The verdict in three sentences
WordPress is still the cheapest to build and the most flexible for a marketing team that knows it, but it is expensive in security maintenance. Webflow gives the best editorial autonomy for a 20 to 60 page site with no in-house developer, at the cost of depending on a US licence. Next.js with a headless CMS is the most robust option for a fast, multilingual site integrated with your IT systems, provided you accept a higher entry ticket and a supplier able to maintain it.
Total cost of ownership over 3 years
The build price says very little. What matters to an IT director is the total cost over the life of the site, typically 3 to 5 years.
| Item (2026 order of magnitude, excl. VAT) | WordPress | Webflow | Next.js + headless CMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build (30 to 50 pages, two languages) | €9,000 to €15,000 | €8,000 to €14,000 | €14,000 to €25,000 |
| Licences and plugins per year | €300 to €800 | €500 to €1,200 (CMS or Business plan) | €0 to €1,500 (CMS by volume) |
| Hosting per year | €300 to €900 | Included in licence | €240 to €1,200 |
| Updates and security per year | €1,500 to €3,000 | €200 to €500 | €600 to €1,500 |
| Estimated 3-year total | €15,300 to €29,100 | €10,100 to €19,100 | €16,520 to €37,600 |
| Typical mobile Lighthouse score | 55 to 80 | 70 to 90 | Above 95 |
Webflow often wins on pure cost. Next.js becomes competitive as soon as the site must connect to an ERP, a product configurator or a distributor portal.
The criteria that matter to an industrial IT director
| Criterion | WordPress | Webflow | Next.js + headless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack surface | High (third-party plugins) | Low (managed platform) | Very low (static or hybrid site) |
| Editorial autonomy | Good, familiar editor | Very good, visual | Good with Sanity, Strapi or Payload |
| Multilingual (FR/EN/DE) | Paid plugin, sometimes heavy | Native localisation, cost per language | Native, per-language routes |
| ERP, PIM, CRM integration | Possible via API, fragile | Limited | Full, custom |
| Portability | Strong (open source) | Weak (partial export) | Strong (code and content exportable) |
| Data hosting | Your choice, EU possible | US by default | Your choice, EU possible |
For an SME that exports and publishes technical datasheets, multilingual support and the product catalogue often matter more than design.
How to choose without regrets
If the site is mainly a corporate showcase and recruitment page, Webflow or a well-maintained WordPress is enough. If you have 200 product references, 3 languages and PDF datasheets to sync from a PIM, headless Next.js avoids workarounds. Either way, insist on a brief that specifies the number of templates, languages, integrations and the expected performance level.
Mini case study
Marc, IT director of a 150-employee precision engineering SME near Lyon, must publish 180 product pages in French, English and German. WordPress quote: €14,000 plus €2,500 a year in maintenance and €400 in multilingual plugins, so €22,700 over 3 years. Next.js quote with a headless CMS connected to the PIM: €22,000 plus €1,200 a year, so €25,600 over 3 years. The €2,900 gap is offset by removing double entry of product data, estimated at 4 hours a week for the marketing assistant at a loaded cost of €35 per hour, or €7,280 a year. Next.js pays back in under 6 months.
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FAQ
Is WordPress really less secure?
The core is solid, but most vulnerabilities come from plugins. A site with 25 plugins needs monthly updates, hence a budget of €1,500 to €3,000 a year.
Is Webflow suitable for an industrial SME?
Yes for a 20 to 60 page site and an autonomous marketing team. It becomes limiting beyond 10,000 CMS items or when the site must talk to an ERP.
Is Next.js too complex for an SME?
The code is handled by the supplier and the team edits in the CMS. The main risk is supplier dependency, which you limit with a code repository in your name and delivered documentation.
How long does a 40-page corporate site take?
Allow 8 to 10 weeks on WordPress or Webflow, 10 to 14 weeks on Next.js with integrations.
Can we migrate later?
Yes, but a migration costs 40 to 70% of a new build. It is better to pick the right foundation from the start.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of pages, languages and systems to connect (ERP, PIM, CRM): we will send a 3-year total cost comparison and an 8 to 14 week plan. 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.
