Why do developers keep returning to WordPress?

Why do developers keep coming back to WordPress?

I find myself returning to WordPress frequently and am wondering if there are any affordable alternatives for smaller clients.

I started my web development journey with WordPress about 10 years ago. Over time, I embraced the trend where people dismissed WordPress for being slow and insecure, as many in my circle of full-stack developers believed.

I learned React and Vue and experimented with GatsbyJS, which worked well for simple brochure-style websites. I used to style my WordPress sites from scratch using a “starter” SASS theme, so switching to GatsbyJS, where I also code my theme, felt similar in terms of effort. However, when clients need more complex features like a blog or e-commerce functionality, custom React solutions often exceed their budget, and I end up reverting to WordPress.

What would you suggest for handling a blog or e-commerce site?

Here’s why I avoid certain options:

  • Magento: Feels like overkill for smaller projects.
  • Prestashop: My past experiences haven’t been great.
  • Laravel/Other PHP Frameworks: Seems excessive for blogs; Magento is more suitable for large e-commerce sites.
  • React + CMS Backend: Open to suggestions, but it often seems more complex than using a CMS.
  • GatsbyJS + CMS Backend: Gatsby requires recompiling since it’s a static site generator, making it less suitable for shared hosting environments.
  • Webflow/Shopify/Other Page Builders: Might render my services unnecessary for the client.

Most of my clients are small businesses in South Africa with limited budgets, and they often prefer shared hosting packages due to bundled services or affordability. This limits my options since I don’t have full control over the server. I’m open to exploring alternatives.

Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

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I consider Statamic to be incredibly valuable. It’s built on Laravel, which might seem like overkill, but it’s inherently scalable. It supports Blade templates or its own Antlers syntax, both of which are excellent. Being a flat-file CMS, it avoids the need for a database, making version control a breeze. You can use it for server-side rendering or in a headless setup, depending on your needs.

In my opinion, it’s just perfect.

Statamic vs WordPress

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I also recommend Statamic. Its scalability is a major advantage. I’ve used it to build websites for a diverse range of clients, from local charities to NASDAQ-listed companies.

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It looks really impressive and lightweight! However, the pricing seems outrageous. There’s no way small businesses can afford such costs.