5 Reasons Why Migrating Django to WordPress Makes Sense

If you aren’t happy with your Django-based website’s performance, it’s time for Django to WordPress migration. There is a reason behind making this statement. Around 39% of websites are powered by WordPress, and this figure in itself is justification for making the move to WordPress. WordPress websites are known for their ease of use and flexibility. If a majority of websites are trusting WordPress, then clearly it must be doing something right. It has a CMS market share of a mammoth 63.7% as compared to Django’s 1.09%. WordPress CMS is one of the biggest content management systems globally, with millions of WordPress users. WordPress's huge plugin ecosystem allows users to easily manage content and extend functionality without coding.

It does look like a no contest.

Here are a few Django statistics that will give you the lay of the land vis-à-vis its usage:

But, having said that, there is no doubt websites are being built with Django, and probably your website is too. WordPress sites and Django websites serve different needs, with WordPress sites being more prevalent for content-driven and blogging purposes. The purpose of this article is not to highlight the negative aspects of using Django but to ensure you make an informed decision as to why you must migrate. WordPress supports dynamic websites and is built using PHP, a programming language that is more widely adopted than other languages like Python.

Let’s drill-down a little bit to understand why websites over the world trust WordPress, which will give you more confidence in making a switch to WordPress from Django. As an example, many businesses choose WordPress over other frameworks for its rapid deployment and extensive support. WordPress originated as a blogging platform and has evolved into a full-featured CMS. One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is its active community and the vast number of WordPress websites worldwide.

Introduction to Web Development

Web development is the foundation of creating and maintaining websites and web applications that power our digital world. Whether you’re building a personal website, a small business site, or a complex web application, web development involves a blend of creative and technical skills. The process includes designing user interfaces, coding with languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and ensuring that your website or web application functions smoothly across different devices and browsers.

A key part of modern web development is choosing the right content management system (CMS) or framework. Platforms like WordPress and Django have become essential tools for developers and businesses alike, enabling them to create dynamic, engaging, and scalable websites. From managing content to deploying new features, web development is at the heart of creating an effective online presence—whether you’re launching a blog, an e-commerce store, or a custom web application.

Overview of Django and WordPress

Django and WordPress are two of the most popular platforms in the web development landscape, each catering to different needs and project types. Django is a powerful backend web framework built with Python, favored by django developers for its flexibility and ability to create custom web applications from the ground up. It’s ideal for projects that require unique functionality, complex workflows, or integration with other systems.

On the other hand, WordPress is a content management system (CMS) written in PHP, renowned for its user-friendly interface and massive ecosystem of plugins and themes. WordPress is the clear winner for content-driven websites, blogs, and businesses that want to launch quickly and scale easily. Its huge ecosystem allows developers and non-developers alike to add as many features as needed without extensive coding. While Django offers unmatched customizability for web applications, WordPress dominates the CMS market share thanks to its ease of use, rapid development capabilities, and strong community support.

1. Convention non-conformity

The lack of conventions in Django when it comes to web development means there is a chance for a range of development issues to crop up. Mismatched components are a common problem and developers who are used to working with a given set of principles to develop a website can face problems. Django developers also need to define each and every aspect of development, which has an impact on the speed of development. WordPress on the other hand is easy to use as it has clearly defined coding standards and naming conventions. WordPress also maintains strong backward compatibility, making it easier to upgrade plugins and themes without breaking existing functionality. This means developers have to follow conventions, which results in seamless and accelerated development.

2. Framework Availability

When it comes to WordPress, there is a tremendous range of frameworks you can work with. Developers can leverage these frameworks to design and develop a website that perfectly meets your needs and requirements. WordPress is especially suitable for small websites due to its quick setup and extensive plugin options. On the other hand, there are a very limited number of frameworks that can be used for Django, and you typically have to build your website from scratch if you are using Django. This can result in a scenario, wherein, you aren’t entirely happy with the final product as your idea was lost in translation at the development stage itself.

3. The Monolithic Structure of Django

It is the monolithic structure of Django that at times can result in problems. There is no flexibility from the components point of view, all of which are tightly coupled. This means all components have to be installed at the same time and developers usually fall into certain patterns while developing for Django.

There are a limited number of Django dependencies resulting in a lot of programming that ultimately can result in a lot of bug leading to functional inefficiencies. This results in a whole lot of development level firefighting.

WordPress on the other hand is extremely user friendly and customization is a breeze. Also, it offers a huge amount of maneuverability for developers, which means they can focus on strategic development without worrying about coding complexities.

