The verdict in three sentences
For a simple corporate site on a controlled budget, WordPress at 800,000-1,500,000 FCFA stays the fast, cheap-to-buy option. But its total cost balloons with plugin licenses (180,000 FCFA/year), security maintenance (60,000 FCFA/month) and hacking risk. A custom site at 2,000,000-4,000,000 FCFA costs more upfront but removes licenses, gains performance and cuts the breach risk in half.
The real three-year cost
A CIO does not look at purchase price but at total cost of ownership. Here is the comparison in FCFA over 36 months.
| Line item (FCFA, 2026) | WordPress | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 800,000-1,500,000 | 2,000,000-4,000,000 |
| Plugin licenses/year | 180,000 | ~0 |
| Security maintenance/month | 60,000 | 30,000 |
| Hosting/year | 120,000 | 150,000 |
| Total cost 36 months | 3,200,000-3,900,000 | 3,200,000-5,200,000 |
| Performance (PageSpeed) | 45-70 | 80-95 |
Over three years the gap narrows sharply: recurring licenses and security catch up with the custom premium. Custom becomes profitable once the target lifespan exceeds four years.
Security and dependency: the risk factor
Cost is not everything. Attack surface and third-party dependency weigh heavily for a corporate site.
| Security criterion (2026) | WordPress | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Origin of hacks | 40% via plugins | reduced surface |
| Update frequency | weekly | quarterly |
| Third-party dependency | high (10-20 plugins) | low |
| Downtime/year | 4-8 h | 1-2 h |
| Cost of a major incident | 500,000-1,500,000 FCFA | rare |
| Code ownership | shared | full |
WordPress pools global risk: a flaw in a popular plugin exposes you instantly. Custom shrinks the attack surface and makes you the owner of your code.
Mini case study
Kurt, CIO of an agri-industrial group in Berlin, runs a WordPress site with 14 plugins. In 2025 an unpatched plugin opens a breach: site defaced for 6 hours, 900,000 FCFA to restore and a hit to partner trust. Observed hidden annual cost: 180,000 FCFA licenses + 720,000 FCFA maintenance + 900,000 FCFA incident = 1,800,000 FCFA. He moves to a custom site at 3,000,000 FCFA. Over the next 24 months: zero incidents, PageSpeed rises from 52 to 88, recurring cost halved. Payback reached in 20 months.
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FAQ
How much does a corporate WordPress site cost in 2026?
Between 800,000 and 1,500,000 FCFA to build, plus roughly 180,000 FCFA/year in plugin licenses and 60,000 FCFA/month in security maintenance.
Is custom always more expensive?
Upfront yes (2,000,000-4,000,000 FCFA), but over three years the gap closes thanks to the absence of licenses. Beyond four years it is often cheaper.
Why is WordPress more exposed to hacking?
Because 40% of web hacks come from outdated plugins. A site running 10 to 20 plugins multiplies its attack surface.
Is custom faster?
Yes: without superfluous plugins, a custom site hits 80-95 PageSpeed versus 45-70 for a loaded WordPress. Speed is a direct SEO factor.
Can I migrate from WordPress to custom?
Yes, preserving URLs and content. Expect 3 to 6 weeks and a redirect plan to lose no ranking.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your page count, integrations and site lifespan horizon: we price WordPress and custom side by side in FCFA. 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.
