: Wordpress or not? What is / are the practical differences between creating a Wordpress based website and a normal html5 based site - from a siteowners perspective? I know a wee bit of html

@Si4351233

Well the advantages of WordPress are, as for any other CMS(anything referring to WordPress below is true for most other CMS as well), that you can change your site within minutes, so basically if you do not want to do so, a static HTML site is fine for you. Probably even better than that, as you do not need a database, no PHP, which boosts your overall website performance, and every technology needs updates and has potential security issues.

To your second part of the question: Nearly all themes that are 3-4 years old for WordPress still work on current versions of WordPress. They only have two flaws. First they do not offer every new feature added during the time. And second, they simply look outdated, best example compare TwentyTen with TwentyForteen. So basically the answer for that will be: You can keep a website with WordPress for that time without touching it, even if you install all core updates during that time. The performance will not change, but it will look outdated.

But you definitely should not do so! You want to sell your freelancing services, would you hire someone with a 3-5 year old website? Or if he offers you a 5 year old flyer which has outdated content or design? I worked in agencies and most websites where the customer relies on it, are maintained over the time, and in most cases get a facelift or even a complete relaunch at least every 2 years. Website designs are a bit like fashion, they change, a website that looks cool today will in most cases look old in 5 years.

Conclusion

If you really do not want to change it, I'd propose you use static HTML. But reconsider if you really do not want to change it. As a freelancer you have projects you might want to add to your showcase. Your address might change, you might get a new cellphone number. You might want to change your portfolio, post a new image or whatever. And changing these things on a WordPress site is not more complicated than posting your question here.

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