Which Website Platform Is Right for You?

As someone who has worked with a range of businesses to create effective online presences, I’ve gotten a pretty solid understanding of what each major platform has to offer. Here’s my take on which website builder might be the best fit for your small business.

Squarespace: My Top Pick for Small Businesses

Why I Recommend It: If you’re looking for simplicity, ease of use, and affordability, Squarespace is hands-down the best option for most small businesses. It’s designed for people who aren’t web developers, so you don’t need to know a single line of code to get a sleek, professional-looking site up and running.

• Ease of Use: The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, and there’s a mobile app that lets you make edits on the go. This is a huge plus if you’re running a small business and need to quickly tweak a product listing or update a service description from your phone.
• Cost-Effective: Compared to other platforms, Squarespace is relatively affordable. You don’t have to worry about paying extra for hosting or security, and they offer a range of pricing plans that cater to different needs.
• Lots of Integrations: Squarespace has integrations with popular tools like Mailchimp, Google Analytics, and social media platforms. This makes it easy to manage your marketing, track your site’s performance, and stay connected with customers.

When to Consider Another Option: Squarespace is great for most standard websites—think local businesses, blogs, or portfolios—but if you need heavy customization or a complex e-commerce store, you might find it limiting.

Wix: A Decent Option for Basic Websites

Why It Works (Sometimes):I haven’t used Wix extensively myself, but from what I’ve seen, it’s a solid choice for businesses that need a simple, straightforward site without a lot of bells and whistles.

• Good for Basic Websites: Wix can get you up and running quickly if you just need a few pages—like a homepage, about page, and contact form.
• Updating Improvements: I know they’ve been making improvements lately, so it’s worth checking out if you want something easy and aren’t concerned about deep customization.

The Catch: Over the years, I’ve come across quite a few broken or outdated Wix sites, which makes me hesitant to recommend it as a go-to option. If your site doesn’t need much maintenance, it might be fine. But if you’re hoping to build something long-lasting, proceed with caution.

Shopify: The GOAT for E-commerce

Why It’s Still the Best for Online Stores: When it comes to e-commerce, Shopify is still the reigning champion. It’s built specifically for selling online, so you get everything you need to set up and manage an online store.

• E-commerce Tools: From product listings and inventory management to integrated shipping and payment processing, Shopify has you covered.
• Great for Growth: If you’re serious about selling online, Shopify scales with your business. There are tons of apps and add-ons to help with marketing, inventory, and even accounting.

The Downside: The biggest drawback is that if you want to customize your store beyond what the basic templates allow, you’ll need to know how to code in Liquid, Shopify’s coding language. If that’s not in your wheelhouse, you might have to hire a developer, which can add to your costs.

WordPress: Popular, But Not My Favorite

Why It’s Popular: There’s no denying that WordPress is still the most widely used platform out there. It’s incredibly flexible, with thousands of themes and plugins that can help you build almost any kind of site. But, I have to be honest—it’s never been my favorite.

• Flexibility & Plugins: If you can dream it, you can probably do it with WordPress. There are plugins for almost everything, which is why so many people love it.
• Cost Options: There are affordable options, especially if you’re willing to get your hands a bit dirty and do some of the setup yourself.

The Problems I’ve Seen: I’ve used WordPress enough to know that it can get messy fast. The more plugins you add, the more bloated your site becomes, leading to slower load times. Plus, keeping everything updated can be a headache. Not to mention, there’s some uncertainty in the WordPress community right now, which leaves me questioning how the platform will evolve. Personally, I had to use it in college and quickly decided there were better, easier options out there.

Webflow: My Go-To for Custom Projects

Why I Love It: For those who need more customization and control, Webflow is my favorite platform. It’s what I use for all my personal projects because it gives me the flexibility to build exactly what I want without limitations.

• Unmatched Customization: With Webflow, you’re not confined to templates. You can create truly unique designs that reflect your brand. It’s like having the creative freedom of coding a website from scratch but with a visual editor.
• Tech & Design Focused: Webflow is a powerful tool for those who want to combine visual design with technical capability. If you’re a bit of a tech nerd like me, you’ll probably enjoy the process of working with Webflow.

The Trade-Offs: The biggest downside is the cost. Webflow isn’t cheap, and if you’re a small business on a tight budget, that might be a deal breaker. The setup can also take more time compared to platforms like Squarespace, so it’s better for those who have a clear vision and are willing to invest the effort to bring it to life.

So, Which Platform Should You Choose?

• If You Need Simplicity & Affordability: Go with Squarespace. It’s easy to use, cost-effective, and has everything you need to get a professional site up quickly.
• If You Want a Basic Site That’s Easy to Set Up: Consider Wix, but be cautious if you need your site to be highly reliable and well-maintained.
• If You’re Building an Online Store: Shopify is still the best choice, especially if you’re serious about selling online. Just be prepared for some coding if you want to customize beyond the basics. Squarespace is my second option for ecommerce.
• If You Want Complete Customization: Webflow is your best bet, but only if you’re willing to invest time and money into the setup.

Final Thoughts

As a designer and marketer, I’ve seen a lot of small businesses struggle with website platforms that don’t fit their needs. The best thing you can do is choose a platform that aligns with your goals and skillset. If you need help figuring out which platform is right for you, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to chat and help guide you in the right direction.