Looking for a WordPress alternative? Here’s why Craft CMS is the upgrade you need
Roughly a 4 minute read by Adam
Let’s be honest: when most people think ‘CMS’, their minds jump straight to WordPress. And while it has long been the default, Craft CMS is the WordPress alternative your digital presence deserves.
At Engage, we believe in delivering digital experiences that demand attention. Craft CMS gives you the freedom to do just that; without the bloat, limitations, or plugin maintenance often associated with WordPress. Here’s why Craft CMS is the choice your future self will thank you for.
Flexibility without the fluff
WordPress: Known for its themes and plugins, WordPress can feel like building with Lego; fun at first but restrictive when you need something bespoke. Pre-built themes can limit creativity, and relying on too many plugins can quickly become a maintenance headache.
Craft CMS: Craft offers a “blank canvas” approach; designed for custom solutions from the ground up. No template handcuffs. No army of plugins. Just the exact tools you need, built your way.
Our take: Custom doesn’t mean complicated. Craft’s user-friendly backend makes content management intuitive, even without a developer on hand.
The WordPress dashboard: Overwhelming layouts, endless plugins, and update alerts galore.
Performance that doesn’t crack under pressure
WordPress: A plugin for every problem often means slower sites. Speed issues, security risks, and frequent updates that will impact your SEO and rankings over time.
Craft CMS: Built for speed and scalability, Craft focuses on lightweight, well-structured code. Whether it’s a summer sales spike or a viral moment, Craft websites are designed for speed and optimised for technical SEO, ensuring fast performance and strong search visibility.
Our take: We’ve seen Craft handle massive traffic spikes without breaking a sweat. When performance matters, Craft delivers.
Security you can trust
WordPress: Being the most popular CMS makes WordPress a prime target for hackers - with 83% of all websites hacked hosted on this platform. Many vulnerabilities come from outdated or poorly maintained plugins and themes.
Craft CMS: Known for its security-first design, Craft isn’t dependent on third-party plugins to function - significantly reducing potential vulnerabilities. Routine updates keep things secure without disrupting your workflow.
Our take: Craft’s robust approach to security means we - and our clients - sleep easier. When your site holds valuable customer data, peace of mind is priceless.
A better experience for your content team
WordPress: Functional, but often clunky for non-technical users. Overloaded dashboards and page builders can make content management seem overwhelming.
Craft CMS: Craft’s control panel is sleek, intuitive, and genuinely enjoyable to use. Custom fields make content entry straightforward, so your team can focus on creating killer content - not on troubleshooting widgets.
Our take: We’ve onboarded content teams in record time with Craft. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, they leave feeling knowledgeable and in control.
Craft CMS: A clean, intuitive interface that puts your content team in the driver’s seat.
Future proofing your digital presence
WordPress: Frequent updates, theme conflicts, and plugin dependencies can make WordPress sites feel fragile. What works today could break tomorrow after an update.
Craft CMS: Designed for longevity, Craft’s flexible architecture evolves with your needs. It’s a platform that grows alongside your business - not one that constantly needs patching.
Our take: Craft CMS supports digital experiences that last. With Craft CMS, you’ll spend less time firefighting and more time achieving your goals.
Why we recommend Craft CMS (and why you should care)
From supporting Harrison Spinks with their ecommerce expansion, relaunching Roadchef, and replatforming Taylors, we’ve built seamless, high-performing websites on Craft CMS time and time again.
The bottom line is, if you’re dreaming big or looking to escape WordPress’s limitations, Craft CMS can help you build something exceptional. And with Engage by your side, we’ll make sure it’s a digital experience that demands attention - and keeps it.
Ready to make the switch? Let’s talk.