you expect.

Developer Resources and Customisation Options on Alternative Platforms

Now, let’s expand your horizons a bit, because it isn’t just WordPress out there. If you want your website to stand out, be lightning-fast, and fit your business like a tailored suit, you have other options, each offering its own approach to developer resources and customisation.

HubSpot: Marketing Integration Meets Technical Ease

Say you want your sales and marketing to work like a well-oiled machine. HubSpot can help. Unlike WordPress, where you’re left juggling updates and patches yourself, HubSpot takes care of all the technical heavy lifting, automatic updates, security, and speed improvements are managed for you. Developers get access to tools like local development environments, version control, and activity logs, making advanced custom work straightforward. Plus, it’s especially strong if you need your website to tie in directly with customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing automation. Great for B2B and professional services, in particular.

Webflow: For Pixel-Perfect Control (Without Coding From Scratch)

If you’re a designer, or working with one, Webflow brings you the best of both worlds: complete design freedom without requiring you to write every line of code yourself. Its visual editor lets you build custom, responsive sites, while developers can dip behind the scenes for deeper tweaks. Hosting, security, SSL, it’s all built in, so that’s one less headache. And if you want features like advanced animations or interactions, they’re available natively (no need for a forest of plugins). Content editors also get a simple interface to update pages without risking the “self-destruct” button.

Craft CMS: Built By Developers, For Developers

Now, if your needs are complex, custom data structures, unique workflows, advanced integrations, a platform like Craft CMS could be the answer. Here, you get a blank slate: developers have full flexibility to model content exactly how you need. Craft is open-source but uses a modern framework, keeping your codebase clean and robust. Content management is handled through a streamlined, flexible backend, ideal for projects where “one-size-fits-all” just won’t cut it. The catch? You’ll want a skilled developer or agency in your corner, as it’s not really a DIY affair.

Wix: Simplicity First, With Room to Grow

Prefer to skip the technical deep dive? Wix trades ultimate control for ease of use. Its drag-and-drop builder lets you customise quickly, and there’s a marketplace of add-ons for extended functionality. Developers wanting more can access coding tools within the platform, but keep in mind, you’re building inside Wix’s ecosystem, so there are some guardrails in place.

The bottom line? There’s an alternative platform to fit just about any requirement, and each one comes with its own developer toolkits, customisation possibilities, and technical support. The trick is to match the platform’s strengths to what your business actually needs, then make sure you have the right expertise to get it set up properly.

How to Evaluate Website Platform Alternatives

So, what should you actually do before jumping into bed with any website platform, be it WordPress, something your cousin heard about on Reddit, or the latest darling of the tech world? Here’s how you avoid the classic “But everyone uses it!” pitfall and make a decision that won’t come back to haunt you.

First, don’t take marketing material at face value. Ask for a hands-on demo or, even better, a free trial. You want to roll your sleeves up and test drive the platform properly. Click around, break things, see if the features you actually need are easy to use, or buried behind endless menus and jargon intended to make you question your life choices.

Don’t just rely on what the salesperson tells you, either. Yes, talk to their team, but dig deep. What’s the support like? Will someone actually pick up the phone when your site crashes at 2am, or will you be left marooned with only Google and your wits for company? Ask about their onboarding process and what kind of hand-holding (if any) they’ll offer in the early days.

Take advantage of the digital age, do your homework. Scour review sites, stalk Reddit threads, and sift through customer testimonials on platforms like G2 or Capterra. Look specifically for feedback from businesses that do what you do. Do they rave about the platform, or do they warn you off with cautionary tales of regret and misery?

Lastly, zero in on the details that really matter for your business:

• Performance (how quick are those page loads, especially when your mum hits “refresh” a hundred times?)
• Mobile responsiveness (your site should look good everywhere, not just on your developer’s 4K monitor)
• SEO friendliness
• Ease of content updates (because you don’t want to call your developer every time you need to change a comma)
• Scalability and integrations (think future, you don’t want to start over in a year)

In short, be curious, be thorough, and don’t fall for shiny object syndrome. The right platform should fit your needs now and grow with you as your business evolves.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Open-Source CMS vs Proprietary Website Builders

So, let's move on from WordPress, because there's more out there than meets the eye. You might be wondering whether you should opt for one of the open-source CMS platforms or take the plunge with a proprietary website builder. Both camps have their loyal fans, but let’s cut through the marketing fluff and talk about what really matters to you as a business owner or marketer.

