Static HTML vs WordPress: What to choose to build your website?

What do you think website development is all about coding? No, one needs to take various essential decisions and follow the process, which includes planning, designing, development, and testing.

Being a web developer, I won't deny that when it comes to building a website, we usually get confused about whether one should build a website from scratch or use any website-building platform. 

Obviously, if you go with the first choice, then you have to hire the best developer and proceed with web application development. To get the complete site, you have to spend a lot of time and effort. But, if you don't want to hire an agency, you have the option of building a website with the help of the best content management system. 

Choosing the best content management system, easy customization in the design of your site, adding multimedia in your posts, editing the underlying code, and many more. When we think of website development, then WordPress and HTML are two common platforms that people use to design websites. 

Are you also pondering over which option to go with for your business website? Go through this article and make the most of it. 

What is static HTML website? 

A static HTML site is made up of a library of HTML files; for each page on the site, there will be one HTML file. 

Whenever a visitor visits a static website, their browser simply makes a request to the server, and in reply, the server returns a single HTML file accompanying some style sheets and scripts as well to showcase the page in the browser. 

A static HTML page seems the same to every viewer and can only be updated if a programmer changes the HTML code themselves.

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a flexible content management system (CMS) that allows you to manage your site from a single user-friendly interface. 

It provides an environment where multiple users can create and run a website without coding from a single platform. When it comes to WordPress, then one major question that many people have is does WordPress uses HTML?

The short answer to this is YES.

But, if I explain this in detail, then it would be that "WordPress is not mainly written in HTML. WordPress core software and its plugins, themes are basically written with PHP, where PHP is a programming language that controls how a WordPress website interacts and connects with the database. 

Now, let's jump onto some points by going through which you can reach a conclusion. 

Difference between WordPress vs. HTML

WordPress vs. HTML: Speed

To make sure you provide a good user experience and minimum bounce rate on your website, you have to consider the speed while building your site. 

So, firstly let us compare the speed of WordPress and HTML websites.

WordPress Speed

The disadvantage of a WordPress site is that it requires PHP and a database which impacts the load time. 

Every time when a viewer lands on your website, your server has to execute the PHP code and get the information from your database to display the right data to the visitor because this needs more server resources than an HTML site, which increases the load time and delays.

However, by choosing a fast hosting provider, purchasing a content delivery network, optimizing and compressing the images, and taking other steps, you can speed up the WordPress site that will help you to meet users' expectations for speed and create professional website. 

HTML Speed

Unlike WordPress, HTML sites do not require PHP execution or database queries to load. So, it means that if their code is optimized, HTML sites are faster in comparison to WordPress sites.

WordPress vs. HTML: Ease of Use 

WordPress Usage

If you go with the WordPress option, then you have ownership over your site without doing any coding from scratch.

Yes, you can easily create and manage content, change your site's appearance very easily, and can extend its functionality via plugins as well.

HTML Usage

Performing simple tasks on WordPress such as addition and editing of the content, an extension of the functionality of your site, and changing its look will be much more difficult while building an HTML site. 

This is all because you do not have a dashboard with built-in features and buttons, plugins, or themes to automate these simple tasks. You yourself will have to write the HTML and CSS or pay someone to do the same.

WordPress vs. HTML: Price

The cost for the development of a website depends upon some factors, but the four major ones are time, budget, technical knowledge, and design skills. 

Below we'll be looking at the costs of creating and managing a website on WordPress and HTML.

WordPress Price

WordPress is open-source software, which is free to download and use. However, you have to pay for a custom domain name and hosting to launch your site. 

Although premium themes can cost you around $250 and the plugins can range from one-time fees of $2.99 to annually of $250. It is one of the most cheaper ways than hiring a web developer/designer to customize the appearance and functionality of your site.

HTML Price

Let's take into consideration the cost of creating an HTML site. Hiring an agency to create and design your website from scratch will be an expensive option, costing thousands of dollars. 

Estimation of the cost of maintaining an HTML website is even more difficult than estimating the cost of building one because it entirely depends on your coding abilities. If you do not have any coding skills, then you will have to pay a developer to make any changes to your site. Even simple tasks will cost you more.

Since you can add new information and perform most of the tasks without hiring a WordPress developer, managing an HTML website will end up costing much more than a WordPress site.

Conclusion 

Going with the one option from static HTML and WordPress is not a cakewalk. But hopefully, the points shared above will probably help you in making the right decision. Going with the best choice will transform your site appearance and make the website development task more simplified and productive. 

Always remember, choosing the right option is the foundation of your website. Despite being a free and open-source platform, WordPress is quite easy to use, has highly customizable sites, and has fast development. 

But there are chances that you might face maintaining issues. Also, you need a sharp learning curve if you want to use its advanced features.

Whereas HTML helps you to control everything on your site, but you need to know that it requires fewer backups and updates, more control over the site, and fewer resources. If you are a beginner in web development, then it might not be for you. Also, it is expensive. 

Hence, if you want to build a site that does not require any content change or updates, then static HTML is a good choice for you. But, WordPress is the perfect option to choose if you want to expand your website by adding content on a regular basis. Still, need any help? Feel free to contact us. 

                                                                                                                 Editor: Divya  Verma