Why more and more customers are choosing frameworks rather than WordPress - and in which cases a CMS is still justified

In recent years, web development customers have increasingly shifted away from using WordPress and other template CMS. The reason is that business tasks are becoming more complex, the requirements are higher, and the ‘site by template’ approach is no longer able to solve strategic goals. Nevertheless, WordPress is still a relevant and effective platform today - if used in the right context.

WordPress: when ‘good enough’ really is enough

WordPress is the leader in terms of installations worldwide among CMSs. And that's no accident. It is optimal when a project doesn't require unique logic, high performance or deep integration with other systems. Its main strengths are:

• Fast launch - a site can be deployed in 1-2 days, especially when using a ready-made theme.
• Low entry threshold - for both developers and administrators. You can train a content manager to manage it in a couple of hours.
• Cheap - thousands of specialists on the market and a sea of ready-made solutions reduce the cost of startup and support.
• Flexibility in simple frameworks - through plugins you can implement anything - but only if it is standard tasks.
• Big community - many guides, forums, documentation and developers around the world.

Perfect cases for WordPress:

• Landings
• Blogs and media
• Portfolios
• Corporate websites without personal accounts
• Simple online shops on WooCommerce

Why customers are moving to frameworks en masse

When it comes to developing a digital product - not just a website - WordPress and CMS are losing their competitive edge. Businesses require:

• Speed and resilience;
• Scalability under load;
• Security and compliance with legal requirements (e.g. GDPR or 152-FZ);
• Integration with back-end systems;
• Permanent rework and expansion;
• Control over architecture and performance.

It is these requests that push customers to develop on modern frameworks - Laravel, Symfony, Django, Nest.js, Express.js, Next.js, and others.

Advantages of frameworks in the eyes of the customer:

1. Customisation for business
   You can implement unique logic, built-in calculators, complex forms, user interaction, dynamic content generation, modular architecture and much more - without crutches and compromises.
2. Fast performance
   Frameworks do not load the site with unnecessary things - only what is really needed. This allows to achieve high loading speed and fast response of interfaces.
3. Flexible integration
   Frameworks can easily connect with any external APIs and services: payment gateways, CRM, ERP, cloud storage, BI-systems, etc.
4. Security and control
   The system is created from scratch and under full control of developers. The absence of vulnerable plugins and outdated solutions reduces the risk of hacks and leaks.
5. Scalability and support for growth
   Frameworks allow you to easily scale your project - break it into microservices, deploy it in the cloud, set up CI/CD processes, use caching and task queues.
6. Serious image
   For companies that want to show their technological maturity and serious approach to IT infrastructure, custom development on a framework looks more professional than a ‘template-based’ solution.

Examples of tasks that are better solved on a framework:

• Personal account with different roles and access levels
• Online services and calculators (e.g. tax calculation, investments, etc.). )
• SaaS platforms
• Online courses with progress tracking system
• E-commerce with unique purchase logic, logistics, bonuses, integrations
• Portals with APIs, mobile apps and social media authorisation systems
• CRM, ERP or internal dashboards for employees

Cost and deadlines: the illusion of saving money

Customers often think that WordPress is cheap. And at the start, it really is. However, over time:

• Customising non-standard functionality ‘against the system’ requires crutches;
• Plugin updates can ‘break’ compatibility;
• The site starts to slow down due to the clutter of plugins and scripts;
• Support and rework becomes more and more expensive.

A project on a framework is more expensive at the start, but it wins in the long run. Maintaining, scaling and improving it is easier and cheaper in the long run.

Conclusion

The demand for frameworks is growing because customers are increasingly looking for a tool to solve specific business problems rather than just a website. WordPress remains a great choice for simple and fast solutions - but once a project requires customisation, growth and security, custom development on frameworks becomes a natural and justified choice.