Introduction
Choosing the right technology stack for your business website is a strategic decision. WordPress and Next.js are two popular options, but they serve different needs. Understanding their strengths and limitations helps you match your goals with the platform.
WordPress overview
WordPress remains the world’s most widely used content management system, powering over 40% of all websites. It is easy to install, offers thousands of plugins and themes, and allows non‑technical users to publish content quickly. For blogs, small business sites and news portals, it is a cost‑effective choice. However, WordPress can suffer from performance and security issues if not optimised, and its monolithic architecture may limit scalability.
Next.js overview
Next.js is a modern React framework designed for building fast, scalable and SEO‑friendly applications. It provides static generation and server‑side rendering out of the box, supports headless CMS integrations and enables highly customisable user experiences. Next.js sites excel in performance, security and flexibility but require developer expertise and a separate CMS for content editing.
Performance and SEO comparison
When comparing performance and SEO, Next.js outperforms WordPress. Static and server‑rendered pages load faster, improving core web vitals and search rankings. In a 2025 comparison, Next.js leads in speed, security and scalability, while WordPress scores higher in ease of use.
Cost and maintenance
WordPress sites are inexpensive to launch but often require ongoing plugin updates, security patches and optimisation. Next.js projects have a higher upfront cost because developers must build the frontend and integrate a CMS. However, long‑term maintenance is lower due to better performance and fewer dependencies.
Case study: Our decision
We evaluated both platforms when planning our new blog. The team considered WordPress for its quick setup and plugin ecosystem but opted for a headless Next.js architecture to gain more control over performance and design. By decoupling the frontend from the CMS, We achieved faster load times, stronger security and a modern React interface, while editors continued to use a familiar CMS for content.
Choosing the right platform
Select WordPress if you need to get a basic site online quickly, have a limited budget or prefer to manage content without developer involvement. Choose Next.js if your business requires high performance, custom design, scalability or integration with other applications.
Conclusion
Both WordPress and Next.js have their place. For us, investing in a custom Next.js site delivered long‑term benefits in speed, SEO and user experience. The right choice depends on your team’s skills, budget and business goals.