Why We Rebuilt Our Website with Next.js 15 (and Ditched WordPress)
We’ve built hundreds of WordPress websites for clients over the years, so you might expect us to use the same platform for our own site. But we recently made the switch from WordPress to Next.js 15—and we’re glad we did.
This wasn’t a casual decision. WordPress has served us well for a long time. But like any experienced web developers, we’re always tinkering, testing, and pushing for better performance and control. Next.js gave us that edge, even if it came with some tradeoffs.
Here’s why we made the move, what we gained, what we sacrificed, and why we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The Pros of Rebuilding with Next.js 15
Faster Performance
Next.js 15 is built for speed. Pages load instantly. Static generation and smart caching give us control over how content is served. That means a better experience for our visitors—and better results when it comes to SEO.
Full Control Over the Stack
With WordPress, you’re working within a system. With Next.js, you’re building the system. We can structure components exactly how we want, remove bloat, and fine-tune the site to match our exact needs—no plugins, no limitations.
Improved Security
No PHP, no open plugin ecosystem, no database vulnerabilities. By using a static frontend with serverless logic, we instantly reduced our attack surface. No more worrying about plugin exploits or outdated themes.
No Plugin Bloat
In WordPress, a simple feature often requires a plugin. In Next.js, we code exactly what we need and nothing more. That means fewer dependencies, fewer updates, and less guesswork when something breaks.
Developer-First Experience
We get to use the latest features of React, TypeScript, and the App Router. It’s modern, composable, and enjoyable to work with. Our site is now a custom-built playground we actually like building on.
Scalable by Design
Need to turn parts of the site into an app? Add an API? Go headless? We can. Next.js gives us a foundation we can expand on endlessly.
The Cons of Moving Away from WordPress
Time-Consuming to Build
WordPress is fast to spin up. Next.js is not. We had to hand-build routing, dynamic content handling, templates, and layout logic. What WordPress does with a plugin or theme, we had to write ourselves.
No Built-In Content Editor
We gave up the WordPress dashboard and easy editing tools. While we could use a headless CMS, for now we’re managing content through code and static files—fine for developers, not ideal for clients or content teams.
Deployment Is More Complex
Deploying a WordPress site is a one-click process. With Next.js, we’ve got build pipelines, environment variables, previews, and Git workflows. It’s powerful, but it’s also more involved.
No SEO Plugin Safety Net
Everything Yoast or Rank Math does automatically in WordPress? We had to implement ourselves. Structured data, Open Graph, meta tags—it’s all custom-coded. Luckily, we know our way around SEO.
So Why Did We Do It?
Because we’re builders. Because we like pushing boundaries. Because even though WordPress is an incredible platform—and one we still use every day for client work—we wanted something leaner, faster, and more fun to work with. We wanted control, customization, and total flexibility. And ultimately, we just enjoy writing code more than clicking buttons.
Whether you’re looking for a fast, modern site built with Next.js or a user-friendly WordPress setup, Asheville Web Design has the tools and experience to make it happen. Ready to build something together? Get in touch and let’s talk about your project.