Why Custom Code Should Be Used Instead of Elementor for WordPress Websites

For many WordPress users, Elementor seems like a convenient choice due to its drag-and-drop simplicity and extensive design options. However, when considering performance, scalability, security, and long-term costs, custom coding offers significant advantages that Elementor cannot match. This article explores why custom code is superior to Elementor for WordPress websites, backed by quantitative data and multiple sources to present a comprehensive comparison.

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1. Performance and Speed: A Quantitative Analysis

Performance is a crucial factor in website success, influencing user experience, search engine rankings, and conversion rates. Custom-coded websites are specifically designed to minimize code bloat, optimize load times, and enhance overall performance.

Load Times and Speed Index

Elementor websites often suffer from excessive JavaScript and CSS files, leading to slower load times. In a performance comparison, Elementor websites recorded total loading times of up to 4.4 seconds on mobile devices without optimizations, which were reduced to 1.9 seconds when using WP Rocket for performance improvements​ (WP Rocket).

However, even with such optimizations, custom-coded sites typically achieve sub-2-second load times without relying on external plugins, as they are optimized from the outset to handle minimal resources efficiently.

Core Web Vitals

Google’s Core Web Vitals are essential metrics for evaluating user experience and SEO performance, including Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), and First Input Delay (FID). Elementor sites often struggle with these metrics due to code bloat and poor optimization. For instance, Elementor’s LCP can exceed 5 seconds, placing it in the “needs improvement” category according to Google’s standards. Comparatively, custom-coded sites consistently meet or exceed Core Web Vitals benchmarks, with LCP times well below the 2.5-second threshold recommended by Google, significantly enhancing SEO performance ​(WP Rocket).

Page Size and HTTP Requests

Elementor’s reliance on pre-built widgets and templates contributes to larger page sizes and more HTTP requests, which further degrade performance. For example, Elementor pages often exceed 900 KB in size and involve around 70 HTTP requests, compared to custom-coded pages that can manage under 500 KB and fewer than 20 requests. This reduction in size and requests leads to faster load times and less server strain, resulting in a smoother, more responsive user experience ​(WP Rocket).

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2. Code Bloat and Scalability Issues

Elementor’s reliance on pre-built elements leads to substantial code bloat, which not only slows down websites but also complicates scalability. As businesses grow, their digital needs expand, requiring scalable solutions that can handle increased traffic, new features, and evolving business requirements.

Efficiency and Scalability

Custom-coded websites are inherently more efficient because they are designed with specific needs in mind, using only the code necessary to achieve desired functionalities. This results in lean, efficient websites that perform better under load and scale more easily. In contrast, Elementor’s modular approach, where each feature adds additional code, creates a bloated structure that can hinder performance and make future scalability more difficult and costly ​(WP Rocket).

Flexibility for Growth

As companies expand, so do their requirements for more advanced website functionalities. Custom coding allows for precise control over these additions, providing the ability to scale and adapt without the need for complete overhauls. Elementor, on the other hand, often necessitates significant adjustments or even rebuilds to accommodate complex growth, leading to higher costs and potential downtime​ (The Plus Addons for Elementor).

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3. Security and Maintenance

Security is a critical consideration for any website, particularly those in industries where data integrity is paramount. Custom-coded websites offer a more secure alternative to Elementor, which relies on third-party plugins and frequent updates that can introduce vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Risks

Elementor has faced numerous security vulnerabilities in recent years. For example, a critical vulnerability in 2020 allowed attackers to gain control over Elementor sites through a privilege escalation flaw, affecting millions of websites. Custom-coded sites, built with a controlled codebase, are less susceptible to such widespread vulnerabilities because they do not depend on external, commonly targeted plugins​ (10Web).

Simplified Maintenance

Custom-coded websites also benefit from simplified maintenance. Since the codebase is tailored to specific requirements, troubleshooting and updates are more straightforward. In contrast, Elementor’s need for constant updates to both the core plugin and its extensions increases the risk of compatibility issues and site disruptions. With custom code, maintenance is proactive rather than reactive, reducing downtime and ensuring consistent site performance .

