Your business needs something online, but what exactly? A WordPress website or a custom web app? Both can look great and work well, but they solve different problems. In this article we compare the two so you can choose with confidence, without the technical jargon.
What is a WordPress website?
WordPress is the most widely used website platform in the world. Combined with a page builder like Elementor, it lets you create a professional website that you can update yourself: text, images, pages and blog posts. It’s ideal for presenting your business, showing your work and getting found on Google.
What is a custom web app?
A web app is software that runs in the browser, built for a specific task. Think of a booking system, a customer portal, a dashboard for your orders or a tool that replaces a pile of spreadsheets. At Lekker Creative we build web apps with Angular and Firebase, Google’s platform for secure logins, real-time data and hosting.
WordPress vs. custom web app at a glance
| WordPress website | Custom web app | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Presenting your business, services, portfolio, blog | Bookings, portals, dashboards, internal tools |
| Cost | Lower starting cost | Higher starting cost |
| Time to launch | Usually a few weeks | Usually longer, depending on features |
| Edit it yourself | Yes, easily | Content yes, features via a developer |
| SEO | Excellent out of the box | Possible, needs extra attention |
| Flexibility | Huge, through plugins | Unlimited, built exactly to your needs |
When to choose a WordPress website
- You want to show who you are and what you offer
- You want to be found on Google for your services
- You want to edit text, photos and pages yourself
- You need standard features like contact forms, a blog or a web shop
For most small businesses, this is the right starting point. See our WordPress web design service for what’s included.
When to choose a custom web app
- Your process doesn’t fit into standard plugins or software
- Customers or staff need to log in and work with their own data
- You’re spending hours on manual work that could be automated
- You want to offer your own online product or tool
Read more about our custom web app development with Angular and Firebase.
Or combine both
Many businesses get the best of both worlds: a WordPress website to attract visitors through Google, with a web app for the specific tool they need, for example a booking system on a subdomain. Visitors experience it as one smooth whole.
What about the cost?
A web app is usually a bigger investment than a website, but it can save time every single day. For typical price ranges, read our guide on how much a website costs in the Netherlands. And whichever you choose, make sure people can find it; our local SEO tips help with that.
Still not sure?
Tell us what you want to achieve and we’ll give you honest advice, even if the answer is “you don’t need anything custom”. We’re a small studio in Zandvoort working with businesses across the Netherlands. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat.
