Which one is "better" depends on what you need. Here’s what actually separates them, so you can choose based on your business.
Ready-made building blocks
WordPress / template
WordPress is a content management system: a theme controls the look, while plugins add extra features.
- A wide choice of themes and plugins
- You can update the content yourself
- Your theme affects how easily the site can be customised
Custom development
Hand-coded
The design and functionality are built around your business, without a ready-made page template.
- Custom design and functionality
- Detailed control over which code loads
- Admin panel on request, so you can edit your content without a developer
A point-by-point comparison
| Consideration | WordPress / template | Hand-coded |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Ready-made themes and plugins can make setup quick. | Custom design and development can take more work. |
| Design | The chosen theme can be adapted, but may have limitations. | The layout and details can be shaped around your needs. |
| Content updates | Text and images can be edited in an admin panel. | On request, an admin panel can be built, so you can edit text and images yourself, no developer needed. |
| Speed | Depends on the theme, plugins and optimisation. | Precise control over the code that loads; implementation still matters. |
| Maintenance | WordPress, themes and plugins need updates. | Custom code and external tools need upkeep too. |
Where custom code can help
Speed
A hand-coded site gives you precise control over which code loads. A WordPress theme or plugin may load code a particular page doesn't need. Either approach can be fast, the implementation matters too.
Security
Outdated themes and plugins can create security risks. A simple hand-coded site may use fewer external components, which can mean fewer updates. The custom code and any tools it uses still need security checks.
No fighting the theme
If a WordPress theme doesn't quite do what you want, customising it can take longer than building the feature from scratch. With a hand-coded site, the design and functionality can be shaped around your needs from the start.
Technical SEO
Clear HTML and fast loading provide a good technical foundation for SEO. Custom code gives you detailed control over both, but neither approach guarantees good search rankings on its own.
What does it typically cost?
WordPress / template
£350 – £800Typical price when a freelancer or agency sets up a theme-based site. A DIY template can cost less, but the costs of hosting, premium themes and plugins add up.
Hand-coded, elsewhere
£900 – £2,200Typical price for a custom-designed, hand-coded site from a freelancer or small agency. Bigger, more complex sites and custom software can cost more, roughly £2,200 – £6,500.
Amethyst Nexalune Web Design
from £290Hand-coded by Amethyst Nexalune Web Design, no templates or page builders, at a fraction of the usual custom-code price. The final figure is agreed in writing before I start.
Packages and pricing →These examples give a rough idea of costs; they are not a price list or a quote, the real price depends on the scope and who builds the site.
There’s more to the cost than the initial build
Both approaches need maintenance
Both approaches need maintenance after launch. WordPress itself, the theme, and plugins need regular updates, skipping them can increase security risks, while updating without testing can leave something broken. A hand-coded site's tools and features need upkeep too. That's a recurring cost that's easy to underestimate when you only compare the initial build quotes.
More about website costs →Amethyst Nexalune Web Design
Hand-coded websites from
£290I build your pages without templates or website builders. The starting package is for simpler websites; we agree on the final price based on the features you need.
Packages and pricing →How I build your website
- ConsultationWe talk through your goals and the features you need.
- QuoteWe agree on the work, price and timeline in writing.
- DesignYou review and approve the proposed design.
- BuildI develop the site and show you progress along the way.
- LaunchAfter testing, we launch the site and discuss ongoing support.
Which fits your business?
WordPress can be a good fit if…
- you update text and images often
- you want to manage content yourself
- an existing theme and its available features meet your needs
Consider custom code if…
- you need a custom design or functionality
- detailed technical control matters to you
- you want development to follow your own workflows
Weigh up the build cost, day-to-day use and future maintenance when deciding.