Answer · Cost & Scope
What’s the difference between a $2,000 WP site and a $20,000 one?
The first is a template-flip. The second is a custom theme. Specific column-by-column comparison.
The first is a template-flip. The second is a custom theme. Specific column-by-column comparison below.
| Dimension | $2,000 site | $20,000 site |
|---|---|---|
| Theme | Premium theme + page builder | Custom theme on Gutenberg + ACF |
| LCP on mobile | 3 — 5 s typical | Sub-1 s on launch |
| Plugins | 15 — 30 active | 8 — 12 active |
| WCAG 2.2 AA | Not tested | Documented + screen-reader passed |
| Editor training | None | 60-min Loom + written runbook |
| Handover | Login + “you’re set” | Code repo + docs + warranty |
| Vendor lock-in | High (theme + builder updates) | Low (everything you own) |
The cost difference compounds. The $2,000 site costs $4,000/year in remediation by year three. The $20,000 site costs $4,800/year on a Care Plan retainer that delivers measured improvements every month. Same five-year TCO, very different posture.
The decision isn’t “which is better” — it’s “which mistake can your team afford to make”. If you’re stretched thin, the $2,000 site postpones the real conversation. The $20,000 site forces you to have it now.