When you start planning a website, the conversation quickly turns to WordPress. It makes sense: more than 40% of all websites use it. But is WordPress always the right choice? For many businesses, especially service providers, freelancers and local companies on Gran Canaria, a static website without a CMS is faster, safer and cheaper to maintain. If you are comparing options, also read why WordPress is slow and our WordPress vs custom website comparison.
What a CMS gives you (and what it costs)
A Content Management System like WordPress lets you manage your own content: write blog posts, update texts, upload images. Useful if you do this regularly. But it comes at a price: pages are generated by querying a database on every visit (which takes time), every vulnerable plugin is a potential security risk, and monthly updates require constant attention.
That trade-off is often overlooked. You pay for flexibility with speed, security surface area and ongoing maintenance, whether you use that flexibility or not.
When do you actually need a CMS?
A CMS makes sense if you publish new content every week, multiple employees manage content, or you run an online shop with dynamic inventory. For most business websites, none of these apply. Most business owners update their website a few times a year, contact details, a new service, seasonal opening hours.
Before defaulting to WordPress, ask honestly: when did I last change my website? If the answer is months ago, you are probably paying for CMS overhead you do not use.
The advantages of a static website
A static website built with Next.js or Astro serves pre-built HTML files directly. No database, no plugins, no login panel to hack. The benefits:
- Speed: load times under one second; PageSpeed scores of 95+ are normal
- Security: no WordPress admin, no plugin vulnerabilities
- Low maintenance: no monthly plugin or core updates that can break the site
- Lower hosting costs: static files need minimal server resources
Google uses page speed as a ranking factor. A site that loads in 0.5 seconds has a structural advantage over a WordPress site scoring 30 on PageSpeed, especially on mobile, where most local searches happen.
WordPress vs static vs headless CMS: comparison
| WordPress | Static (Next.js) | Headless CMS + static | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slow without tuning (often 30–50 PageSpeed) | Very fast (95+ PageSpeed) | Fast (95+ PageSpeed) |
| Maintenance | High (plugins, core, security) | Low | Medium (CMS updates only) |
| Self-editing | Yes, built-in | Limited (via developer) | Yes, via CMS dashboard |
| Security | Higher attack surface | Strong (no admin panel) | Strong |
| Typical cost | €10–50/month hosting + maintenance | From €549 one-off at CanarySites | From €549 + optional CMS subscription |
See our pricing page for current plans. The right choice depends on how often you publish and whether you need a shop or blog at scale.
Concrete examples: which option fits?
Local service business (plumber, accountant, salon): A static site with five to ten pages is ideal. You update prices or services a few times a year. Speed and Google visibility matter more than a daily editing interface.
Online shop with live inventory: WordPress with WooCommerce or Shopify makes sense. Stock levels, orders and payments need a dynamic backend, a pure static site is not the right tool.
Team publishing a blog every week: A headless CMS (Sanity, Contentful) combined with Next.js gives editors a familiar workflow while keeping the public site fast. Or optimised WordPress if your team already knows it well.
Expat business on Gran Canaria: Often a multilingual showcase site (NL, ES, EN) with strong local SEO. Static Next.js handles this well, we build sites like this regularly for clients in Las Palmas and the south coast.
What if you still want to edit content yourself?
You combine a static site with a headless CMS like Sanity or Contentful. You manage content in a separate system; the website stays blazing fast and secure. The best of both worlds. At CanarySites we build with Next.js as standard. If a client specifically wants WordPress, we build that too, but we always give honest advice on the pros and cons of each option.
Frequently asked questions
Can I update a static website myself?
Not through a WordPress-style admin by default. With a headless CMS you can edit texts and images yourself; otherwise your developer handles occasional updates. For most business sites that is enough, changes happen a few times per year, not daily.
Is a static website bad for SEO?
No. Static sites are often better for SEO because they load faster, produce clean HTML and score well on Core Web Vitals. Combined with proper metadata, schema markup and internal linking, they rank strongly for local and service keywords.
When should I still choose WordPress?
When you publish frequently, need WooCommerce, or your team is already trained on WordPress and you accept the maintenance cost. For showcase sites and local business pages, static is usually the smarter long-term choice.
What is a headless CMS?
A system that stores content separately from the website. You edit in a dashboard; the static site rebuilds with new content. Popular options: Sanity, Contentful, Strapi. Ideal when you want self-service editing without sacrificing speed.
How much does a static website cost?
At CanarySites, professional static websites start from €549 one-off or €49.95/month, including custom design, European hosting and WhatsApp support. View our pricing or see our website service for what is included.
Ready to explore your options?
Most business owners who ask us about CMS choice update their site less often than they think. If that sounds like you, a static website is worth serious consideration. At CanarySites we build with Next.js by default for clients in Gran Canaria and across Europe.
Request a free website audit, we look at your current site (or plans), explain whether static, WordPress or headless fits best, and give you concrete next steps. No obligation.