WordPress and Shopify cover most businesses well — but some need functionality, performance, or scale that no plugin or app handles cleanly. We build custom-coded sites and web apps on modern, proven tools — Next.js, React and Vercel most often — for exactly those cases, without treating “custom” as the default answer for everyone.
Custom builds shipped
15+
Typical Core Web Vitals score target
95+
Weeks for a typical custom build
6–12
Why “custom” isn’t always the right answer
The pitch for a custom site is always performance and flexibility. The part that gets left out is what happens to your SEO, your content team, and your budget if it’s built without a plan for either.
What goes wrong with custom builds
Content changes require a developer for even small edits
No plan for who maintains the codebase after launch
“Custom” chosen for prestige, not because the project actually needed it
Performance gains promised but never actually measured
What We Build Instead
SEO fundamentals — schema, sitemaps, meta handling — built into the codebase directly
A headless CMS layer where your team needs to edit content without a developer
A clear maintenance plan agreed before the build starts
An honest recommendation if WordPress or Shopify would actually serve you better
Core Web Vitals and load time measured and reported, not just promised
Our Stack
We pick the specific tools based on the project, but here’s the stack we reach for most — from what a visitor’s browser renders down to where it all runs.
Proof
largest contentful paint improvement
SaaS · Custom frontend
B2B SaaS company
Rebuilt a page-builder-based marketing site as a custom Next.js frontend with a headless CMS, cutting load time by more than two-thirds while keeping the content team’s editing workflow intact.
core workflows built no plugin could handle
Marketplace · Web app
Two-sided marketplace startup
Built a custom booking, payment and messaging flow that no combination of WordPress plugins or Shopify apps could support cleanly, integrated with the company’s existing backend API.
How We Build It
Requirements first — “custom” only if it’s actually earned.
01
Scope & platform check
An honest assessment of whether custom code is actually the right call for this project.
02
Architecture & CMS plan
Frontend stack and content management approach decided before any code is written.
03
Build
Custom development with SEO fundamentals and performance targets built in from the start.
04
Test & optimize
Core Web Vitals, cross-device testing and load testing before launch.
05
Launch & handoff
Documented codebase and an agreed maintenance plan, not a black box you’re stuck with.
Is This A Fit
Good fit if
You need functionality no plugin, app or template handles cleanly
Performance or scale requirements exceed what template platforms hit
You’re building a web app, not a content or product site
You have a plan (in-house or with us) for ongoing maintenance
Not the right fit if
WordPress or Shopify would genuinely serve the same need for less
You want “custom” mainly for prestige, not a functional requirement
Nobody will maintain the codebase after we hand it off
You need the site live in days, not weeks or months
FAQ’s
What technology do you actually build with?
Why would I need a custom-coded site instead of WordPress or Shopify?
Will a custom site still work well for SEO?
Do you use a headless CMS with custom builds?
Who maintains the site after launch?
How much does a custom build cost compared to WordPress or Shopify?
Pairs Well With
Ready when you are
Book a strategy call and we’ll tell you honestly whether a custom build is worth it — or whether WordPress or Shopify would serve you just as well for less.
30-minute call · no obligation
