Date: 4/7/2024
Author: admin
WordPress has rapidly become the leading website development and management platform on the internet. This is because, as a free and open-source content management system (CMS), it’s easy to use, customizable, and relatively affordable.
But is WordPress the best option for building your website? While most people prefer to build their websites on WordPress, some prefer to create their own websites from scratch through HTML coding.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using WordPress to create your website versus coding the site from scratch. We’ll also review some factors to consider when choosing between WordPress and coding.
Takeaways
Takeaways
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a content management system (CMS)that enables users to create and manage a website or blog. It’s free and open-source software released under the GPL.
WordPress is one of the most popular CMS platforms in use today and blogs around the world. It’s a versatile platform that can be used to create a variety of websites and applications.
In addition to building a simple website or blog, WordPress can also be used to create more complex websites, including e-commerce sites, membership sites, and social networks. For a comprehensive understanding
What is HTML?
HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. It’s the standard markup language for creating web pages and web applications.
HTML is used to structure and present content on the World Wide Web. The content is written in the form of HTML elements, the building blocks of HTML pages. The elements are represented by tags, which markup the start and end of HTML elements.
The Difference Between an HTML and WordPress Website
If you’re a web developer, chances are you’ve been asked, “Should I build my website using HTML or WordPress?”
Let’s explore the differences between HTML and WordPress websites to help you make an informed decision.
HTML Websites
An HTML website is a static website created using HTML code, meaning that the content on the site does not change unless the developer manually makes changes to the code. HTML websites are coded from scratch using a text editor and uploaded to a web server via FTP.
The main advantage of an HTML website is that it gives the developer complete control over the site’s look, feel, and functionality. If you know how to code, you can create a custom website that meets your needs and specifications. However, building an HTML website can be time-consuming and require a lot of upkeep.
WordPress Websites
A WordPress website, on the other hand, is a static or dynamic website created under the WordPress CMS without writing any code.
Wondering what a CMS is?
A Content Management System, or CMS, is a software application used to create, edit, manage, and publish digital content.CMSs are typically used for websites and blogs but can also be used for other types of digital content like mobile apps, video games, and e-commerce platforms.
WordPress websites are powered by a database that stores all your site’s content. When someone visits your site, the CMS retrieves relevant data from the database and generates a page on the fly. This makes it easy to add, remove, or edit content without coding.
What is a Static HTML website?
A static HTML website is a website built using only HTML code. That means no CSS, JavaScript, or other programming languages are used to build the website. The code for a static HTML website is written in plain text, which makes it easy to create and edit.
HTML code is usually written in a text editor and then saved as individual files. Those HTML files are then uploaded to a web server where they can be viewed by anyone who visits the site’s URL.
Does WordPress use HTML?
The simple answer to this question is: Yes, WordPress uses HTML.
HTML is the foundation of all websites, so it stands to reason that WordPress would use HTML. In fact, every single line of code on a WordPress site is written in HTML. WordPress Uses a Combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to know how to code in HTML to create and manage your WordPress website. The whole point of using a CMS like WordPress is that they do the heavy lifting for you. WordPress has a built-in editor that enables you to create and edit your content without writing any code.
Of course, if you know how to code in HTML (or CSS or JavaScript), you can use that knowledge to customize your website beyond what the built-in editor allows. But it’s not necessary—you can still create a fully functioning website without writing a single line of code.
Pros and Cons of WordPress
While WordPress is a perfect platform for creating websites, it has its fair share of advantages and drawbacks. Let’s have a quick look at the pros and cons of building your website on WordPress.
Pros of WordPress
1. WordPress is free and open-source
This means that anyone can use WordPress to create a website or blog without having to pay any fees.
Additionally, there is a large developers community who contributes to improving WordPress, which means that new features are constantly being added and bugs are being fixed for free.
2. Ease of use
One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is its ease of use. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you can still create a beautiful website or blog using WordPress.
The platform comes with an intuitive interface and easy-to-use tools that make creating content a breeze.
