AI Website or WordPress for Small Businesses?

In my 20 years of using WordPress, the answer hasn’t changed – until now. WordPress was always the answer because it was easy, open-source, and support was easy to get and cheap. And the software itself is free.

Whether or not you should use WordPress is not clear cut in 2026. You have choices. In this article I want to cover how to choose the right website for you. It is a different answer depending on what you use your website for.

As I was writing, each section was developing a “if you are a developer…”… instead of writing that on each section, I’ll just say it now: If you have a developer on staff, there are far more attractive options than WordPress. You can decouple both the website and the database and optimize both for your unique use scenario.

For most small businesses and content creators, who cannot afford the developer on staff – you have me instead, only as needed! :)For the rest of us, is WordPress the best choice for a website in 2026?

Security Issues

Because WordPress is so common, it is also a target for hackers. This isn’t new. What is new, is the speed at which new hackers are deploying said hacks. AI makes it faster and easier to attack any website, but especially WordPress, again, because it is common.

Is the cost of securing WordPress, in 2026, too high? First, the software is free, but maintaining it (including security) is not free. Yes, there is a cost. If you choose WordPress, security and maintenance costs need to be part of that decision.

Security is a factor that you need in your head as you go through the other deciding factors below.

Content Management Needs

WordPress fits best when you need a content management system. It is so widely used (because it is open source), that it has really matured in the area of content management in the last 20 years. If you need an organized system that combines an easy -to-use dashboard with a public facing website, WordPress beats any other CMS, hands down. It isn’t even a comparison.

Learning Management System, E-Commerce, Directories

If you need add-ons, WordPress should be a serious consideration. It is easy to add-on modules and not be locked into a single company’s proprietary software (think:Microsoft). There are costs involved in getting these add-ons, but you are not locked into anything. Most modules have export functions, and all are required (by law) to be open-source. That means I can see and edit the code for you. We can make adjustments that suit you.

And you can have your pick of millions of developers that know how to use each module and WordPress itself.

Alternatives exist, of course, but they are holding you into a store (like Stan, Squarespace, etc)that is not editable beyond what options they give you.

Ownership Issues

Remember the fiasco that was Facebook in the early 2010’s? Whole businesses were built on Facebook, and then FB changed to pay-to-play. And entire businesses were lost that day. The lesson is hurt like a gut-punch: if you don’t own the platform, you risk your entire livelihood.

Ownership is the #1 reason most people pick WordPress in 2026. Other reasons exist, depending on who you are, and what your website needs are, but the ability to own your own software and make your own rules to the game, is the #1 drawing factor for most business owners.

This is why I still recommend WordPress – if you care about owning the website – the brand that represents your business online.

App’s & Hacking

I’m not sure where this saying came from, but jerry-rigging WordPress is a fun thing to do – at least for me. We have access to all the code, the modules and every plugin. Years ago I made a lease calculator out of WordPress for 20+ sales people to use in different locations. We made all the paperwork seamless so that headoffice could monitor and sales people were credited. We’ve made directories of locations with map searches; we’ve made podcast streaming channels – lots of fun stuff! But today in 2026, this is a bad idea.

As much as it is possible, it is not a good idea. There are better easier options if you want an application. I do not recommend WP for this any longer.

If the plugins begin to feel like a house of cards, you’re in trouble. It’s best to use WordPress for content management.

Budget Issues

WordPress is also more than a small, static site needs. A five-page site that changes twice a year does not need a database, a plugin ecosystem, and a firewall. A static site generator will cost less to keep and will have a smaller attack surface. (Just keep in mind the ownership mentioned above).

If you only need 4-5 pages, and care about ownership (& open source), see our Digital Footprint package to put it all together in one low fee.

Also, security, as mentioned above, costs money. So WordPress is definitely the wrong choice if nobody will maintain it. In 2026, maintenance and security is a necessity. If you are too busy to DIY, then hire a team, like us, who do it for you.

How to decide

Questions that really need a ‘yes’ if you are going to have a WordPress website:

1. How important is ownership to me?
2. Do I have the budget to secure & maintain the site?
3. Do I need anything more than 4-5 pages?

Whichever way you go, make sure you have a copy of your website content. And make sure that the email contact form works – you need those leads!

One more thing – make sure that you support open source in other ways too! I really believe it is one of the strongest forces for good in the world today.