The problem with WordPress
WordPress powers everything - and that is exactly the problem. A database, 30+ tables, plugins that break on every update, and a constant stream of security patches.
For a small site or shop, that is massive overkill.
The flat-file alternative
Everything lives in plain files:
<?php
$products = json_decode(file_get_contents('data/products.json'), true);
- Zero setup - upload and run
- Version controlled - your whole site is in git
- Fast - no database queries, just file reads
- Portable - copy the folder, done
When to use what
Flat-file for: blogs, portfolios, small shops, docs sites. WordPress for: complex membership sites with 50 plugins. Choose the tool that fits the job.