4. The ‘Requests’ Issue

The main problem with Django is its inability to manage multiple requests at the same time. On a website, each process demands numerous requests and these take time to be addressed in Django. As can be imagined, this isn’t good news from the development and performance aspect. Now, there are specific reasons why this functionality is unavailable in Django, but multiple requests can easily be handled in WordPress. WordPress is also optimized to work efficiently on a wide range of servers, making it easier to scale and maintain performance. This is again why a transition to WordPress from Django makes such a great deal of sense.

5. Lack of Across-the-Board Applicability

Ask any developer whether Django can be used for all website projects, and they will say no. It really doesn’t make sense to you Django if the scope of your website is smaller and you don’t need a lot of features and functionalities.

The problem with Django is that the coding time shoots through the roof and therefore the development process eats into the server processing time and bandwidth. WordPress, on the other hand, benefits from a wide variety of hosting options, including managed WordPress hosting, which simplifies deployment and ongoing maintenance. Therefore, it doesn’t really make a great deal of sense to invest this kind of time and effort in the use of Django. Again, Django development takes time because of the long-drawn out coding.

Think of a scenario wherein, you want to add an extra functionality to your Django site. This needs to be done in a hurry or you lose a critical window of opportunity to make a mark on your customers. This is where WordPress can come in to save the day with rapid integration of the needed functionality. Therefore, WordPress migration makes infinite sense.

Pre-Migration Planning

Before migrating your website from Django to WordPress—or vice versa—thorough pre-migration planning is crucial. Start by evaluating your current website’s architecture, including the database structure, plugins, and any custom functionality. Consider the compatibility of your existing plugins and themes with the new platform, and assess how the migration might impact your users’ experience.

It’s also important to analyze the market share and long-term viability of each platform. WordPress, with its dominant market share, offers a wide range of plugins and support, while Django may require more custom development. Make sure to review your website’s database requirements and ensure that your data can be transferred smoothly. By carefully planning each step, you can minimize downtime, avoid data loss, and ensure a seamless transition for your website and its users.

Migration Process

Migrating your website from Django to WordPress—or the other way around—involves a series of technical steps to ensure all your content, database, and functionality are transferred accurately. The process typically starts with exporting your existing data, such as posts, pages, and user information, and then importing it into the new platform using specialized plugins or migration scripts.

You may need to recode certain features or redesign elements to match the capabilities of the new platform. Testing is a critical part of the migration process—make sure to check all website functionality, including forms, plugins, and interactive elements, to ensure everything works as expected. Whether you’re moving to WordPress for its user-friendly plugins or to Django for its custom web application capabilities, a well-executed migration process is key to maintaining your website’s integrity and performance.

Post-Migration Optimization

Once your website has been successfully migrated, post-migration optimization is essential to maximize performance and visibility. Start by configuring your website’s settings to take full advantage of the new platform’s features. Optimize your database for speed and reliability, and ensure that your content is properly indexed by search engines to maintain or improve your rankings.

You may also need to update your website’s code to leverage new functionality available in WordPress or Django, and to ensure compatibility with the latest plugins and themes. Regularly monitor your site’s performance and user experience, making adjustments as needed to keep your website fast, secure, and user-friendly. By focusing on post-migration optimization, you can create a robust online presence that attracts more users and helps you achieve your business goals—whether you’re using WordPress, Django, or another platform.

6. Command and Community

There is a very steep learning curve associated with Django. It’s not one of those frameworks that is easy to learn. The Django community, however, provides valuable resources and support for both new and experienced developers. This is where WordPress essentially towers over Django. While there is no doubt about Django’s working, once you have mastered it, the fact that it is Python based adds certain complexities to the mix. Also, there is a difference in syntax as compared to Python, and if your website is being built by someone who is not a Django expert, you might have a problem on your hands. From my personal experience, learning WordPress was much quicker compared to Django, which required more time and effort to understand.

Another reason why you need to move website from Django to WordPress, is that there is already a growing community of WordPress developers and this is growing fast. Many Django developers are self taught, often relying on community forums and documentation to overcome challenges. So, in case of problems, it is this community and the freely available documentation that will come to your rescue.

The Big Boys Trust WordPress

If you still have doubts about migrating to WordPress from Django, why not get some confidence from the fact that some of biggest brands in the world trust WordPress. This includes, BBC America, The New Yorker, Tech Crunch, Bloomberg, Sony Music, The Walt Disney Company, Quartz, Dassault Aviation and more are using WordPress. Features like one click install make it easy for organizations of all sizes to quickly launch and manage their WordPress sites. The platform is delivering immense value to them in different ways and means. If they are using it, you must use it too!

Conclusion

There is no doubt that WordPress brings a slew of benefits to the table, and while Django isn’t a bad framework, at all, it unfortunately cannot match WordPress’ resourcefulness. The choice at the end of the day is yours, but it is imperative that you do some research and work out what suits you best. There is no doubt that you will veer towards Django to WordPress migration.