My dad has been running a local business with a WordPress site that's 20 years old. I'm not super familiar with WordPress, but he wants me to update the site by adding features like mobile responsiveness and a gallery for events. I usually work with Next.js, React, and Tailwind, so I'm debating whether I should stick with WordPress and learn it, or migrate to newer technologies. What do you all think?
6 Answers
If you have the time and want to optimize things more, using your own tech stack could be beneficial. But keep in mind that WordPress has made significant strides, especially with plugins like Elementor that can help with design. If speed is your priority and the site is simple, WordPress is still a great option.
You might want to suggest your dad hire a professional. They could help streamline the process and ensure everything is up to date.
If you're unsure about it, I'd suggest sticking with WordPress but upgrade it to the latest version. It's familiar for your dad, which is key. If the site isn't too complex, you can definitely manage it and adding mobile responsiveness and a gallery shouldn't be too hard. Remember, sometimes keeping things simple is the best way to go!
Honestly, I would just learn WordPress and go with it. It's not too difficult to pick up, and there are lots of templates and tools like Elementor that can simplify the process for you. Building a custom solution with React could be great, but it might be overkill unless you’re going to maintain it actively.
I'd totally recommend sticking with WordPress. It's been reliable for your dad for 20 years, and switching would just complicate things. Plus, building a custom CMS from scratch to match what WordPress provides would be way more work for no real benefit.
Professionals can usually spot issues and optimize better. They save time and can handle the tech side more effectively.