3. Flexibility
WordPress is a highly flexible platform for creating and managing an effective website. It always comes in handy whether you want to create a simple blog or a complex website.
The platform also has thousands of themes and plugins to customize your site to suit your specific needs.
4. WordPress is cost-effective
Creating a website or blog from scratch can be expensive. You’ll need to pay for hosting, domain name, and design costs.
With WordPress, you can get started with a free or low-cost theme and host your site on a shared hosting or a WordPress hosting plan. This makes WordPress an affordable option for those on a tight budget.
5. WordPress is highly customizable
As mentioned, there are thousands of themes and plugins available for WordPress, which means that you can easily find one that fits your specific needs.
You can also hire a developer to create a custom theme or plugin for you if you cannot find anything that meets your requirements.
6. WordPress is SEO friendly
Since WordPress websites are well organized and easy to navigate, search engines like Google tend to rank them higher than other types of websites.
This means you’re more likely to get organic traffic from Google if you build your website on WordPress.
Cons of WordPress
1. Hidden costs
Despite WordPress being a free and open-source software, some hidden costs come with running a website on this popular CMS.
Some of the costs you’ll incur include buying a domain name, hosting, an SSL certificate, and buying premium themes and plugins.
2. Security issues
Since WordPress is such a popular platform, it’s often targeted by hackers looking for vulnerabilities they can exploit.
While there are ways to secure your WordPress site (e.g., by installing security plugins), note that no platform is 100% secure from hackers. Keep this in mind if you decide to use WordPress for your website or blog.
3. Poor performance
WordPress sites can sometimes be slow and sluggish due to all the code that runs behind the scenes. If you have a lot of plugins or complex themes, your site may load slowly and frustrate your visitors.
4. Technical knowledge
While WordPress is easy to use, it requires some technical knowledge to set it up correctly. For instance, you’ll need to know how to install WordPress on your web server and how to configure it properly for it to work correctly.
Pros and Cons of a Static HTML Website
A static HTML website is a site that uses only HTML code to deliver content to the user. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of static HTML websites.
Pros ofStatic HTML Websites
1. Simple and easy to develop
Static HTML websites are simple and easy to develop. There is no need for complicated software or platforms. All you need is a text editor and some basic knowledge of HTML code to create such a website.
2. They are easy to host
Static HTML websites can be hosted on any web server. You do not need to worry about special hosting requirements like you would with other types of websites.
3. Fast loading speed
Websites built with HTML code are fast and lightweight. They load quickly since they don’t need to process dynamic content on the server side. This gives your site visitors a fast and responsive website experience.
4. They are secure
Static HTML websites are more secure than other types of websites because there is no dynamic content that hackers can exploit.
This makes them an ideal choice for businesses that want to protect their data and their customer’s data from potential security threats.
The Cons of Static HTML Websites
1. Difficult to update
HTML websites are not well suited for sites that require frequent updates. This is because you need to manually update each HTML file whenever you want to change it, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
2. Require technical knowledge
If you want to develop a static HTML site, you’ll need some technical knowledge. This includes knowledge of HTML and CSS coding languages as well as some experience with text editors like Notepad ++ or Dreamweaver.
3. Less flexible
Once a static HTML site is developed, it can be difficult to make changes without having to recode the entire site from scratch. This can be frustrating for owners who want to make changes on their own without having to hire a developer every time.
4. Not for complex sites
Static HTML is probably not the best choice if your site needs complex functionality.
This is because they cannot access server-side resources like databases or scripting languages. As a result, they cannot support complex functionality like e-commerce or user registration forms.
Which OneShould You Pick?
As you can see, both HTML and WordPress have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages.
Ultimately the decision on which one to use depends on your specific needs and requirements and how much time and effort you’re willing to put into developing your website.
Of course, you can only go the HTML way if you know how to write HTML codes or don’t mind spending the time learning how to code.
Copyright © 2024 | Ahmed Kadry
Made with Caffeine