Open-Source CMS Platforms

These are your platforms like Drupal, Joomla, and Craft CMS, open for anyone to use, modify, and improve. They give you a blank slate. Want to create a bespoke digital experience, tailored exactly to your business needs? Open-source CMS is where that's possible.

Strengths:

• Total Control: You (or more likely, your developer) decide how your content is structured, where your menus go, and how your data flows. There’s almost nothing you can’t tweak if you’ve got the know-how.
• Flexibility: Need to integrate with a special CRM, automate content publishing across multiple channels, or create unique workflows for editors? It’s all doable.
• Scalability: As your business grows, you aren’t bumping up against arbitrary limits. Add features, sections, languages, all within your own framework.
• Transparency: Because the code is accessible, you’re not locked into a single vendor. If your developer ghosts you, a new one can pick up the slack (assuming their PHP isn’t as questionable as those plugin developers I mentioned earlier).

Weaknesses:

• Technical Barrier: All that power comes at a price, namely, you probably can’t set things up alone. You’ll need a developer for anything beyond simple edits. If you’re not careful, your bright idea for a new feature can turn into a budget blackhole.
• Learning Curve: Not always as friendly for non-technical users. The editing experience is often less slick out of the box compared to the flashier website builders.
• Community and Support: While some open-source communities are brilliant, updates and fixes can be slow, and you may occasionally get stuck trawling developer forums at midnight.

Proprietary Website Builders

Think of platforms like Wix or Squarespace. The promise here is “anyone can build a website before breakfast,” and honestly, for a lot of businesses, that’s true.

Strengths:

• Ease of Use: Drag-and-drop your way to a new homepage. No coding skills needed, and you certainly don't need to call your cousin’s friend who “knows computers.”
• Complete Package: Hosting, security, backups, software updates, all invisible, all handled for you. If your core business is running a café, not debugging a stylesheet, this is a dream.
• Quick Launch: Get online fast. Choose a template, add your logo, and off you go. Perfect for smaller organisations or anyone allergic to meetings with web developers.
• Built-in Tools: Many offer integrated e-commerce, booking, analytics, and email marketing tools aimed at helping small businesses trade online without needing separate add-ons or complicated setups.

Weaknesses:

• Limited Flexibility: Want to build a complex membership portal, or integrate with a rare back-end system? Proprietary platforms put you in their sandbox, if what you want isn’t part of the toolkit, you may be out of luck.
• Data Portability: Migrating away can be tricky, sometimes bordering on impossible without headaches. You’re locked into their world.
• Less Customisation: You get what you’re given in terms of features and design flexibility. Pushing past the boundaries can mean workarounds, compromises, or not-so-pretty kludges.
• Ongoing Costs: Subscription fees never sleep. Over years, costs can add up, and you might end up paying more for those “easy” features than you would for a custom-built open-source site in the long term.

In short, it’s horses for courses. Open-source CMS platforms are for those who want to build something unique and have the capacity (and budget) for tailored development. Proprietary website builders are fantastic for the business owner who wants to focus on running their business without worrying about the tech behind the scenes. Just be clear about your priorities before picking your champion.

Be Honest, No Platform Is Perfect

Now, before you get swept up in the “greener grass” mentality, it’s only fair to point out that WordPress alternatives have their own sets of limitations and quirks. Let’s deal in reality for a minute, no platform is the sacred unicorn of web design.

