The verdict in three sentences
For a service SME in Dublin, the choice between a static site and a CMS comes down to 3-year total cost and how the team edits content, not the starting price. Both options cost 5,000 to 9,000 EUR excluding VAT to build, but WordPress requires about 12 security updates a year and pricier hosting, while a static Next.js site is hosted for 0 to 20 EUR per month. With 3 people editing content, the right answer is often a static site paired with a headless CMS.
The three possible architectures in 2026
The debate is often framed badly. There is a third way: a static site generated by Next.js, with content edited in a headless CMS (Sanity, Strapi, Payload). Editors keep a simple interface, and the public site stays fast and barely exposed.
| Criterion | Classic WordPress | Static Next.js (content in code) | Next.js + headless CMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build cost | 5,000 to 7,000 EUR | 5,500 to 8,000 EUR | 7,000 to 9,000 EUR |
| Editing by 3 non-technical staff | Easy | Impossible without a developer | Easy |
| Security updates | About 12 per year (core, theme, plugins) | Near zero | 2 to 4 per year (CMS) |
| Monthly hosting | 15 to 40 EUR | 0 to 20 EUR | 0 to 20 EUR + CMS 0 to 15 EUR |
| Performance (mobile LCP) | 2.5 to 4 s without tuning | 1 to 1.8 s | 1 to 1.8 s |
| Attack surface | High (admin, plugins) | Very low | Low |
| Portability | Good (export) | Good (Git code) | Good (API export) |
Total cost over 3 years, line by line
The calculation below assumes an IT services SME with 25 pages, a blog with 2 posts per month and 3 editors (management, sales, marketing). Dublin 2026 rates, as an order of magnitude, excluding VAT.
| Item over 36 months | Classic WordPress | Next.js + headless CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Build | 6,000 EUR | 8,000 EUR |
| Hosting | 36 x 30 EUR = 1,080 EUR | 36 x 15 EUR = 540 EUR |
| Maintenance and updates | 36 x 90 EUR = 3,240 EUR | 36 x 40 EUR = 1,440 EUR |
| Premium plugin licenses | 3 x 250 EUR = 750 EUR | 0 EUR |
| Security incident (probability x cost) | 25 % x 2,000 EUR = 500 EUR | 5 % x 1,000 EUR = 50 EUR |
| Performance tuning | 800 EUR | 0 EUR |
| 3-year total | 12,370 EUR | 10,030 EUR |
A gap of about 2,300 EUR over 3 years may look modest. It grows over time and above all with risk: an IT services firm whose own website gets hacked loses credibility with its clients.
When WordPress is still the right choice
WordPress still makes sense if the team already knows the tool, if the site depends on a business plugin with no equivalent (complex booking, LMS) or if the build budget is capped at 5,000 EUR. In that case, sign a serious maintenance contract with monthly updates, daily backups and a web application firewall.
Mini case study
Siobhan, managing director of a 20-person IT services firm in Dublin, compares two quotes: WordPress at 6,000 EUR and Next.js with Sanity at 8,000 EUR. Over 3 years, the first reaches 12,370 EUR against 10,030 EUR for the second, a saving of 2,340 EUR. The static site loads in 1.4 s instead of 3.1 s: if the contact form conversion rate rises from 1.5 to 2 % on 1,500 monthly visits, she gains 7.5 requests per month. With 1 signed contract per 10 requests at an average value of 15,000 EUR, that is close to 11,000 EUR of extra monthly revenue.
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FAQ
Is a static site cheaper than WordPress for an SME in Dublin?
To build, it is often slightly more expensive (5,500 to 9,000 EUR depending on the CMS). Over 3 years, it usually costs 15 to 20 % less thanks to lower hosting and maintenance.
Can my 3 staff edit the site without a developer?
Yes, with a headless CMS such as Sanity: an editing interface, preview before publishing and separate roles. A one-hour training is enough.
How many security updates does WordPress require?
About 12 interventions per year across core, theme and plugins. An outdated plugin remains the leading cause of hacks.
Is SEO better with a static site?
Speed helps: an LCP under 2 s is part of the Core Web Vitals Google considers. Content and links remain decisive whatever the technology.
What timeline for a 25-page site?
About 5 to 6 weeks for WordPress and 6 to 7 weeks for Next.js with a headless CMS.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page count, editors and publishing pace, and we will price both options with their 3-year cost, between 5,000 and 9,000 EUR to build. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
