Elwis vs WordPress: Build Custom Web Apps (Not Just Sites)

Introduction

Launching a website today is easier than ever. Entrepreneurs, startups, and creators can spin up pages in minutes with tools like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. Page builders and templates have made “going online” simple, even without coding.

But while these platforms are great for websites, they aren’t built for applications. That’s where Elwis comes in. Elwis doesn’t just give you pages; it gives you workflows, data models, access rights, and integrations – the building blocks of modern apps.

Let’s explore the difference between websites and web apps, and how the creation experience in Elwis fundamentally differs from WordPress.

What is a Web Application?

A web application is a software program that runs in a web browser, accessed over the internet, and allows users to interact with it to perform tasks. Unlike traditional software, web applications do not require downloads or installations.

Web apps are interactive and often rely on backend processing to handle requests, manipulate data, and provide dynamic functionality.

Key Features of Web Applications

• User Authentication: Users can create accounts, log in, and manage profiles.
• Data Interaction: Users can submit forms, edit content, or perform other actions that update data.
• Real-time Updates: Changes can appear instantly without refreshing the page.
• Cross-Platform: Accessible from desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.
• Dynamic Content: Information is generated or updated based on user actions or system processes.

Use Cases of Web Applications

• Email Services: Gmail, Yahoo Mail
• Online Banking: Checking balances, transferring funds
• Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter
• E-commerce: Amazon, eBay
• Forms and Surveys: Online forms where users submit data

Website vs. Web Application

At first glance, websites and web applications might sound like the same thing. They are seemingly interchangeable terms, but their purpose is very different:

• Websites are built to inform, publish, or showcase. They’re content-first.
• Web Applications are built to interact, process, and enable user-driven workflows. They’re functionality-first.

This article explains the differences in further detail.

To make the difference concrete:

• Website: A blog, a company portfolio, or a marketing page that primarily displays information.
• Web Application: A booking form, an expense tracker, a dashboard, or a workflow tool where users input data and interact with the system.
• Website + Web App: Some platforms combine both, like an e-commerce store with product pages (website) and a shopping cart or account management (web app).

The limitations of WordPress

While WordPress is popular, it comes with structural challenges that make it less ideal for modern, dynamic use cases. Here are the main drawbacks:

Security risks
Frequent vulnerabilities due to outdated plugins and lack of built-in features like two-factor authentication.

High maintenance
Constant updates, plugin conflicts, and custom patches eat into time and resources.

Plugin dependency
Most features rely on plugins instead of seamless integrations, creating fragility and complexity.

Hidden costs
Premium themes, security add-ons, hosting, and troubleshooting quickly make WordPress expensive.

Slow performance
Heavy themes and plugin load lead to poor page speeds and lower SEO performance.

Design limitations
Template-based design restricts flexibility. Advanced customization requires PHP and legacy code.

Rigidity and lock-in
Harder to adapt content for omnichannel delivery or new platforms without extra tools.

Developer friction
The outdated system creates a steep learning curve and slows modern development practices.

Weak collaboration
Single-user editing and limited real-time collaboration make teamwork inefficient.

Creation process

Here’s how the two platforms differ in how you create:

Page Builder

• WordPress: Page-first, theme-based. 
• Elwis: Pages connect to data and workflows, acting as live modules of your app.

Type System and Data Relationships

• WordPress: Limited to posts and custom types. Plugins needed for more.
• Elwis: Built-in type system with entities and relationships, making apps data-driven from the start.

Frontend and Backend Workflows

• WordPress: Limited to form submissions or plugins.
• Elwis: Define FE workflows for user actions and BE workflows for automation like approvals and notifications.

Access Rights

• WordPress: Broad, role-based.
• Elwis: Granular, flexible permissions based on roles, ownership, or conditions.

Imports and Exports

• WordPress: Focused on content.
• Elwis: Full data support, including CSV, Excel, AVR, QR, PDF, and Word. AVR (Artifact Visual Representation) lets you generate documents like Word or PDF with placeholders automatically filled from your database.

API Integrations

• WordPress: Plugin-driven, sometimes fragile.
• Elwis: Native integrations across frontend, backend, and database (fully FE-BE-DB).

Deployment Options

• WordPress: Hosted or self-hosted.
• Elwis: SaaS for speed or Docker onsite for control.

Why Choose Elwis

Elwis is more than a website tool. It is a platform for building custom web applications with flexibility from day one.

• Build interactive apps, not just pages: Use the page builder with data and workflows.
• Model your business logic: With a powerful type system and relationships, your app mirrors real-world entities.
• Stay secure and flexible: Define precise access rights and permissions.
• Automate everything: From user steps to backend approvals, Elwis workflows let you design processes without patchwork plugins.
• Integrate seamlessly: Connect APIs and work across frontend, backend, and database.
• Deploy your way: SaaS for ease, Docker for on-site control.
• Deliver enterprise-ready outputs: Generate and manage structured data and documents in QR, PDF, and Word formats.

Elwis is not just a CMS. It is your foundation for dynamic, connected applications.

Now that you know what Elwis can do, explore this article to see why it’s the smarter choice compared to juggling multiple no-code tools.

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