Next.js or WordPress? What to Choose for Business Website in 2025

Technology choice for a business website in 2025 is a crucial decision impacting performance, SEO, and maintenance costs. WordPress still dominates with 43% market share, but Next.js is gaining popularity thanks to modern architecture and better performance.

Performance and Loading Speed

Next.js offers Server-Side Rendering and Static Site Generation, translating to significantly better performance than traditional solutions. Sites built in Next.js load on average in under 2 seconds, while WordPress often needs 3-5 seconds. Lighthouse Score above 90 points is standard in Next.js thanks to automatic image optimization with next/image component and code splitting that loads only needed code.

WordPress, on the other hand, requires additional optimization because heavy themes can slow down the site, plugins often conflict with each other and burden the server. Databases require regular optimization, and hosting must be properly configured for performance.

SEO and Google Rankings

Next.js is SEO-friendly by nature, offering dynamically generated meta tags, easy structured data implementation, and automatically generated sitemap.xml. Loading speed as a key ranking factor in Google is a significant advantage here, as is mobile-first responsive design, which is standard in Next.js.

// Example meta tags in Next.js
export async function generateMetadata({ params }) {
    return {
        title: "Your Business Website",
        description: "SEO optimized description",
        openGraph: {
            title: "Your Business Website",
            description: "Description for social media",
        },
    };
}

WordPress, on the other hand, needs SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath, meaning additional server load. Caching plugins are also required for performance, additional image optimization tools, and schema markup often requires manual configuration.

Security and Maintenance

Next.js offers a modern approach to security, especially with Static Site Generation, where lack of database significantly reduces attack surface. Automatic updates through platforms like Vercel or Netlify, default HTTPS, and secure environment variable management for sensitive data are standard features.

WordPress, on the other hand, is the target of 43% of all website attacks due to its popularity. It requires regular plugin and theme updates, continuous security monitoring, backups, and implementation of strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Maintenance Costs in 2025

Next.js offers predictable costs with hosting from $0 to $100 monthly on platforms like Vercel or Netlify, no software licenses, and minimal maintenance requirements. Developer costs are higher ($50-150 per hour), but fewer hours are needed.

WordPress has seemingly lower initial costs, but hidden expenses quickly accumulate. VPS or managed WordPress hosting costs $20-200 monthly, premium plugin licenses are $100-500 annually, and regular maintenance requires 2-5 hours monthly. WordPress developers are cheaper ($30-100 per hour), but projects often require more time.

When to Choose Next.js?

Next.js is the ideal choice when performance is a priority, you need modern design and care about high SEO score. It also works when you have budget for professional development and want a scalable solution that will grow with your business.

When to Stay with WordPress?

WordPress works when budget is limited and you need quick deployment. If your team already knows WordPress, you require a complex content management system, or have a lot of content to manage, WordPress may be a better choice.

Migration from WordPress to Next.js

Migration plan includes five key stages, starting with audit of current site with content and functionality analysis. Then we export content via API or manually, design new architecture with components and routing. Development phase typically lasts 4-8 weeks, ending with deployment with tests and 301 redirects.

Migration costs depend on site size. Small site with 5-10 pages costs $3,000-8,000, medium with 20-50 pages is $8,000-20,000 expense, and large sites with over 50 pages can cost over $20,000.

Summary - What to Choose in 2025?

Choose Next.js if performance and SEO are priorities, you have budget for professional development, need a modern site, and care about security. Stay with WordPress if you have limited budget, need quick start, your team already knows WordPress, or require a complex CMS system.

In 2025, Next.js is becoming the standard for modern business websites, offering better performance, SEO, and security. WordPress remains a good choice for projects with limited budget and simple informational sites.

Need help choosing? Contact us - we'll help choose the best solution for your business.