Let’s go through some of the common headaches you might encounter:

• Upfront costs can be higher. Many all-in-one platforms, think HubSpot, Webflow, Craft, or Shopify, tend to charge more right out of the gate. While you avoid the plugin circus that comes with WordPress, these costs can surprise you if you're used to WordPress’s low bare-bones start.
• Testing environments aren’t always fully featured. Some platforms make it a pain to properly test things like forms or marketing integrations before you go live. You want to clone your whole site and give it a dry run? Not always as easy as you’d hope.
• Plugin and integration choices might be slim. Unlike WordPress with its never-ending plugin bazaar (for better or worse), platforms like Webflow or HubSpot have smaller, more tightly controlled app ecosystems. This means solid quality but could also mean building custom features from scratch if your needs are niche.
• E-commerce is often basic unless you bolt something on. If you’re after serious online shop capabilities, platforms like Wix or HubSpot offer only the basics out-of-box. To get anything close to the flexibility of WooCommerce or Shopify, you’re looking at third-party integrations or a different provider altogether.
• You might face a learning curve. Yes, some platforms have friendly interfaces, but let’s be real; if you’re coming from WordPress, prepare for a bit of reorientation. Some systems are intuitive, some aren’t, and teams can take time to adjust.
• Developers may be required, especially for custom setups. Take Craft for example, you’ll need technical know-how to unlock its real strengths. No “drag-and-drop and hope for the best” here.
• Exporting and moving your data can be tricky. Lock-in is real! With builders like Wix, getting your content out and onto a new platform can be like pulling teeth (except less fun).
• Less flexibility and limited access to code. If you love getting your hands dirty in source code or tweaking every last pixel, keep in mind that some platforms just won’t let you under the bonnet, or only do so with restrictions.

So, there you have it. Every platform, even the shiny new alternatives, comes with its own bag of tricks and trade-offs. Choose based on what matters most: your priorities, your technical comfort level, and the kind of business you want to run.

The Learning Curve: Switching from WordPress to Something New

Now, you might be wondering, "If I move away from WordPress, how hard is it to get up to speed on a new platform?" Good question! Honestly, it comes down to this: every platform has quirks, and your team will need to spend a bit of time getting acquainted with whatever you choose, be it HubSpot, Joomla, Drupal, or any other CMS.

If you’ve spent years tinkering with WordPress, there’s an adjustment period (just like learning to drive a new car after years in your trusty old Ford Fiesta). Most modern platforms, however, are designed with usability in mind, so you’ll probably find that the initial learning phase is manageable, especially compared to heavyweight enterprise systems like Sitecore or Adobe Experience Manager, which often require steeper training curves and sometimes a degree in patience.

The great news? Once you get your hands dirty, many teams find that certain alternatives can actually be more intuitive or less cluttered than WordPress was. And since we'd all rather be building great websites than sitting through endless video tutorials, that's definitely a win.

Data Export Headaches from WordPress

Now, before you start packing boxes to move your content from WordPress to another platform, let me give you a heads up: exporting your data isn’t always the smooth, one-click operation you might expect. While WordPress tells you there's an export tool for posts, pages, media, and so on, the reality tends to be messier.

First off, if your site is full of complex layouts, custom posts, or you’re running various plugins, not everything will slot neatly into your new home. You’ll often discover:

• Custom fields and special content types can go missing or get mangled in the process.
• Images and media sometimes don't link properly after migration, leaving behind a trail of broken files.
• Certain plugins store data in quirky, plugin-specific formats, making moving that data out a real pain.
• You may end up needing third-party tools or developers just to wrangle the content into a useable state, so don’t expect every bell and whistle to follow along without a hitch.

All of this can mean you’ll hit unexpected roadblocks and need more time (and budget) to get your new site fully up and running. So, if you’re planning a jump away from WordPress, just know: what looks like a simple export button may actually open up a whole can of worms.

Considering a Migration Away from WordPress? Here’s How the Process Usually Unfolds

So, let's say you've had enough of the WordPress circus and are eyeing up greener pastures, perhaps HubSpot, Webflow, Craft, or even Wix. What does moving your website actually look like? Well, no two migrations are ever truly the same, but generally, you’ll find a few common routes you can take.

