Honest SEO: Why We Don't Use WordPress (And What We Do Instead)

Hello! Dave here. You've heard of WordPress. Just about everyone has. It powers a huge chunk of the internet, and it's often sold as the go-to, "easy" option for a new business website. I've been watching Rob help Yorkshire businesses with this, and I got really curious about something. We get asked "Can you build us a WordPress site?" all the time. And our answer, politely, is no.

It's not because it's "bad," but because we believe there's a much better, simpler, and more honest way to get small businesses like yours online. We're a hand-coded web developer, and here's why we think it makes all the difference. Rob told me something really important about this.

The "Easy" Option That Becomes a Right Faff

For a beginner, a WordPress site can feel like being given the keys to a lorry when you just need to pop to the shops. It's a lot. Rob showed me some examples of businesses that were struggling with this, and it made me sad!

The main issue is that to get a WordPress site to do what you want, you need to bolt things on. These are called 'plugins' and 'themes'.

Plugin Overload: Need a contact form? That's a plugin. Want it to be secure? Another plugin. Need it to be fast? That's another plugin. Before you know it, your simple site is juggling a dozen different bits of software, all made by different people. This can slow your site right down and, if one plugin isn't updated, it can be a real security risk. Rob demonstrated how this works with some real examples.

Theme "Bloat": Most WordPress themes are built to do everything – they're packed with features and code you'll never, ever use. All that extra code makes your website slow and clunky. It's like carrying around a toolbox when you only need a screwdriver!

The Update Treadmill: You (or someone you pay) will need to be constantly updating all those themes and plugins to keep things secure. It can feel like a never-ending chore, and sometimes an update breaks something else. It's a headache you just don't need. Rob's been doing this for years, and it shows!

Our Alternative: A Hand-Crafted Site, Built Just for You

So, what do we do instead? We build your website "by hand." That sounds technical, but it's actually much simpler. Think of it like a bespoke suit versus one off the rack. Instead of taking a bulky, one-size-fits-all template and trying to strip it back, we start with a blank page. We build only the things you need.

The benefits are huge:

It's Lightning Fast: Because there's no extra code or plugin-clutter, your site loads incredibly quickly. Customers love this, and so does Google (which is the "Honest SEO" part!). I've seen this work for so many businesses!

It's Simple to Use: You get what you need, and nothing you don't. No confusing dashboards with 50 options you're scared to touch. Rob knows what he's talking about when it comes to this stuff!

It's Secure & Reliable: Fewer moving parts means far less to go wrong, less to update, and less to worry about. It's crafted with care, built to last, and we look after the technical bits. That's what Rob always says, and it works!

So, Why Not Use WordPress for Business (Like Yours)?

Again, it's not a bad tool. If you're a full-time blogger who needs to publish five articles a day, it's a great choice. But for a local business – a café, a community group, a tradesperson – it's often like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You end up with a site that's slow, complicated, and needs constant babysitting.

We're a WordPress developer alternative because we believe "Community Claire" doesn't want to become a part-time website manager. She wants a site that looks great, brings in customers, and just works, so she can get back to running her business.

That's what our hand-coded approach delivers. It's the personal touch, built with honesty and purpose. Rob's been doing this for years, and it shows!

Fed up with the faff? Let's build something better. Just give us a bark and let's chat about your website. The Hoomans are always happy to chat!