I'm currently working on a directory website that lists businesses across various cities, similar to a modern version of Yellow Pages, and I need some insights. My setup has evolved from using Supabase for the backend to WordPress with Advanced Custom Fields (ACF). Initially, I found Supabase manageable, but as I started adding custom taxonomies and needed better control over my data display, it became challenging. Switching to WordPress, I've utilized ACF to organize information like business details, categories, and reviews, while I'm using Next.js for the frontend, pulling data via the WordPress REST API. Despite creating a couple of custom plugins for tasks like bulk imports, I'm nervous about how the site will perform once the number of business listings exceeds 10,000. Currently, I have around 2,000 entries, and I'm starting to notice slower query times with more complex filters. Given my use case, do you think the WordPress REST API can manage this kind of load long-term, or should I consider other CMS options? I'd appreciate any tips or experiences you might have about scaling with WordPress or making my setup more robust.
5 Answers
Honestly, I found WordPress a bit slow for bigger projects. I've switched to other solutions that offer more flexibility and speed for larger sites. You might want to consider other headless CMS options like Sanity.io that could cater better to your needs in the long run.
I've seen WordPress effectively used for large government portals, and they’ve held up well over the years. If it can handle a national revenue authority's website, I think it might suit your needs too, but keep an eye on performance as you scale.
Hardware and database tuning can work wonders for performance issues. If you feel like you need to migrate later, do it when it makes sense financially for your project.
From my experience, WordPress can handle large sites quite well if set up correctly. Most performance issues usually come from cheap hosting or poorly optimized plugins. Stick with your current stack and monitor performance as you grow. When you hit traffic, that's when you'll identify real bottlenecks and can optimize appropriately.
While WordPress isn’t an enterprise-level CMS, it can go a long way for the applications you’ve described. Make sure not to overextend with plugins—once you hit high traffic, the simpler your setup, the better it'll run.
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