1. The “Template and Tweak” Route

If you want to keep things simple and cost-effective, most platforms offer ready-made templates. You pick a design that resembles your current WordPress site, or maybe something fresh, and then go about customising it to match your brand. This usually means you’ll have to do some hands-on work: copy and pasting content, uploading images, and adjusting styles. You’ll be up and running quickly, but may have to compromise on uniqueness or finer-grained functionality.

2. The “Clone and Polish” Approach

This one involves recreating your existing site page by page, but on the new platform. Often, you’ll hire a developer or work with a specialist who knows the ins and outs of your chosen platform. They’ll handle the tricky parts: migrating all your content, matching up designs, and making sure everything works as intended. It’s a bit more time-consuming and potentially pricier, but you’ll maintain consistency and have fewer nasty surprises.

3. The Grand Reinvention

Maybe what you really want is a full refresh, a new look, new features, and a site that’s properly optimised for today’s demands. In this scenario, you’d collaborate with an agency or a specialist team to plan, design, and then build your new site from scratch on the new platform. All your old content gets migrated over, but in the process, you get to rethink navigation, user journeys, and design elements to align with your real goals. Yes, it takes longer and costs more, but the end result can be transformative.

4. The Hybrid Rollout

Particularly for bigger sites (or when budgets and timelines are tight), you might choose to move just the highest-priority pages first, think homepage, contact, those all-important landing pages, and migrate the rest in stages. This way, your new site goes live sooner, reducing downtime and headaches, while the lower-value or less-visited pages follow at a more manageable pace.

Some Words of Caution

Whatever route you pick, there are always hidden gremlins in the details:

• Double-check standards compliance, accessibility, and responsiveness on your new platform.
• Don’t assume all features will “just work”, test everything before going live.
• If you’re not confident with the technical side, seriously consider roping in an experienced developer or agency. It could save you a world of pain (and expense) down the road.

And remember, don’t just let someone “move it over” without asking questions. A thoughtful migration is key to making the most of your new website, whether you’re ditching WordPress for speed, security, or just a fresher face.

Approaches for Migrating from WordPress to Another Platform

Now, if you’re set on leaving behind your WordPress headaches, perhaps burnt out on plugins and curious about greener pastures, what are your options for moving your website elsewhere? Well, much like packing up an old flat, there’s more than one way to make the transition, depending on your ambitions, budget, and patience for new things.

Below are several common migration approaches you might consider, no matter which platform you’re moving to (Webflow, HubSpot, Wix, Craft CMS, or anything else):

• Start Fresh with a Template: Choose a pre-built template on your new platform and tailor it to your brand. This is generally the quickest and most affordable option, though you might have to make a few compromises on design or functionality, think of it as moving into a furnished apartment and swapping out the décor as you go.
• Rebuild Your Site “As Is”: Recreate your current website’s design and structure on the new system. If you’re fond of your site’s look and feel, this approach keeps things familiar while tapping into the benefits of the new platform. However, you’ll miss the chance to modernise and possibly streamline your site.
• Go for a Full Redesign: Perhaps you’re ready for a complete makeover. This path involves collaboration with a web designer or agency to overhaul your site during the migration. It takes more time and investment but gives you the power to address any long-standing gripes, improve usability, and better support your business goals.
• Tackle It in Phases (Hybrid Approach): Migrate your most crucial pages first, the ones that really matter to customers or your bottom line, then gradually bring the rest over. This method keeps risks lower, especially for sprawling or complicated sites, and lets you refine things as you go, without biting off more than you can chew.
• DIY vs. Professional Help: Of course, you can either roll up your sleeves and do it all yourself, especially if you enjoy tinkering with new platforms, or call in professional help, developers, platform specialists, or agencies, who’ll handle everything from technical setup to content transfer.

The best approach really comes down to your site’s complexity, your in-house skills, your tolerance for a learning curve, and just how fed up you are with wrangling WordPress plugins. Whatever you decide, remember: a well-planned migration is worth its weight in gold, sparing you headaches down the line.

