Two Paths to Building a WordPress Site

When building a website with WordPress, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how the site should be built:

• With a custom-developed WordPress theme, created by a developer for your business.
• Or with a page builder like Elementor, which allows you to design pages visually with drag-and-drop tools.

Both approaches have advantages and drawbacks. The best choice depends on your goals, budget, and how much control you want over your website.

Custom WordPress Theme: Pros and Cons

A custom WordPress theme is designed and coded specifically for your business.

Pros:

• Performance: Clean, optimized code often loads faster than page builders.
• Scalability: Easier to expand with custom features down the road.
• Unique design: No reliance on templates or prebuilt layouts—your brand stands out.
• No bloat: You only get the functionality you need, reducing unnecessary plugins.

Cons:

• Time-intensive: Takes longer to design and develop.
• Higher upfront cost: More developer hours = more investment.
• Less DIY-friendly: Non-technical users may find it harder to make design changes.

Best For: Businesses that want a fully tailored site, optimized for speed and long-term growth.

Elementor Page Builder: Pros and Cons

Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin that works on top of WordPress.

Pros:

• Ease of use: Non-developers can create and edit pages with no code.
• Faster builds: Get a site live quicker than with a custom-coded theme.
• Large template library: Prebuilt layouts make designing pages simple.
• Flexibility: Great for businesses that want to manage their own content and design.

Cons:

• Performance impact: Page builders can add extra code, which may slightly slow load times.
• Design limitations: You’re still working within Elementor’s framework.
• Plugin reliance: Heavy dependence on a single tool—if Elementor changes, you’re tied to it.
• Learning curve: While easier than coding, it still takes time to learn.

Best For: Small to mid-sized businesses that value speed, ease of updates, and user control over technical perfection.

Other Factors to Consider

• SEO: Both approaches can be SEO-friendly, but performance (site speed, clean code) does give custom themes a slight edge.
• Maintenance: Custom themes require a developer for major design changes, while Elementor makes it easier for clients to self-manage.
• Longevity: A custom theme may last longer without major overhauls, while Elementor can keep pace with design trends via templates and updates.
• Budget: Custom themes are an investment upfront; Elementor spreads costs out over time with easier management and lower initial build fees.

My Approach at Live Oak Media

At Live Oak Media, I use both approaches depending on what’s best for the client.

• For businesses that need unique performance-driven sites, a custom WordPress theme is the way to go.
• For businesses that want to easily update content, pages, and layouts themselves, Elementor provides flexibility and control.

Either way, I make sure clients don’t have to stress about the technical side—I handle the setup, performance tuning, and maintenance so you can focus on running your business.

The Bottom Line

• Choose a custom theme if you want a fast, fully tailored site built for the long haul.
• Choose Elementor if you want design freedom, faster setup, and an easier way to manage content yourself.