Greetings! I am seeking guidance from the professional community.
My query pertains to the creation of a website having multiple regional domains, unique calculators, forms, and other features. The website will contain about 500 pages and sections, but not an online store. My previous experience involves developing sites using Wordpress, and therefore, I lack knowledge regarding the cost framework (I expect around $3K), potential pitfalls, developer selection, and whether developing a self-written website is necessary or working on some cms will suffice.

Would you please guide me on choosing the adequate approach to build a website satisfying the following requirements: fast download speed, clean code enabling SEO promotion, scalability to subdomains, and a user-friendly admin panel? Thank you for your future assistance in this matter.

It is impossible to establish a single cost framework as it varies depending on the service provider's skills and reputation. Those who are more proficient and well-reputed tend to have higher prices due to the high demand for their services. Conversely, beginners or those with no reputation charge less. However, exceptions do exist and require experience to identify.

There are an abundance of potential pitfalls, which cannot be listed comprehensively in a single answer. In general, developing a website follows standard practices that do not introduce any unique challenges. Therefore, it is advisable to select an experienced developer with a good reputation who can guarantee a professional and organized approach. Seeking guidance from a professional is recommended if you are unsure how to evaluate the quality of a developer. Freelancer platforms also offer a means of evaluating a developer's reputation and customer reviews can help guide your decision.   

It is important to conduct thorough research and background checks when seeking a developer to avoid disappointment and negative consequences. It is also essential to communicate effectively with the developer, providing clear instructions and outlining your expectations to ensure a satisfactory outcome.

Although Bitrix is not a bad option, one needs to be skilled at using it and may face difficulties with subdomains. Additionally, the cost of the license is high and it may not be feasible for projects with a small budget, unless it's a non-commerce website where a junior edition would suffice. For more complex projects, a framework may be more suitable. As an alternative to PHP-based frameworks like Bitrix, Python-based Django is worth considering as it's reputedly faster and user-friendly.

 Having worked in web development for over 10 years, I'm skeptical of those who belittle one product while praising another without fully understanding either. Choosing the right tool for the job is crucial, and it often takes knowledge and experience to do so. It's also worth noting that what works for one project may not necessarily work for another, even if they seem similar at first glance.

Clients only need to self-record a project when the task is too complex for existing engines to fulfill. However, self-help entails significant risks with regard to security, cost, and development. It also entails the risk of project failure in case of poor communication or conflicts with the developer.

In practice, the security of self-recorded projects relies on the elusive "Joe effect," which is a significant factor but loses its effectiveness as the popularity of the project increases. As such, it may not be sufficient to guarantee secure development and, therefore, secure alternatives are preferable.

Developing software is a complex process that demands experience, knowledge, and resources. Thus, it is essential to select experienced professionals with a proven track record in delivering quality services for the best outcomes. Additionally, it is advisable to prioritize security at all levels of development to protect against potential losses.

Individual programmers or studios offer customized content management systems as an alternative to prevalent CMS options. These systems are typically developed for specific tasks, as opposed to mass CMS that serve more universal purposes. Customized CMS are frequently used for projects requiring heightened security or flexibility, such as online media engines.

Advantages of self-written CMS include fewer plugins and extensions, a customized site with appropriate functions, lower risk of hacking due to exclusive access to the source code, higher performance from unneeded code, and easier management through selective element inclusion.

However, developing self-written CMS can be costly and requires experienced programmers. Technical support and updates must be carried out through the developer, and documentation may be incomplete or nonexistent. There is also no API, necessitating unique integration solutions that increase time and financial costs.

Framework development is an alternative approach where developers build on preexisting code blocks to add functionality, making it more effective and justifiable in certain instances.

Based on your description, it sounds like you have a fairly complex project in mind. Developing a website with 500 pages and specific features like unique calculators and forms will require a robust platform. While WordPress can handle many types of websites, you may want to consider other options for better scalability and customization.

For a website of this scale and complexity, a custom-built solution or a more flexible content management system (CMS) might be better suited. Custom development provides the most control and flexibility but can also be more time-consuming and expensive. On the other hand, using a CMS like Drupal or Joomla can offer a balance between customization and ease of use since they have built-in features and extensions to handle complex websites.

When it comes to cost, it's challenging to estimate accurately without knowing all the specifics and the rates of developers you plan to work with. $3K might be a bit low for a project of this size and complexity, considering the number of pages and unique features you mentioned. It would be wise to allocate a reasonable budget if you want high-quality development and ensure that you find experienced professionals who can handle such a project.

In terms of fast download speed, clean code, and SEO promotion, these factors largely depend on the skills of your developers. Make sure to select experienced professionals with a proven track record in website performance optimization and SEO best practices. They should be knowledgeable about techniques like caching, minification, image optimization, and ensuring code quality.

Regarding scalability to subdomains and having a user-friendly admin panel, both custom development and certain CMS options can provide these functionalities. It's essential to discuss these requirements with your chosen developers or explore how various CMS platforms handle these features to ensure they align with your needs.

Overall, choose an approach that balances your desired level of customization, scalability, ease of use, and budget. Working with experienced professionals who understand your requirements is crucial for successfully executing a project of this scale.