It’s a familiar scenario for WordPress freelancers: Your client wants a new feature on their website. It’s a complicated one with no easy solution.

Perhaps there’s a plugin that can get you 50% toward your goal. You could customize it to go the rest of the way. That’s great – but it will require a lot of additional work. How will you maintain it? What’s the risk?

For one, you’ll be dependent on that plugin. Future updates could impact the custom code you’ve written – leaving you to deal with any fallout. That means you’ll need to keep up with its development roadmap. You might have to adapt with little notice.

The other option is building a feature from scratch. The advantage here is not having to rely on a third-party developer. In addition, you don’t have to worry about bloated code or unnecessary extras. You can build it to match your needs.

The downside? You’ll need to be familiar with writing secure and performant code. And what happens when your client wants to expand the feature? Adding functionality isn’t always an easy task. Things can become clunky and unstable.

Alas, the choice is difficult. So, how do you make the best decision for you and your client? What should you look for?

Here are some considerations when choosing between a custom solution or extending an existing plugin.

Determine Your Short and Long-Term Needs

The first step is to determine the project’s short and long-term needs. Discuss the feature with your client to learn their hopes and expectations.

Be sure to ask many questions about what they want to achieve. As the saying goes, the devil is in the details. Clients don’t always understand the task and may be looking for something unrealistic. Or they may realize that they need something else.

You can create a list of requirements once you know their needs. However, the difference between the short and long-term is worth noting.

The project’s short-term needs should cover the basics. Think about what it will take to get started. That includes the initial functionality, look, and budget.

The long-term needs are more about maintenance and extensibility. What will it take to maintain the new feature? How might the feature evolve? Will your client want to extend its capabilities? What future costs may be involved?

Once you have some answers, it’s time to search for the right solution.

Will a WordPress Plugin Fit Your Project?

The WordPress ecosystem has a plugin for just about every task. That’s why it makes sense to look here first when researching a new feature.

Sometimes, you might find a plugin that does exactly what you need. For example, there’s usually a WooCommerce extension to add specific functionality to your store. However, that’s not always the case.

More often, you’ll find a plugin that offers a partial solution. It may perform some of the functions you’re looking for. Or maybe it does just about everything – but doesn’t look how you want.

There’s usually some level of a tradeoff when using an off-the-shelf product. It won’t cover every potential use case.

The good news is it’s possible to extend third-party plugins. The degree to which you can customize them can vary, though. Plugins like WooCommerce or The Events Calendar are well-documented and have a clear path to customization. Others can require more effort and research.

Much depends on what you want to customize as well. Changing the look may be as simple as writing some CSS. Then again, you might need to create an entirely new template.

Extending functionality also varies. A plugin that offers plenty of hooks, filters, and functions will likely be easier to extend. Otherwise, you may have to write your own.

Working with a plugin requires a commitment. So, it’s worth asking some important questions before you take the plunge:

  • What is the plugin’s reputation? Consider how popular the plugin is and its reputation in the WordPress ecosystem. Pay close attention to support policies and how quickly the developer responds to questions.
  • How often is the plugin updated? Look at the plugin’s changelog to see how frequently updates are released and what’s included. Pay particular attention to items that could impact any customizations you make.
  • Is there a path to customization? Some plugins are easier to customize than others. Read the documentation and look for examples of custom implementations.
  • What’s the long-term outlook? Switching plugins is a major hassle – especially when you make customizations. Choose a plugin that will be around for years to come.

The above factors should help you determine if a plugin is a good candidate for customization.

Sometimes It’s Better to Start from Scratch

There are scenarios when a third-party plugin isn’t a good fit. Customizing it may be too difficult or unstable. There may also be red flags regarding the product’s reputation and support.

That’s when a fully custom solution becomes the best option. It’s a chance to build from scratch and focus on a singular goal. It may also be easier than ripping apart an existing product to try and fit your needs.

A narrower focus can be beneficial to performance and maintenance. Plugins that try to appeal to a wide audience might be overkill for your needs. Going custom could mean a leaner codebase. Think of all that unnecessary JavaScript you’ll cut out.

It’s also a great learning experience for freelancers. Taking a custom project from start to finish will make things that much easier in the future. It may lead to expanding your services and raising your rates to boot.

The Potential Risks

It’s not all blue skies and unicorns, though. Taking this approach can be a little more adventurous – and expensive.

There will be more upfront costs for your client. Building from the ground up could require more time and resources. That will usually cost more than a yearly plugin license. It may be a bridge too far for a budget-minded client.

And what if you’re not a developer? You’ll need to partner with someone to write the code for you (or take your chances with AI). Finding a reliable and talented developer is also a challenge.

Extensibility is another concern. It takes experience to build functionality that can be extended later. A poorly coded solution may make things more difficult when it’s time for new bells and whistles.

None of this means building from scratch is a bad idea. It may still be the best approach. But it’s always a good idea to think about the potential downsides.

How to Make the Right Decision

So, how do you know whether to use a plugin or build from scratch? There’s no universal answer. That’s why it’s so fun (and frustrating) for WordPress freelancers.

The path you choose depends on the project and the existing options available. A quality, extensible plugin is often a good bet. It may be worth customizing – even if there is a bit of overhead.

Niche or complex functionality is a different story. You may not find the right plugin to get you started. In that case, a custom solution makes sense.

The trick is to look at your project from all angles. Think about what the feature should look like now. Then, try to predict how it might change in the future.

Overall, the goal is determining which approach gives you the best chance of success. It’s not an easy decision. However, experience and a little research can help you make the right choice.

Thankfully, WordPress offers a world of options for achieving your goals. Unlimited possibilities mean that you won’t have to settle.

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