WordPress shaped how websites were built for more than a decade. For a long time, it was the right choice—flexible, open-source, supported by a massive plugin ecosystem, and widely adopted across agencies and freelance shops alike.

We’ve built our fair share of WordPress sites. We still do. In fact, around 80% of the websites we manage today are powered by WordPress. But that percentage drops a little every year, because more and more of our clients are asking for something better. Something faster, simpler, more reliable—and built with intention, not held together by plugins.

That’s where platforms like Webflow, Statamic, and Storyblok come in.

It’s time to move beyond the "WordPress or nothing" mindset.

WordPress Was the Default—for Good Reason

During the 2010s, WordPress wasn’t just a popular CMS—it was the default.

It powered everything from small blogs to enterprise editorial sites. With tools like ACF, Gravity Forms, and a massive theme marketplace, WordPress made it easy to spin up a site quickly and extend it without deep development resources. And for agencies, the plugin system made it possible to deliver feature-rich websites within tight budgets.

The open-source nature of WordPress also gave developers full access to the codebase, encouraging community contributions and fast iteration. At its peak, WordPress was running over 40% of the web. It became the standard many businesses built their digital presence on.

But the way we build websites today is different.

The Web Has Changed—and So Have Client Needs

Over the last few years, new platforms have emerged—not as alternatives to WordPress, but as clear upgrades for specific use cases. These tools aren't trying to copy WordPress; they’re solving the problems WordPress introduced as the web evolved.

What’s changed?

Performance and Core Web Vitals matter. Clients are seeing the impact of slow, bloated websites in their SEO and conversion rates.
Security expectations are higher. Especially for businesses in finance, healthcare, and education, plugin vulnerabilities are a real risk.
Editorial teams want better UX. Clunky backends, unpredictable plugin behavior, and confusing custom fields slow everyone down.
Modern workflows demand clean architecture. Developers want Git-based versioning, content modeling, and scalable hosting options.

The Rise of Purpose-Built Platforms

Here’s where we’re seeing momentum shift:

Webflow: Ideal for fast, visually rich marketing sites. Everything is hosted, secure, and lightning-fast out of the box. Editors love it.
Framer: A lean option for interactive marketing microsites. Designers can publish directly—with limitations, but impressive speed.
Statamic: A flat-file CMS with developer-first features and no database overhead. Perfect for agencies that want full control without plugin bloat or security vulnerability madness.
Craft CMS: For more advanced, content-rich projects that need custom workflows and relationships.
Storyblok + Astro: Our favorite headless setup. Blazing fast, SEO-friendly, and a dream for structured content at scale.

These platforms aren’t experiments. They’re mature tools with growing adoption among agencies and brands that care about reliability, performance, and maintainability.

Our Approach: Multi-Platform, Client-First

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every business is different, and the platform should support the business—not the other way around.

We still use WordPress for sites where it makes sense.
We build in Webflow when speed to launch and visual flexibility are key.
We use Storyblok and Astro for headless setups that prioritize content structure and performance.
We turn to Statamic for custom builds where speed, simplicity, and reliability are paramount.

This approach lets us choose the right tool for the job and deliver what our clients actually need—without forcing every project into the same CMS.

Flexibility Without the Baggage

We often hear the argument: “But WordPress is more flexible.”

And that used to be true—until it wasn’t.

Modern platforms offer just as much flexibility, but with better foundations:

You won’t need 12 plugins to add basic functionality.
You won’t cross your fingers every time something updates.
You won’t lose editor trust because a field disappeared—or an edit won’t save.
You won’t have a live site relying on a plugin that’s been abandoned for 2 years.

Flexibility shouldn’t mean unpredictability. These platforms let us build tailored solutions that are easier to maintain, easier to edit, and easier to trust.

It’s Time to Think Beyond Just WordPress

If you’ve only ever used WordPress, it’s easy to assume it’s the best choice—or the only one worth considering.

But there’s a better way to work. And it starts with recognizing that different businesses have different goals—and deserve platforms that fit those goals.

There’s no need to throw everything out. But when you’re thinking about your next site build—or finally addressing those long-standing pain points—it’s worth asking:

Is your CMS helping your business grow?
Are your editors able to update content easily?
Are performance and SEO where they should be?
Is your site unstable and constantly going down due to cpu spikes or memory leaks?
Are you constantly troubleshooting plugins—or constantly shipping new content?

We still respect what WordPress brought to the web. But we’re building for the future.

Want to Explore Other Options?

If you’re ready to step outside the WordPress bubble, we’re here to help.

Whether it’s a headless CMS migration, a fast Webflow redesign, or a custom flat-file site that just works—we’ll help you choose the right platform for your business.

You don’t need to settle for “what’s always been done.” The web has moved on. And so can you.

WordPress FAQs

Is WordPress still a good option for new websites?

Yes—but only when it truly aligns with your project goals. WordPress remains useful for editorial-heavy sites or when a business relies on specific plugin functionality. However, many modern projects benefit from platforms that offer better performance, cleaner editing experiences, and less ongoing maintenance. Today, it’s more about choosing the right tool for the job—not defaulting to WordPress just because it’s familiar.

Why are agencies moving away from WordPress?

Agencies are shifting because modern platforms solve long-standing problems with WordPress—like plugin conflicts, slow load times, and security gaps. Tools like Webflow and Storyblok are more stable, easier for non-technical editors, and faster to deploy. When performance, reliability, and editor experience matter, WordPress isn't always the best choice anymore.

What are the main issues with relying too heavily on WordPress?

The most common problems include bloated plugins, maintenance headaches, inconsistent editorial experiences, and performance issues. WordPress also introduces security risks when plugins or themes are outdated or abandoned. For clients, this can mean slower websites, unexpected downtime, and unpredictable publishing workflows.

Can modern platforms like Webflow or Statamic handle complex sites?

Absolutely. These platforms are capable of supporting large, complex websites—just in different ways. Webflow is ideal for design-led marketing sites, Statamic handles custom development and structured content with ease, and Storyblok excels in scalable headless setups. The idea that only WordPress can handle "big" sites is outdated.

Is moving away from WordPress risky?

Not at all—if it's done intentionally and with the right platform. Migrating to a better-fit CMS can actually reduce risk in the long run. You’ll gain performance, security, and editorial improvements, and leave behind the issues that often come with plugin-heavy WordPress setups. Most businesses see improved stability and faster page load times after switching.

How do these newer platforms compare when it comes to editing content?

Modern platforms often provide a better experience for editors. Webflow offers real-time, visual editing. Storyblok uses a visual preview with structured fields. Statamic gives you full control over field types and layout options. These tools make it easier for marketing teams and content editors to work confidently without technical support.

What does a multi-platform approach look like in practice?

It means choosing the best platform for each client based on their goals, not forcing every site into one CMS. For example, a service business might use Webflow for their marketing site, a headless CMS for a scalable blog, and WordPress only when needed for compatibility reasons. This approach gives flexibility without the downsides of being locked into one system.

Is WordPress going away? Should I be worried if I still use it?

WordPress isn’t going anywhere—and it’s still a good fit for many use cases. But what’s changed is that it’s no longer the only option, or even the best one in many scenarios. If your site is running well and doing what you need, there’s no immediate need to switch. But if you’re struggling with performance, reliability, or usability, it may be time to explore other platforms.

The WordPress or Nothing State of Mind Is Over