Blog post

Static HTML vs WordPress CMS: What’s the difference? 

Date of post

8 July 2024

Read time

12 mins

So, you’re thinking about building a new website for yourself or a client. What route do you take? Static HTML or WordPress CMS? 

Developers, designers, and even agencies face this choice. In its simplest form, it comes down to personal preference, your capabilities, and your knowledge, both as a developer and about your client. 

Ask yourself: Can you write CSS or HTML code to build the site yourself (hats off to you if you can), or would it be better to take a middle ground and use a database CMS like WordPress?

This blog will help you make a decision. It covers common terms within the industry and some of the benefits and downsides of both methods for your web development project.

What’s the difference between WordPress and a static HTML website?

The code behind a WordPress and a static HTML website is very different, but from a front-end perspective, they look the same. So the question is, can you write the code yourself from scratch, or do you need a CMS and perhaps a visual builder to help you get there?

Putting an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) website together is time-consuming if you don’t know how to code. First, you’d have to go away and learn how to do it and maybe even work on some tester or staging builds until you feel fully comfortable with coding.

Developers and coding specialists take years to learn their trade, so jumping into this would be considered going in at the “deep end.”

However, due to the site’s structure, this method is considerably lighter-weight than a CMS, with no requirement for theme installations or bulky plugins that need regular maintenance, etc.

Here’s a snapshot of what HTML looks like (regardless of whether it was coded manually or built with a CMS)

A screenshot of HTML code

Using a CMS is a better option if you’re looking for a solid middle ground. WordPress is a fantastic CMS that allows you to customise your design, content, and code to suit your requirements.

You can also install visual builders like Divi, Bricks or Elementor to help design your front end. We’ve tried all three of these builders – they all have pros and cons, and perhaps I’ll write another blog soon to compare them for you, but let’s stay on track for now.

As a CMS, WordPress is quite simple and easy to use. Although the backend looks pretty basic, several plugins are available to make it look friendlier.

You could even use a white-label plugin to hide the fact that the CMS is WordPress. This is a perfect option if you don’t want your client to know you’re using WordPress or you want to make the CMS look branded to your business.

Essentially, the difference between static HTML and a CMS like WordPress is how the code is put together. Whether you create the code manually or use a CMS, the result is still the same!

What is a static HTML website?

A static HTML website would consist of a library of HTML files. You’d typically have one file per page on your website, accessed via a server or FTP connection to a database.

When a user lands on your HTML website, a request is sent to the server, which in turn returns the file, along with any styling or CSS information that goes with it. We sometimes refer to this as a style sheet that scripts the HTML on the front end.

The site would look the same for every visitor, but it’s possible to tweak it slightly to suit different users if required as part of the development process. 

However, changing HTML websites can be more time-consuming than using a CMS, especially if you can’t access the files. Let’s say you’ve worked with a developer who built your site using static HTML –  without a CMS to manage the change, you are reliant on the developer helping you. Depending on their availability, it could take some time to make any changes.

This is worth remembering if the person building your website suggests using a static HTML.  

What is a CMS?

A CMS (content management system) is a platform or form of software that helps you modify, create, and manage the content on your website without touching or writing any code. Behind the scenes, it uses a combination of CSS and PHP-based code.

If you want to create a new page or blog post on your website using WordPress (the most-used CMS), you can do this easily at the click of a button. The result will look the same as a static HTML page, but the CMS writes the code on your behalf. 

Screenshot of the WordPress 'posts' section which highlights the section for 'adding a new post'

You can also use the CMS to edit and modify previously published content. If anything changes, or you need to add new content to a post, that’s also a straightforward job with a CMS – again, you wouldn’t need to go into the HTML file to change the code.

It’s worth mentioning here that the design of your website (often referred to as the front end ) would have to be styled before the content is added. At the end of the day, you need your content to look good. A professional designer can help you with this part of the process, but if you’re just starting out, you can choose a theme from WordPress’s library and work with that as a starting point. When using a CMS, it’s always worth considering the design as part of this process. 

Why should I use WordPress as my CMS?

