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Hand-coding is our first choice: it gives the fastest, leanest sites. But if you want to edit every page yourself, or run a straightforward shop, we’ll build on WordPress or Shopify with the same care.
01Which to choose
An honest comparison. The right answer depends on who will update the site, how often, and what it needs to do.
| Feature | Hand-coded Our lead | WordPress | Shopify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Brochure, band and service sites that change occasionally | Sites with lots of pages or news you update often | Online shops of most sizes |
| Editing | Simple editing added where needed, or changes through a care plan | Edit any page yourself | Manage products, orders and pages yourself |
| Speed | Fastest: nothing loads that isn’t needed | Fast with care; plugins can slow it down | Fast, with care over apps and theme code |
| Running costs | Hosting only | Hosting, plus any premium plugins | Shopify subscription, plus any paid apps |
| Upkeep | Very little | Regular core and plugin updates | Platform updates handled by Shopify |
WordPress
A custom WordPress theme, designed for your business, with editing set up around your content rather than a page builder full of options you’ll never use.
Shopify
A bespoke Shopify theme on a platform that handles payments, stock and security. For larger catalogues or complex rules, see our e-commerce page.
Tell us who will update the site and how often. We’ll recommend the simplest option that works.