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4. Customization and Flexibility

While Elementor offers a wide range of design options, it still falls short of the customization possibilities provided by custom coding. This limitation becomes especially apparent when dealing with advanced functionality or highly specific design requirements.

Overcoming Pre-Built Limitations

Elementor’s pre-built elements can restrict creative flexibility, particularly for complex or unique website features. Custom coding allows developers to implement exactly what is needed, with no compromises. This level of precision is particularly valuable for companies with unique business needs that go beyond what Elementor’s standardized modules can offer ​(The Plus Addons for Elementor).

Integration Capabilities

Custom-coded sites offer seamless integration with various technologies, tools, and platforms, reducing the risk of conflicts that can occur with Elementor’s plugin-heavy approach. Whether it’s integrating custom APIs, analytics tools, or specialized data handling features, custom coding provides a streamlined, reliable solution. Elementor’s reliance on multiple plugins increases the likelihood of integration issues, which can compromise functionality and user experience​ (The Plus Addons for Elementor).

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5. Long-Term Costs and Return on Investment

While Elementor might seem cost-effective initially, the long-term costs associated with performance optimization, maintenance, and potential overhauls can outweigh the upfront savings. Custom development, although requiring a larger initial investment, tends to offer better value over time by providing a stable, optimized platform that requires fewer adjustments and delivers superior performance.

Hidden Costs of Elementor’s Model

Elementor operates on a subscription model, which can become costly over time, particularly as the number of sites grows. Additional costs can also arise from the need for third-party performance optimization tools like WP Rocket to meet acceptable load times and Core Web Vitals scores. In contrast, custom-coded websites typically incur a one-time development cost with ongoing maintenance fees that are predictable and generally lower than the combined costs of Elementor subscriptions and necessary third-party optimizations​ (10Web).

ROI from Custom Development

Investing in custom coding ensures a high return on investment by creating a website that is tailored to specific business needs, optimized for performance, and built to scale. Custom-coded sites typically achieve better SEO results, attract more traffic, and convert visitors at higher rates due to faster load times and superior user experiences. This results in greater business outcomes, such as increased lead generation and customer retention, which justify the initial investment​ (The Plus Addons for Elementor) ​( WP Rocket).

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6. SEO and Accessibility: A Competitive Edge

Ensuring that a website is both SEO-optimized and accessible is not just a best practice but a necessity in today’s digital landscape. Custom-coded sites excel in these areas compared to Elementor, which often struggles with complex CSS and JavaScript that can hinder SEO and accessibility standards.

Superior SEO Performance

Custom-coded websites allow for direct control over SEO elements, including clean URL structures, optimized metadata, and reduced page loading times, all of which are critical for search engine rankings. Elementor’s reliance on heavy scripts can negatively impact these factors, making it more challenging to achieve top search engine positions. Custom coding also enables precise optimization of critical elements like structured data and schema markup, which are essential for enhanced search visibility​ (WP Rocket).

Enhanced Accessibility

Accessibility is another area where custom-coded sites have a significant advantage. Custom development allows for meticulous adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can navigate and interact with the site effectively. Elementor, with its fixed templates and limited customization options, often falls short of these standards, leading to a subpar experience for users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers and keyboard navigation​ (The Plus Addons for Elementor).

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Conclusion: Custom Code is the Clear Choice for Biotech, Renewable Energy and Other Startups

For companies that prioritize performance, scalability, security, and long-term success, custom coding offers a superior solution to Elementor. While Elementor’s user-friendly interface and extensive design library might appeal to those seeking a quick and easy setup, the trade-offs in performance, security, and scalability make it a less suitable option for companies with serious growth ambitions.

Custom-coded websites provide a robust foundation that supports business growth, ensures high performance and security, and offers unparalleled customization options. By choosing custom development, companies can avoid the pitfalls of Elementor’s limitations and invest in a digital presence that truly reflects their brand’s potential and vision. For any business serious about its digital strategy, custom coding is not just the better choice—it’s the only choice.