Should You Switch to WordPress for SEO & UX?
In today’s digital world, your website isn’t just a digital brochure—it’s your growth engine. So if you’re still using a custom HTML website, you might be wondering: Should I move to WordPress for better SEO and user experience?
Let’s break it down.
SEO: WordPress vs. Custom HTML
WordPress SEO Pros
SEO-Friendly Structure
WordPress creates clean URLs, organized headings, and built-in metadata fields.
Powerful Plugins
Tools like Yoast SEO or RankMath help optimize pages, content, and schema without code.
Responsive Themes
Most themes are mobile-friendly by default—great for mobile search rankings.
Always Updated
Core updates and plugin improvements help keep your site aligned with Google’s algorithm changes.
WordPress SEO Cons
Slower Load Times (if bloated)
Too many plugins or heavy themes can slow your site down.
Not a Shortcut for Strategy
WordPress supports SEO—but keyword research, link building, and content still need work.
Custom HTML SEO Pros
Lean & Fast
Minimal code = fast load times, which helps with rankings.
Full Technical Control
You can structure every element of the site to meet your exact SEO goals.
Custom HTML SEO Cons
Manual Updates
Editing meta tags or adding alt text requires digging into code.
No SEO Tools
Everything is manual—no plugins, no automation.
User Experience (UX): WordPress vs. Custom HTML
WordPress UX Pros
Easy Edits
Anyone on your team can update content—no developer required.
UX-Boosting Plugins
Forms, live chat, sliders, and popups are plug-and-play.
Themes Built with UX in Mind
Many themes are built using current design best practices: hierarchy, spacing, responsiveness.
Scalable & Flexible
Add pages, blogs, and features as your business grows.
WordPress UX Cons
Design Can Get Messy
Without a clear system, using too many plugins or themes can hurt your UX.
Slight Learning Curve
The dashboard may feel overwhelming for non-tech users at first.
Custom HTML UX Pros
Tailor-Made Design
Every interaction is custom-built to match your brand and exact needs.
Speed & Simplicity
No third-party code means snappy user experience.
Custom HTML UX Cons
Hard to Update
Even changing text or uploading an image often requires a developer.
Not Content-Friendly
Adding blog posts or new pages isn’t quick or intuitive.
Final Verdict: Should You Switch?
Choose WordPress if you:
- Need a site that’s easy to manage
- Want to improve SEO without deep technical work
- Want flexibility to grow your content and features
Stick with Custom HTML if you:
- Have a highly specialized site
- Don’t plan on frequent updates
- Have a dev team maintaining everything
Need Help Migrating?
At Virtual Bears, we help businesses migrate to WordPress without the headache. Our team handles everything—from design to launch—so you can focus on growing your business.
Let’s talk about your website goals today.