ExpressionEngine vs WordPress: Choosing the Best CMS for Your Needs

Comparing ExpressionEngine vs WordPress and not sure where to start?

In this article we break down their key differences to help you choose the most suitable CMS for your project. We’ll cover usability, customization, security, and ecommerce features.

Key Takeaways

• WordPress is preferred by beginners, bloggers, and small to large businesses due to its user-friendly interface and extensive plugin and theme ecosystem, while ExpressionEngine caters to developers seeking more customization and code-based solutions.
• WordPress is easier to use with a more intuitive interface, making it accessible for users with limited technical skills, whereas ExpressionEngine offers more flexibility but comes with a steeper learning curve and is more complex to navigate.
• Both CMS platforms offer robust security features and ecommerce capabilities; WordPress relies on popular plugins like WooCommerce for ecommerce, while ExpressionEngine depends on premium add-ons like Expresso Store.

ExpressionEngine vs WordPress

The purpose of contrasting ExpressionEngine and WordPress is to help users identify the most suitable platform for their website’s goals. This analysis delineates how each platform addresses:

• Content publication
• Page customization
• Security
• Ecommerce

Overview of ExpressionEngine and WordPress

Both WordPress and ExpressionEngine are designed to publish and display various types of online content. WordPress, powering over 43% of the web, is a popular choice for its versatility and user-friendly interface. ExpressionEngine, on the other hand, caters more to web developers who seek to create and design their own websites.

This analysis will cover how each platform handles crucial functionalities such as:

• content publication
• page customization
• security
• ecommerce

Understanding how each platform handles these features will help you in choosing the content management system that best matches your objectives, especially in the realm of digital marketing and optimizing web pages.

Target Audience Comparison

The primary distinction between WordPress and ExpressionEngine is their intended user base.

WordPress, a popular blogging engine that has evolved into a mighty CMS, caters well to:

• Novices and Do-It-Yourselfers
• Bloggers
• Small business owners
• Enterprise-level corporations

Thanks to its intuitive interface and a vast collection of themes and plugins, the template system is highly appealing in the web design world. Its appeal lies in its ability to quickly set up and manage a website with minimal technical knowledge. Alternatively, you can hire a professional web design agency to handcraft a custom WordPress website for your business.

ExpressionEngine is a developer-oriented platform geared towards web developers and advanced users who require more code-based solutions and are comfortable with a steeper learning curve. As an expression engine, it is ideal for those who prefer to write more code themselves and appreciate the platform’s scalable architecture and ability to create highly bespoke applications using ExpressionEngine CMS.

Ease of Use

Ease of use is a key consideration in selecting a CMS. WordPress is renowned for its intuitive interface, making it approachable for users with diverse technical skills. With the growing popularity of CMS websites, choosing a platform that caters to your needs, such as popular content management systems is essential.

In contrast, ExpressionEngine has a steeper learning curve and requires more coding knowledge to navigate its complex backend.

WordPress Interface

WordPress offers a streamlined and intuitive dashboard that simplifies website management. As a content management system, everything is clearly labelled, making it easier for users to find settings and options. The visual editor allows users to create engaging content without extensive coding knowledge. Users can add and customize modules visually with the Block Editor, enhancing the platform’s user-friendliness.

Migrating to WordPress often appeals to those seeking a lower learning curve and a more accessible backend experience. The platform excels in ease of getting started, making it ideal for those without extensive technical expertise.

ExpressionEngine Interface

ExpressionEngine’s interface can be more complex to navigate, particularly for non-developers. Its highly customizable dashboard allows developers to tailor it to specific project needs. This flexibility is a double-edged sword, providing complete control but requiring more effort to master.

ExpressionEngine separates settings into general and developer options, simplifying customization tasks for those familiar with coding. This separation can streamline workflows for developers but may present challenges for new users or those without technical backgrounds.

Customization and Add-ons

WordPress and ExpressionEngine both provide broad customization possibilities via plugins, themes, and add-ons. These resources augment the functionality of each CMS, enabling users to modify their websites to meet their unique requirements.

WordPress Plugins and Themes

WordPress boasts a vast library of plugins and themes that enable extensive customization. To compare WordPress options, users can explore free and premium plugins like Perfmatters, which optimizes page load times. Some popular plugins and themes include:

• Perfmatters: optimizes page load times
• Astra: a popular theme known for its speed and customization capabilities
• OceanWP: another popular theme with customization options
• GeneratePress: a lightweight theme with customization capabilities
• Avada: a theme with a built-in page builder for added flexibility
• Divi: another theme with a built-in page builder

These tools allow WordPress users to customize their websites to their liking.

Hiring a professional WordPress developer to design a custom theme can provide total flexibility for those seeking a more tailored approach. This extensive ecosystem of plugins and themes makes WordPress a versatile choice for users of all technical levels, including those interested in web development.

ExpressionEngine Add-ons

ExpressionEngine add-ons focus on adding targeted features rather than altering core functionalities. Available add-ons include modules, plugins, and extensions that enhance the system’s capabilities and cater to different development needs. Installing these add-ons involves downloading files from the repository and uploading them to a specific directory in the site’s installation.

The ExpressionEngine community regularly contributes to the development of add-ons, extending the CMS’s functionality. This flexibility allows developers to create highly customized websites without the constraints often found in other CMS platforms.

Security Features

Security is a primary concern for any CMS, and both WordPress and ExpressionEngine provide sturdy security features. Their built-in security features and susceptibilities vary.

