Why We Don't Use WordPress: The Case for Custom Django Development
If you ask 100 web agencies to build you a website, 95 of them will offer you the same thing: A WordPress theme, a handful of plugins, and a monthly maintenance fee to keep it all from breaking.
WordPress powers 40% of the internet. It is a fantastic tool for blogs and simple brochure sites. But when it comes to building high-performance, secure, and scalable business applications, we believe there is a better way.
At Custom Coded Websites, we build exclusively with Django (Python). We don't use templates, and we don't rely on plugins. Here is why choosing a custom-coded route is the smartest investment for your growing business.
1. Speed: The "Bloat" Problem
The biggest issue with template-based sites (like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace) is Code Bloat.
A WordPress theme is designed to work for everyone—pizza shops, law firms, and gyms. To do this, it loads thousands of lines of code and features that you don't actually need. This "bloat" slows your site down significantly.
The Custom Advantage
When we code a site in Django, we start with a blank sheet. If your site doesn't need a comment section, we don't load the code for one. If you don't need a shopping cart, it isn't there.
The result? Lightning-fast load times, "Green" scores on Google PageSpeed Insights, and better SEO rankings. Google loves lean, fast code.
2. Security: Stop Relying on Plugins
WordPress is the most hacked CMS in the world. This isn't necessarily because the core software is bad, but because of Plugins.
To add features to a WordPress site (like a contact form or SEO tool), you install plugins written by third-party developers. If just one of those plugins is abandoned or has a security flaw, your entire site becomes vulnerable to hackers.
The Django Advantage
Django is the framework used by Instagram, Pinterest, and NASA. It takes security incredibly seriously. It comes with built-in protection against common attacks (like SQL Injection and CSRF) out of the box.
Because we custom code your features rather than installing random plugins, the "attack surface" of your website is tiny compared to a WordPress site.
3. Scalability: Built for Growth
Template sites are great for getting started, but they often crumble under pressure.
Imagine you want to add a complex feature later on—for example, an automated PDF generator for legal documents (like we built for UK Name Change) or a bespoke booking system for a tradesman.
In WordPress, you would have to find a plugin that does exactly that (which rarely exists) or try to hack together three different tools. With custom Python code, we can build anything.
Your website should adapt to your business logic, not the other way around.
4. Maintenance: The "Update Nightmare"
If you have owned a WordPress site, you know the fear of clicking the "Update" button. Often, updating a theme breaks a plugin, or updating a plugin breaks the design.
This leads to the "Frankenstein" effect, where business owners are terrified to touch their own website for fear of bringing it down.
Custom-coded sites are stable. Because we control the codebase, updates are managed and tested. We don't have to worry about a third-party plugin developer suddenly changing their pricing or abandoning their code.
Conclusion: Is Custom Right for You?
We aren't saying WordPress is bad. If you have a budget of £500 and just need a blog, it’s a great choice.
But if your website is the engine of your business—if you handle customer data, process payments, or need custom functionality—you need something stronger.
Choose Custom Coded Websites if:
- You want a site that loads instantly.
- You need specific features that plugins can't provide.
- You are serious about security and protecting user data.
- You want a digital asset that adds value to your company.
Ready to Upgrade?
Stop fighting with templates. Let’s build a digital platform that actually works for your business.
Contact us today to discuss your project.