According to W3Techs, WordPress is behind almost 45% of websites on the Internet – that’s a pretty impressive stat. From a personal perspective, I always recommend WordPress to my clients.

It’s FREE and open-source 

First, WordPress is open-source, meaning the community that comes with it is enormous. And yes, the core installation is 100% FREE.

There are thousands of plugins and themes available in the WordPress library, which means you can do almost ANYTHING without ever having to touch a single line of code (perfect if you’re a designer with limited knowledge of HTML). That’s not to say downloading oodles of plugins is right, as it can make your site quite heavy.

You can easily install WordPress with most hosting providers at the click of a button.

It’s customisable and easy to use

All WordPress websites use what’s known as a theme. This defines the front-end design, i.e. how it looks when someone visits the website. It’s pretty easy to find new themes, and you can even upload themes found on third-party websites like Envato. If you know how you can even create your own theme, but this takes a little more work and would probably require an agency or freelancer.

It’s also very versatile from a core-function perspective too. For example, if you need an ecommerce facility, you can install a plugin like WooCommerce to manage your products online.

Screenshot taking from WordPress which shows some of the themes available to use.

Quicker development and easy to manage

With a CMS like WordPress, you’re not tied to a developer who has to ‘hard-code’ the HTML file. You can access the back end and edit to your heart’s content.

You can even delegate access to new users with different roles so they can add their content (this is helpful for SEO as part of Google’s new E-E-A-T algorithm).

It’s great for SEO growth

WordPress is a solid growth platform for your SEO strategy. Using a plugin called RankMath or Yoast SEO, you can easily manage your SEO efforts with access to technical areas such as schema, redirects, 404 monitoring, image optimisation, and more. 

Screenshot showing some of the features and functionality of Rank Math

Without a plugin, WordPress automatically generates meta-descriptions and excerpts based on the content you have created, making it even simpler when starting your SEO journey. 

You have full control of your website

WordPress gives you full access and control over your website and files, unlike other builders like Wix, Shopify, and Squarespace. Don’t get me wrong, these platforms are great for beginners who want to build websites quickly, but they’re not open-source like WordPress, and you have limited control over your database files, your data and in most cases, you’re tied into using the hosting provided by the builder.

As mentioned, you can edit and change things quickly by signing in and clicking a few buttons. If your site is designed with static HTML, and you don’t have FTP access to the lines of code or even know how to change it, then you’re tied to a developer and will almost always be charged for their time.

The pros and cons of static HTML and a CMS like WordPress

There are a number of pros and cons of static HTML development and using a content management system like WordPress; here’s my breakdown of the different attributes and the pros and cons for both methods.