WordPress Security

WordPress includes default security measures like auto-updates for minor releases to keep the platform secure. However, hackers highly target it, with numerous attacks reported daily. Common vulnerabilities include plugin vulnerabilities, brute force attacks, and cross-site scripting (XSS).

To enhance security, users can install additional plugins like Wordfence and Sucuri, which add layers of protection to a WordPress site. Proper website maintenance, including keeping software up-to-date, is crucial to mitigating security risks.

To learn how to lock you WordPress site down with our WordPress Security and hardening best practices, we recommend our article; The 4 Pillars of WordPress Security.

ExpressionEngine Security

ExpressionEngine is known for its robust security features, making it suitable for complex projects that need tailored functionality. It includes an XSS sanitization method that is regularly updated to enhance security. The platform also employs CSRF tokens to protect against Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks, adding a random string to all forms.

ExpressionEngine’s advanced user management and security protocols, such as the Input Class that normalizes new lines and converts keys to UTF-8, provide a secure environment for website development. This robust security framework makes ExpressionEngine a favoured choice for developers requiring high security.

E-commerce Capabilities

WordPress and ExpressionEngine both require extensions or add-ons to add e-commerce functionality, which is excluded from their core attributes. Each platform provides an array of solutions to fulfill the broad functionalities for operating an online store.

WordPress Ecommerce

WordPress relies heavily on plugins for ecommerce, with WooCommerce being the most popular option. WooCommerce allows users to:

• Sell both physical and digital products
• Extend store functionality with numerous add-ons
• Enhance SEO
• Integrate various payment gateways

Other ecommerce plugins like Easy Digital Downloads cater to specific needs, such as selling digital products. This flexibility makes WordPress a strong contender for those looking to set up an online store with minimal hassle.

ExpressionEngine E-commerce

ExpressionEngine’s e-commerce capabilities depend on premium add-ons, some of which can be costly. Popular add-ons like Expresso Store and CartThrob provide robust e-commerce solutions, although they come with licensing fees.

Additionally, ExpressionEngine can integrate with external platforms like Ecwid to enable e-commerce functionalities, but this might require a monthly subscription. This setup provides flexibility but may involve higher initial and ongoing costs.

Cost and Pricing Model

The pricing models for WordPress and ExpressionEngine vary substantially, including licensing fees, hosting, and other costs. Comprehending these expenses is essential for making a well-informed choice.

WordPress Costs

WordPress’s core software is free, but additional costs come from:

• Hosting
• Domain names
• SSL certificates
• Themes
• Plugins
• Custom WordPress Design and Development

Domain names can range from $0.99 to $39.99 per year, while SSL certificates can cost between $0 to $1,000 per year. Depending on your site’s needs, hosting plans vary from $2 to $400 per month.

Building a custom WordPress website can have substantial upfront costs, starting from $20,000, including custom-designed themes and tailored functionality. These costs make WordPress accessible yet customizable, catering to a wide range of budgets.

ExpressionEngine Costs

ExpressionEngine involves upfront licensing fees, annual maintenance costs, and potential additional features expenses. For instance, premium e-commerce add-ons can cost hundreds of dollars to license.

Despite these costs, ExpressionEngine’s flexibility and robust features can justify the investment for developers and businesses needing tailored solutions.

Support and Community

Both platforms provide wide-ranging support via their communities and professional services. The kind and scope of this aid can profoundly influence your experience with the CMS.

WordPress Community

WordPress boasts a vast and extensive community that engages through numerous forums. The WordPress.org forums are a place for users running their own WordPress software to get help from the community.

In addition to official support, third-party support from freelance developers, agencies, and dedicated services is readily available. This large community ensures that users can easily find help and resources.

ExpressionEngine Community

ExpressionEngine has a dedicated but smaller community than WordPress. Users can find support through Slack, forums, and GitHub. Despite its size, the ExpressionEngine community maintains a high customer satisfaction rate with its support services, achieving over 98% in customer ratings.

ExpressionEngine offers access to top developers worldwide for those looking to upgrade or modernize their sites. This dedicated community and professional support make it a reliable choice for those needing specialized assistance.

Client Experiences

Client experiences during transitions between ExpressionEngine and WordPress underline each platform’s pragmatic advantages and difficulties. These insights can direct your decision-making process.

Migration from ExpressionEngine to WordPress

Clients migrating from ExpressionEngine to WordPress often highlight improved ease of use, a more extensive plugin ecosystem, and improved backend accessibility and performance.

Such migrations usually aim to achieve a like-for-like migration with enhanced performance, making site management simpler post-migration.

Migration from WordPress to ExpressionEngine

Clients migrating from WordPress to ExpressionEngine often seek enhanced customization capabilities and more robust security features. Post-migration, these users praise ExpressionEngine for its flexibility and ability to tailor their sites’ functionalities to better suit their specific needs.

This migration is typically driven by the need for more website control, highlighting ExpressionEngine’s appeal to developers and businesses with specific technical requirements.

ExpressionEngine vs WordPress; The Bottom Line

Choosing between ExpressionEngine and WordPress ultimately depends on your specific needs and technical expertise. With its user-friendly interface and extensive plugin ecosystem, WordPress is ideal for beginners and those looking for a quick setup and easy management. Its vast community and support resources make it accessible to a broad audience, from hobbyist bloggers to large enterprises.

On the other hand, ExpressionEngine offers robust customization and security features that appeal to developers and advanced users. While it has a steeper learning curve and higher initial costs, its flexibility and ability to create highly bespoke applications make it a strong contender for complex projects. Balancing these factors will help you determine the best CMS for your website’s goals.