Hundreds of new websites are created every day with WordPress, but not everyone rushes to use it with the same enthusiasm. Every once in a while you may come across web designers and developers expressing their mixed feelings about the tool – some even refuse to work with it altogether. Why is there bad blood between WordPress and professionals who deal with websites every day? With the community becoming ever more varied and extensive, it’s only fair to consider the viewpoints of both sides – the critics and supporters.
1. Code’s stuck in the past
One of the most frequently cited accusations is WordPress’s extensive and somewhat legacy codebase. Over the years, WordPress has evolved significantly, but much of its underlying architecture still remains rooted in outdated coding practices. As a result, we can observe a clash between what professionals would expect of such a platform, and what they actually get.
Yes, but… WordPress is regularly updated with new features and performance improvements, and the large developer community actively works on optimizing the code. Maintaining backward compatibility ensures that existing sites and customizations remain functional, which supports a diverse range of use cases.
2. Themes that are not to be messed with
Another major pain point is the challenge of customizing themes. While WordPress offers thousands of ready-made options, tailoring them to specific needs may be more complicated than it initially seems. This is because beneath the surface such pre-built themes can have very intricate structures, which means that even small tweaks that you decide to introduce may be the source of trouble. The examples are some layout issues, visual inconsistencies, or loss of functionality upon the release of a new version of WordPress.
Yes, but… Many themes come with comprehensive documentation and strong community support, which can guide users through customization challenges. Additionally, regular updates to well-maintained themes ensure compatibility with new WordPress versions, reducing potential issues.
3. Too many plugins spoil a website
WordPress’s massive selection of plugins is no doubt a blessing, but sometimes it can also be a curse. On the plus side, plugins make it easy to add new features to your site without needing to know how to code. On the other hand, they are created by different developers with varying levels of skill and coding standards, so not all of them always play well together. And here’s where things get tricky: the more plugins you add, the more likely you are to run into problems, like slow performance of your site, security risks and multiple compatibility conflicts.
Yes, but… Many popular plugins go through a thorough review process to ensure they meet high standards of quality and security. Testing plugins in a staging environment, and utilizing best strategies to optimize site performance (e.g. using caching solutions and improving database queries), can significantly reduce the risk of issues.
4. Staying safe, but with a headache
Security is a big concern for WordPress users because its popularity makes it a prime target for hackers. In order to keep your website safe, you should stay on top of regular updates, which requires ongoing effort, attention, and technical know-how. Although automatic updates are the optimal solution here, the problem arises when they don’t work as smoothly as you’d hope, for instance, leaving some risky gaps in protection.
Yes, but… Regular updates to the WordPress core, themes, and plugins include crucial security patches to address vulnerabilities. Additionally, many hosting providers offer managed WordPress services with built-in security features and automated updates. By following best practices, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly backing up data, you can greatly reduce the risk of security breaches.
5. Heavy loads, slow performance
WordPress performs adequately for small to medium-sized websites, but scaling up to handle large amounts of traffic can be a real challenge. As your site grows, especially for eCommerce or heavy applications, it needs more resources. Without proper optimization, WordPress can become sluggish when there’s an increase in the number of visitors. Developers then have to invest significant time and effort into optimizing databases, caching content, and fine-tuning server configurations.
Yes, but… WordPress offers various scalability tools, such as load balancing, content delivery networks (CDNs), and scalable cloud hosting options, which help handle high traffic efficiently. Advanced caching mechanisms, including object and page caching, can also significantly enhance performance under load. Many managed WordPress hosting providers specialize in supporting high-traffic sites with optimized infrastructure and dedicated support.
The bottom line is, every platform has their own technical debts and challenges. Comparing WordPress’s issues with those of other CMS solutions quickly reveals that WordPress is not uniquely problematic but rather part of the broader field of evolving web technologies. Importantly, even with all mentioned issues factored in, WordPress remains widely regarded as one of the most versatile, feature-rich and flexible tools available for building all kinds of websites. Whether you’re looking to set up a personal blog, launch an eCommerce store, or create a complex online marketplace, WordPress simply has got you covered. That seems to be a foundation solid enough to build on.
In order to secure its current dominant position on the market, it’s crucial for hosting providers to equip users with the right tools and support to smoothly navigate all the complexities, and take full advantage of WordPress’s numerous strengths. We know these strengths well at PanelAlpha, and yes, we do build on them.
Comments