The Perks of Direct CRM Integration

Now, let’s talk about another thing that’s often overlooked, choosing a website platform that slots your website activity straight into your CRM. Honestly, it’s like finally putting your accounts and receipts in the same place rather than scattering them around the office in various filing cabinets (or random drawers).

What does this actually do? For starters, every time someone lands on your website, their clicks, page visits, and interactions are tracked, all neatly logged into your CRM, no need to fumble about with a jumble of extra plugins, like you’d do on WordPress. This means you instantly see how visitors are behaving, what they're interested in, and where they drop off, all without bolting Frankenstein’s monster together with five different add-ons.

Want to get fancy? You can present tailored content to each visitor depending on what stage they're at in your sales cycle, or how they've interacted with your site. In WordPress, sure, that's possible, if you're willing to fork out for a bundle of premium plugins and wrangle them into working together. With direct CRM integration, it just works out of the box.

And here’s the real kicker: everything is kept inside one system. No more plugin updates breaking your site, no more patchwork solutions. Just straightforward data and better insights, all connected to your customer database, so you and your marketing team can focus on nurturing leads instead of troubleshooting plugin conflicts.

What to Watch Out for in Demos and Trial Periods

Okay, so you’re narrowing it down. Let’s say you’re actually taking a look at some of these alternative platforms. You’ve even got a demo or two lined up, or maybe they’re offering you a trial period. Brilliant. But before you get too distracted by the shiny dashboards and animated walkthroughs, let’s talk turkey about what you really need to focus on.

First things first, don’t just sit and nod while someone gives you a canned demo. Get stuck in and start asking awkward questions, questions about your specific needs, not just their greatest hits. Are you likely to need complex forms, unusual integrations, or a multi-language setup? Make them show you how those work. Don’t settle for vague promises that “it supports all that.” Demand proof.

During your trial period, put the platform through its paces, don’t just click around the homepage dashboard and declare it a winner. Try using the features you’ll rely on day in and day out. Upload content, create new layouts, play with user permissions. If blogging matters, post a new article. If you need e-commerce, run the setup for a simple product. It’s amazing how many minor irritations and deal-breakers only show up when you do things your way, not just their way.

Also, get other people involved if you can; drag in a couple of colleagues who aren’t as technically minded as you are. If they find the system intuitive, you’re probably onto something good. If they can't figure out how to add a news item after five minutes, that’s a red flag.

And, most critically: pay attention to response times, does the system lag, freeze, or generally make you want to throw your laptop out of a window? If so, run a mile. Don’t forget to check the quality of their documentation and support channels, too. When you get stuck, is help easy to find, or do you end up trawling endless forums (Stack Overflow, I'm looking at you)?

Take this time seriously, because the last thing you want is to jump from WordPress trouble into another set of headaches. Make the platform prove itself before you even think about committing.

E-commerce Platforms – A Different Ball Game

Now, if e-commerce is something you're after, let’s have a frank chat about how different platforms stack up against WordPress and its trusty (well, sometimes trusty) sidekick, WooCommerce.

With WordPress, as you already know, you’re relying on a series of plugins to bolt on that online store functionality. WooCommerce is the usual go-to, but what nobody tells you is that things get fiddly fast. Every update becomes an event, compatibility issues pop up, and you’re always one rogue plugin away from a checkout catastrophe. You’re also the one on the hook for keeping everything secure and PCI compliant, which can feel like juggling flaming swords if you’re not steeped in code.

Now, compare this with platforms that are built specifically for e-commerce, like Shopify. These guys don’t pile more plugins onto your site. Instead, you get a fully integrated experience right off the bat: your storefront, payments, inventory management, and PCI compliance are all handled for you. You don’t spend your evenings reading plugin documentation or troubleshooting errors, you get to focus on selling your stuff.

Here’s what tends to set dedicated e-commerce platforms apart from the WordPress approach:

• No more plugin soup: E-commerce essentials come built-in, not bolted on.
• Security is part of the package: PCI compliance, fraud protection, and SSL are managed behind the scenes.
• Everything in one place: Inventory? Payment processing? Analytics? You’ll find all your tools under one roof.
• Seamless scaling: These platforms are made to handle traffic spikes and growing product lines without you needing an IT overhaul.