AttributeStatic HTMLCMS (WordPress)
PerformanceStatic HTML pages usually load quickly because they don’t require server-side processing. This can result in a better UX and, in some cases, improved SEO rankings.WordPress sites can be optimised for performance using caching plugins, content delivery networks (CDNs), and other performance-enhancing tools. However, out-of-the-box performance may be slower due to server-side processing and database queries.
SecurityStatic HTML sites are less vulnerable to common web attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) since they do not involve databases or server-side scripts.WordPress regularly releases security updates, and numerous plugins are available to enhance security. However, using third-party plugins and themes can introduce vulnerabilities if not properly managed.
CustomisationStatic HTML gives you complete control over the code and design, allowing for highly customised and unique websites. Every aspect can be tailored to specific needs without relying on third-party software.WordPress offers extensive customisation through a wide variety of themes and plugins. Users can easily change the look and functionality of their site without needing to code. However, deep customisation requires knowledge of PHP and CSS.
CostStatic HTML sites generally have low ongoing costs, as there are no recurring fees for software or plugins. Once the site is built, hosting is usually inexpensive. However, maintaining the site could have high costs.While WordPress is free, premium themes and plugins can add to the cost. Additionally, more complex WordPress sites may require more robust (and expensive) hosting solutions.
SimplicityStatic HTML is straightforward to deploy and host, often requiring only a very basic web server. There are no databases to configure, and the setup process is relatively simple, too.WordPress offers a user-friendly interface for content management, making it easy for non-technical users to create and update content. The initial setup is also fairly straightforward, but managing many plugins and themes can become complex and time-consuming.
ScalabilityManaging and updating large static HTML sites can be challenging and time-consuming, as changes need to be made individually to each page. This can be frustrating, even more so if you rely on an external developer for simple changes.WordPress is designed to scale, with features like custom post types, taxonomies, and plugins that help manage large amounts of content. However, performance can suffer if not optimised properly, especially with loads of plugins installed to assist with this.
MaintenanceUpdating static HTML sites requires knowledge of HTML and CSS. Even small changes may need to be manually coded and uploaded to the server, which can be time-consuming.WordPress requires regular maintenance, including updates to the core files, installed themes, and plugins. Failure to keep these updated can lead to security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues.
FunctionalityStatic HTML is limited to the functionality that is manually coded. Adding dynamic features such as forms, search, or user authentication can be complex and require additional technologies like JavaScript or server-side scripting.WordPress has a vast library of plugins that can add almost any functionality imaginable, from eCommerce to forums and SEO tools. This allows users to easily extend their site’s capabilities without needing to code.
Content ManagementStatic HTML does not include any built-in tools for managing content. Each new page or post must be created and linked manually, making content updates cumbersome.WordPress is a fully-fledged content management system with tools for creating, editing, and organising your content. It supports user roles, categories, tags, and media management, making it ideal for any business.
SEOSEO optimisation in static HTML requires manual effort, such as editing meta tags, optimising images, and ensuring proper HTML structure. There are no automated tools to assist with SEO.WordPress has numerous SEO plugins that automate and simplify the process of optimising your site for search engines. These plugins can manage meta tags, sitemaps, and other SEO best practices, making it easier to improve search rankings.

What are the cost differences between static HTML and WordPress development?

The cost to build, design and develop your website comes down to several factors. There are four primary considerations here:

  • Your time
  • Budget
  • Technical knowledge
  • Design skills

If you have lots of time but no design skills, your site might not look the best, and the user experience won’t be up to scratch, which could cause high bounce rates. On the flip side, if you have lots of time but no technical knowledge, you could learn how to write static HTML code—how exciting!

CMS (WordPress) development and going solo

Looking at very rough costs, you can develop your own WordPress website without a professional designer for around £250. Though WordPress is free, the final price depends on how many plugins you install. There are thousands of free themes and plugins, but don’t forget to consider that some have additional subscription fees at anywhere between £5-£50/month, depending on the plugin’s function. 

CMS development with an agency or freelancer

On the other hand, if you were to use WordPress and hire a professional freelancer or agency, the costs could range between £1,500 and £5,000. This is hugely dependent on the website’s core functionality (eCommerce or brochure) and the number of pages, etc.

Static HTML development

Hiring an agency to build a website using this method will certainly be the most costly option and could cost upwards of £15,000. Hiring a freelancer could be much cheaper, but again, this is determined by the agency’s hourly rate and the duration of the project.

On average, for a website with ten pages, you could pay between £7,000 and £10,000 for a styled website created by a developer who manually codes it.

Which option is right for you: Static HTML or a CMS like WordPress?

I hope you’ve found this blog helpful! I’ve done my best to break down the differences between static HTML development and CMS websites. I’ve also covered why you might consider WordPress as your CMS, and the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Before you look at the pros and cons, ask yourself, “Do I know how to code?” If the answer is no, do you want to learn or have the time to learn how to do it properly?

Next, consider if you want to pay for a developer. If your answer to these questions is no, I recommend going the WordPress CMS route.

On the other hand, if you have a considerable budget and aren’t concerned with maintenance or learning how to code, a static HTML website might be the best option.

Remember, whichever route you choose, your website is an investment. Always prioritise your user’s experience and never sacrifice functionality for form. Your user is a critical aspect in this process.

Post author

A true creative at heart, Tom loves using his expertise in design to connect brands with people. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a degree in product design. In 2021, he merged his own creative design agency, OLO Design with Marketing Labs to create a full-service digital marketing agency.

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