If there were a clear “best” choice for publishing a website, it\u2019d be a lot easier to start one. In reality, of course, there are plenty of options at your disposal. Each could be appropriate depending on your needs, expertise, and budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve discussed WordPress<\/a> many times within our Resource Center<\/a>, and it\u2019s our favorite option for getting a website up and running. However, a PHP framework<\/a>\u2013essentially a basic structure or platform for development\u2013also offers plenty of flexibility, although at the cost of additional time and possibly money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this piece, we\u2019ll look deeper into WordPress vs PHP framework solutions, and help you decide which one is best for you. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, WordPress is a type of program called a Content Management System (CMS)<\/a>. This kind of platform is configured to help you create content and design your site, all within a visual and user-friendly interface<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also extend the functionality of the core feature set in most CMS platforms. When it comes to WordPress, this is done through \u2018plugins\u2019 and \u2018themes\u2019<\/a>, many of which are free to download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also premium plugins and themes, offering more features along with better support and regular updates (in most cases). For example, StudioPress<\/a> offers a collection of themes that each provide a unique look for your site, at fairly low prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal of WordPress is to give you practically everything you need to create a website out of the box (or within easy reach), regardless of your technical knowledge. As such, you\u2019ll find many different types of users trusting in the platform, and a wide variety of sites built with it. Many attest that WordPress is the best CMS on the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, WordPress is even considered an enterprise-level CMS, and powers many Fortune 500<\/a> and other business sites. This is mainly due to its extendable and heavily-customizable nature, along with its large community and plethora of quality hosting options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other popular CMSs include Drupal and Joomla. They\u2019re similar to WordPress in that they provide a basic framework on which to build your website, and various extensions to help you do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, both are generally considered more difficult to use than WordPress. Most people will need development experience or help from a web professional to launch a site with Drupal or Joomla, while pretty much anyone can pick up WordPress with a bit of practice, especially since the addition of the Block Editor<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To understand what a PHP framework is, you\u2019ll ideally need a working knowledge of coding. PHP itself is a programming language<\/a>, which helps you create websites, applications, and other tools. It\u2019s actually the language that powers WordPress, so it\u2019s more than suitable for building your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for a \u2018PHP framework\u2019, you can think of this as a flexible template. You\u2019ll often find that certain powerful functions are included within a framework, based around the philosophies and goals of the creator, although that\u2019s not a prerequisite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, a PHP framework represents a bare-bones foundation that is used to build a site, providing a few of the necessary elements but requiring a lot of work on your end. As such, coding skills are necessary, as is the required budget for the site development process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This makes the choice between a PHP framework vs a CMS easy for some, as a CMS (and WordPress specifically) requires much less technical knowledge. To learn more about how to use PHP for WordPress, checkout our Ultimate Guide to Object-Oriented PHP for WordPress Developers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019ve looked at the basics of CMSs and PHP frameworks, let\u2019s discuss their key differences. What follows are four crucial factors that illustrate the primary distinctions between these two solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Security is a primary consideration<\/a> for practically every website owner and it represents a big difference between PHP and WordPress\u2019 CMS. Failure to secure your site properly, regardless of its goals, can result in sensitive data falling into the wrong hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In turn, this could lead to all sorts of financial and legal difficulties. This makes choosing between a PHP framework vs CMS more than a matter of preference \u2013 it can be incredibly important to the success of your brand or business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the surface, a CMS could be called more secure, as inherent security can be built into the platform itself<\/a>. However, a PHP framework is a \u2018lower-level\u2019 solution. Given this, you can essentially add whatever security features you need into the base functionality of your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could argue that flexibility isn\u2019t always a primary concern, especially if you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with the site you\u2019re building. In those instances, a niche-specific solution will often be more suitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, consider the many third-party services you may use \u2013 especially if you\u2019re running an eCommerce site<\/a>. For example, order processing, marketing platforms, and plenty of other tools and features will need to slot seamlessly into the site-building solution you choose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A CMS usually offers a lot of choices, and this is particularly true when it comes to WordPress<\/a>. However, adaptability for those with specific requirements is often lower than what a PHP framework provides. Much like with security, a PHP framework offers a wider scope for what you can achieve, largely thanks to its low-level architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The internet is a constantly-evolving technology. As such, we\u2019re used to constant updates and bug fixes that keep the wheel turning efficiently, and help website visitors stay secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll often find that a CMS will receive near-perpetual updates<\/a> to add new features, fix bugs, improve security, and implement user feedback. For example, WordPress maintains a roadmap<\/a> outlining the major release history for the platform, which is very active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, a PHP framework is not usually updated as consistently. This is because the responsibility for improving functionality and security is in the hands of the developer working directly with the language. However, this doesn\u2019t make it any less stable in theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, User Experience (UX)<\/a> is another key concern for practically all website owners, especially those developing sites in-house. The user-friendliness of your chosen platform is going to play a large part in your efficiency and the effectiveness of the final product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you can imagine, given that a PHP framework is designed for developers working with a low-level programming language, the UX is usually quite basic. On the other hand, since a CMS like WordPress serves as a less technical entry point into developing a website, having an attractive Graphical User Interface (GUI) is key. As such, a CMS will be ideal if you need clarity during development and use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technically speaking, choosing WordPress vs a PHP framework shouldn\u2019t directly influence your site\u2019s SEO. Search engines look for fresh, relevant content when ranking results, and the platform you use to create that content shouldn\u2019t affect its quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, WordPress has a slight advantage here because it has several built-in features and extensions that can help you improve your on-page and technical SEO. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although you\u2019ll still have to put in some effort in regard to keyword research and crafting quality content, these features can give you a leg up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, you\u2019re probably leaning towards one side of the fence or the other. Users wanting flexibility and robustness wrapped up in a stable and secure package will likely want to opt for WordPress. Those with coding knowledge (or access to it) are more likely to consider a PHP framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there\u2019s more to the choice than just those two factors. Choosing a CMS vs a PHP framework is an important decision and shouldn\u2019t be made lightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As such, you should endeavor to carry out as much research as possible before making your ultimate choice. For example, we\u2019ve previously written an in-depth article on choosing a CMS<\/a>, which can offer more insight into your options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a nutshell, you\u2019ll always want to choose the option that\u2019s ideal for your specific site and needs. It\u2019s best to consider the long-term goals for your project, rather than be swayed by transitional factors such as budget or others\u2019 opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, either a CMS or PHP framework can help you improve the digital experience for visitors to your website. However, regardless of the solution you choose for getting your site up and running, you\u2019ll need a suitable web host to power it. WordPress users<\/a> should turn to a company with a proven track record in quality customer support, dependable and scalable functionality, and reasonable pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WP Engine<\/a> can be the answer to all of those needs. We\u2019re adept at helping users of all stripes set up and run websites, and would love to welcome you into the family. Check out the benefits of our WordPress hosting<\/a> or our plans<\/a> for more details on what we provide!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If there were a clear “best” choice for publishing a website, it\u2019d be a lot easier to start one. In reality, of course, there are plenty of options at your disposal. Each could be appropriate depending on your needs, expertise, and budget. We\u2019ve discussed WordPress many times within our Resource Center, and it\u2019s our favorite…<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":147023,"template":"","resource-topic":[901],"resource-role":[895,896,906,897],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-42850","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Is a CMS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is a PHP Framework?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some P:opular PHP Frameworks Include:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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CMS vs PHP Framework: Differences & Considerations <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Security<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Flexibility & Customization <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Upgrades<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. User Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Choosing the Best CMS or PHP Framework for Your Site<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Choose the Best CMS or PHP Framework With WP Engine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n