When all you have is a hammer, everything is a nail. We believe in using the right tool for the job and not every website and application has the same set of needs. Picking the right tool up front is one of the most important things you can do.
TL;DR: We use Laravel for applications, WordPress for smaller “brochureware” sites, and Drupal for complex websites that may require some light application work.
Do you even need a developer? If it’s a smaller content-only site? Something like SquareSpace or Wix can be a great way to get your site up and running fast without a third party. Even smaller e-commerce sites can build their own Shopify sites. You can still get assistance with these applications from developers if you need to do something that might be above your company’s technical skill.
Let’s assume that in addition to basic content, you need something a little extra. Maybe it’s a special calculator or something similar. Maybe you want to apply a unique design that’s tailored to your brand. Maybe there’s an actual application component. Then it’s time to look at a Content Management System (CMS) or a framework.
Is this an application or a website? This can be a tricky question that may be a mix of both, but generally if you have a consolidated group of functions that are logically grouped, we call that an application. If you have more disparate needs and a lot of content, we would call that a website. Websites are best served by a CMS that can be easily updated to keep up with ever changing technical needs. An application is better on a framework that allows for maximum flexibility to make sure you aren’t fighting the system.
Ok, maybe your site isn’t quite in application land and we can use a CMS. WordPress or Drupal? We have two major concerns when making this decision. Drupal is a much more secure and robust CMS that is much better with complicated content relationships but it also requires more work upfront to get it rolling. WordPress is great at getting up and running quickly and has a more recognizable interface but is less secure and doesn’t have the same guardrails that can save you from bad code creeping in.