How can we get more in depth character customization?

[Ameela]

Not to be controversial, but can anyone familiar with WoW explain how they manage class customization yet the same would not work in FFXIV? Or do WoW players push meta and all run the same specs anyway? Are the dungeons/encounters very different than FFXIV so that is why it works? I hear these two games compared constantly and wondered if I might have some perspective as to why FFXIV is so limited when apparently every other MMO has more class diversity.

Because WoW isn't worried about making the game fair for everyone, not every spec can clear every raid but every spec tends to have a use even if it's outside of PvE.
And perhaps more importantly none of the specs in WoW have 3-minute 20-button rotations so they're easier to balance and design with customisation in mind.

Look at FFVII there was crappier gear that had better materia slots in the configuration you were looking for.

You mean exactly what XIV does with crafted gear being able to be pentamelded?