Next.js vs Traditional Websites: When to Choose Which Technology?

When building a new website, choosing the right technology is an important decision. In this guide, we compare Next.js with traditional approaches like WordPress and static HTML.

What is Next.js?

Next.js is a modern React framework for building websites and web applications. It combines the power of React with additional features such as:

• Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Pages are generated on the server
• Static Site Generation (SSG): Pages are created during the build process
• Automatic code splitting: Only necessary code is loaded
• Built-in optimizations: Images, fonts, and scripts are automatically optimized

Benefits of Next.js

Performance

• Extremely fast load times through pre-rendering
• Automatic image optimization
• Minimal JavaScript in the browser

SEO

• Fully server-rendered HTML
• Metadata management out-of-the-box
• Fast Core Web Vitals scores

Developer Experience

• Hot reloading during development
• TypeScript support
• Modular component structure

Scalability

• Easy to extend with API routes
• Serverless deployment possible
• No database needed for simple sites

Traditional Websites

WordPress

WordPress is the most widely used CMS in the world, with approximately 40% market share.

Advantages:

• User-friendly admin panel
• Thousands of themes and plugins
• Large community and support
• No programming knowledge needed for basic use

Disadvantages:

• Performance can suffer from plugins
• Security risks with poor maintenance
• Dependent on hosting for speed
• Database required

Static HTML/CSS

Pure HTML websites are the simplest form of web development.

Advantages:

• Maximum control
• No runtime dependencies
• Extremely secure
• Cheap to host

Disadvantages:

• No CMS functionality
• Manual maintenance
• Not scalable for large sites
• Harder to update

When to Choose Next.js?

Next.js is ideal for:

1. Performance-critical websites

When load time and Core Web Vitals are crucial for your business:

• E-commerce where every second counts
• News/media websites with high traffic
• Marketing sites where SEO is a priority

2. Complex web applications

Sites with interactive features:

• Dashboards and admin panels
• Booking systems
• E-learning platforms
• SaaS products

3. Scalability required

Projects that need to grow:

• Startups with growth plans
• Companies with multiple markets
• Sites with varying traffic loads

4. Development team available

When you have access to developers:

• Internal development team
• Collaboration with an agency
• Technical founder

When to Choose WordPress?

WordPress remains a good choice for:

1. Blog-focused websites

• Personal blogs
• News websites
• Content-heavy sites

2. Limited budget

• Small businesses
• Non-profits
• MVPs and prototypes

3. Non-technical owner

• When the owner wants to manage content themselves
• No budget for development maintenance
• Quick changes needed

4. Known plugin requirements

• WooCommerce for webshops
• Specific booking plugins
• Existing WordPress integrations

Comparison Table

| Aspect | Next.js | WordPress | Static HTML | |--------|---------|-----------|-------------| | Performance | Excellent | Moderate | Good | | SEO | Excellent | Good | Good | | Maintenance | Low | High | Minimal | | Flexibility | High | Medium | High | | Learning Curve | Steep | Low | Medium | | Hosting Costs | Low | Medium | Low | | Security | High | Medium | High | | CMS Available | Optional | Yes | No |

Hybrid Approaches

Headless WordPress + Next.js

Combine the best of both worlds:

• WordPress as CMS for content management
• Next.js as frontend for performance
• API connection between both

Advantages:

• Editors use familiar interface
• Frontend benefits from Next.js advantages
• Decoupled architecture for flexibility

Disadvantages:

• More complex setup
• Two systems to maintain
• Higher initial budget

Next.js with Headless CMS

Alternatives to WordPress:

• Sanity: Flexible and developer-friendly
• Contentful: Enterprise-grade CMS
• Strapi: Open-source headless CMS
• Prismic: Optimized for marketing teams

Cost Comparison

Next.js Website

One-time costs:

• Development: Higher initial budget
• Design: Comparable

Ongoing costs:

• Hosting: EUR 0-50/month (Vercel, Cloudflare)
• Maintenance: Minimal
• Updates: When new features are needed

WordPress Website

One-time costs:

• Development: Lower to medium
• Theme/plugins: EUR 0-500

Ongoing costs:

• Hosting: EUR 5-100/month
• Maintenance: Regular updates
• Plugins: Annual licenses
• Security: Extra attention needed

Migration Considerations

From WordPress to Next.js

Reasons to migrate:

• Performance problems
• Security incidents
• Scalability limits
• Modern development workflow

Migration steps:

1. Export content
2. Build new frontend
3. Set up SEO redirects
4. Testing and launch

From Next.js to WordPress

Rarely needed, but possible when:

• Team changes
• Budget shrinks
• Simpler needs

Our Recommendation

At Robuust Marketing, we advise based on your specific situation:

Choose Next.js when:

• Performance and SEO are top priority
• You have a development partner
• Scalability is important
• You are willing to invest in quality

Choose WordPress when:

• Budget is limited
• You want to manage content yourself without help
• Fast launch is needed
• Blog is the main function

Conclusion

There is no "best" choice - only the right choice for your situation. Next.js offers superior performance and scalability but requires technical expertise. WordPress is more accessible but requires more maintenance.

We are happy to help you make the right choice. Contact us for a free consultation.

Related Articles

• React Fundamentals - The technology behind Next.js
• Website Performance Optimization - Speed in detail
• What Does a Professional Website Cost - Price indications