Which website platform is right for you?
As a business owner, having a website is essential for building your online presence and reaching more customers. I often get asked by clients which platform is the best. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution with the numerous platforms out there, which can feel overwhelming when choosing the right one for you.
Before I dive into my go-to’s, we have to start with the most important steps:
Goals. What does your business need now, and what will you need in the future? Things like starting a blog, a shop, a podcast, online ordering, scheduling consultations, etc.
Make a list. Write out all the features you will need, how much control you want over the design, how much money and time you want to put towards your website, keeping the site updated, etc.
01. Squarespace
This is my go-to for service-based businesses that don’t need a ton of complexity in terms of content. It’s easy for me to develop myself and go beyond the template with code, and it’s easily editable by clients, so they won’t need to hire me repeatedly to make small changes (therefore, saving money!). There are also a ton of premade codes and templates you can buy (my go-to is Squarestylist) if you’re designing it yourself, to really help your website stand out.
The updated Squarespace 7.1, launched in 2020, was a game changer in terms of design capabilities and a user interface that’s a lot more intuitive. It allows users to customize the layout and design of pages more easily; the mobile editing feature is AMAZING compared to the clunky 7.0 version and removes the need for using a ton of code/CSS. 7.1 also has improved e-commerce features, such as the ability to offer subscriptions and sell digital products.
Overall, Squarespace is my fave for small businesses and the platform I use the most.
PROS
GREAT customer service. They have always been so helpful and respond super quickly.
Built-in SSLR that provides extra security
Flexible design features
Easily editable
CONS
It can be a bit more expensive than some other website platforms. However, with their built-in SEO features and security, I think it is worth it.
02. Shopify
This is the GOAT for commerce-based shops. The analytics, inventory options, and shipping options are unmatched. You can either use a premade theme or template or start from scratch if you’re working with a developer. Unless you have a super complicated site with a ton of information, I don’t think you need to work with a developer, and a premade template works great. We can still make it beautiful without it being super complex!
PROS
Can handle a large amount of inventory.
Has a pretty easy user interface (there’s still a bit of a learning curve), making it easy for anyone to set up and manage an online store.
They offer various customizable templates and themes
There are many built-in features, including payment processing, inventory management, and shipping options.
Shopify stores are designed to be mobile-responsive, ensuring that your customers can easily shop from their phones or tablets.
CONS
If you don’t have much coding knowledge, breaking from the template can be hard. Getting a custom site can be costly as well, with many developers charging 10K minimum.
Along with developer fees, Shopify can be expensive, with monthly subscription fees and additional costs for apps and plugins.
If you use a payment gateway other than Shopify Payments, you'll be charged transaction fees for every sale.
Shopify's built-in features may not be enough for every business, and some businesses may need to rely on third-party apps or plugins to add additional functionality.
03. WordPress
WordPress.org (not to be confused with the .com version) is one of the most popular website platforms and is the go-to for blog-based websites, powering over 40% of all websites. It’s free to use and highly customizable, with thousands of plugins and themes available to help you create a website that fits your brand. However, it can be a bit overwhelming for beginners and requires technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
I personally do not work with WordPress unless I work with a developer! I think it’s a great option if you have a ton of content and pages, plus have the budget to hire a developer and keep one on your team.
PROS
It’s free!! (You’ll still need to pay for the hosting, domain, security, and a designer, so the costs probably average out)
Offers thousands of plugins
Great for sites with a large amount of content
CONS
As I said, thousands of plugins are available but they are not regulated, so you can be using one that is incompatible with another you have installed and not know why your site isn’t working.
Hacking and security are issues with a site hosted by certain companies, so it takes some research to find one that’ll work for you.
Honorable Mentions
Showit. While I’ve heard some good things about Showit, I have yet to dip my toes into this platform just yet. You have a lot of creative freedom with the drag-and-drop feature and full control over the mobile design.
Webflow. This is a newer platform that I’ve heard great things about and would like to try out one day! You can create beautiful and custom websites with animations without any coding knowledge.
Would Avoid
Wix. I have often heard that Wix is a headache, so I have avoided this platform. You’re unable to transfer content away from the platform, it takes a lot longer to transfer domains (1-2 weeks compared to 1-2 days) — overall, there seems to be a lack of control you have over your website
Weebly. I don’t know much about this platform, but I have heard that there are a lot of limitations in terms of design and support. With all the other platforms that I have covered,
Hopefully you now feel much more prepared when choosing the right website platform! If you have any questions or concerns, your designer is the expert and will guide you in making the right decision based on what your business needs.
If you’re ready to start building a beautiful and functional website, we’re here for you!