If you’ve been wrestling with plugins on WordPress and it feels like herding cats, taking a serious look at platforms that are purpose-built for selling online can be a breath of fresh air. The end result? A smoother experience for both you and your customers, without the risk of your “shop now” button vanishing after a dodgy update!

The Downsides of Using Shopify

Now, let’s talk about Shopify, because, just like with WordPress, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Yes, Shopify’s simple setup can be a big draw, but there are some catches you’ll want to keep in mind before diving in headfirst.

Firstly, the ongoing monthly costs. Shopify charges you a subscription just to use their platform, and pretty soon, you’ll find yourself needing to pay extra for each additional feature or app you want to bolt onto your store. Before you know it, what started as a reasonable monthly fee can snowball into a much bigger expense, especially if you want your site to do more than just sit there looking pretty.

Then, there’s the matter of content management. Compared to WordPress, Shopify is a bit more restrictive. If you plan on publishing lots of different types of content or running a blog alongside your shop, you might find yourself feeling boxed in by Shopify’s rather basic content tools.

And let’s be honest, if your ambitions stretch beyond pure e-commerce, Shopify isn’t exactly what you’d call flexible. Want to launch a site that’s more about bookings, events, or community, rather than products-in-a-cart? Shopify just isn’t designed with those use cases in mind.

It all comes down to making sure you’re not trading one headache for another. Consider what you really need your website to do, and don’t fall for the hype that any one platform is a magic bullet for every business problem.

Tip #6 – Options for Migrating from WordPress to Shopify

But what if you’re already on WordPress and want to jump ship to Shopify? You’ve actually got a few ways to approach this whole migration process, depending on how hands-on you want to be (and how much patience you have for wrangling with settings).

• DIY Theme Setup: If you’re running a smaller site and fancy starting with a clean slate, you can pick out a Shopify theme and manually transfer your content and products. This means rolling up your sleeves, but it does let you rethink what you actually want to keep.
• Enlist a Shopify Expert: Not quite comfortable braving it solo? There’s a whole ecosystem of Shopify migration experts who’ll do the heavy lifting: moving your products, collections, and pages, all while making sure you don’t lose ground with SEO in the shuffle.
• Work with a Shopify Agency: For bigger businesses or anyone wanting a total overhaul, specialist Shopify agencies can completely redesign and migrate your site. You get professional project management, improved performance, and ideally more conversions at the end of it.

However you go about it, know there are experienced folks out there who handle these migrations day in, day out, so you don’t have to lose sleep over broken links or missing images.

Tip #7 - If you just want a WordPress Site then Find a Reputable WordPress Developer

Finally, I think if you're just focused purely, solely on having a WordPress site, then there are lots of WordPress developers out there. I suggest you go and find somebody who specialises purely in WordPress websites. They will understand how the plugins work and which plugins are going to be best suited to your website.

I know a couple of brilliant WordPress developers, and whenever I get asked for a WordPress website, I've always got a couple of great guys, who I know, to recommend and refer work to.

When I speak to customers about optimising their website, from a performance perspective, especially, I know that the two guys who I use to build WordPress websites know how to make WordPress work for them.

The end of my Rant about WordPress

Phew! Glad I've got that off my plate! That's been in there for a little while, and I just had to get it out there. But don't get me wrong; I know that WordPress has its place. There's a lot of great things that you can do with WordPress. There are thousands of plugins available which do a multitude of things.

If you want a cheap website, set up quickly, that you can install e-commerce plugins onto, with a customisable theme, then it's the perfect platform for small business. But don't forget: if you're going to go enterprise and scale your business, then maybe look for something else, or look for a specialist WordPress developer.

In Summary

Why I don't like WordPress:

1. It started out life as just a blogging platform.
2. There are lots of plugins, but a lot of them might be built by very unreliable programmers.
3. There are alternatives out there to WordPress.
4. Finally, I just reiterate, find someone who specialises in WordPress sites specifically, if you can't be swayed away from WordPress.