Choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your website. Get it wrong and you’ll be paying for a rebuild within two years. Here’s an honest comparison of the three most popular options in 2026.
WordPress: The All-Rounder
WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. It’s flexible, has thousands of plugins, and nearly every developer knows how to work with it.
Best for: Business websites, blogs, portfolios, membership sites, and small-to-medium e-commerce stores via WooCommerce.
Pros: Huge plugin ecosystem, easy content management, strong SEO capabilities, massive developer community, you own your code and data.
Cons: Requires regular updates and maintenance, can be slow if bloated with plugins, security requires attention.
Typical cost: £499–£10,000+ depending on complexity.
React (Next.js): The Performance King
React with Next.js is the go-to for developers building fast, interactive web applications. It’s what powers sites like Netflix, Airbnb, and TikTok’s web interface.
Best for: Web applications, SaaS dashboards, interactive tools, headless CMS setups, and sites where speed is critical.
Pros: Blazing fast performance, excellent developer experience, great for complex interactivity, server-side rendering for SEO.
Cons: Higher development cost, smaller pool of developers than WordPress, overkill for simple brochure sites.
Typical cost: £3,000–£30,000+.
Shopify: The E-Commerce Specialist
If your primary goal is selling products online, Shopify is purpose-built for exactly that.
Best for: Online stores, dropshipping, product-based businesses.
Pros: Built-in payment processing, inventory management, shipping calculators, app store for extensions, hosted so no server management.
Cons: Monthly fees (£25–£300+), transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments, limited customisation without Liquid templating knowledge, you don’t own your store — Shopify does.
Typical cost: £2,000–£15,000 for custom theme + £25–£300/month platform fees.
Our Recommendation
For most UK businesses, WordPress remains the best balance of flexibility, cost, and long-term ownership. If you’re building something interactive or data-heavy, React is worth the investment. If you’re purely selling physical products, Shopify gets you to market fastest.
Not sure which is right for you? Talk to us — we build on all three platforms and can advise based on your specific needs.