Choosing the right website platform is crucial for the success of your business. Depending on the type of business you run, certain website platforms may be more beneficial than others.  We are going to walk you through five of the top website builders and explain the pros and cons of each.

 

WordPress

WordPress is one of the most popular website CMS (content management system) platforms in the world, with over 455 million websites globally using the platform. Beginning as a simple blogging site in 2003, WordPress is now the most popular website CMS platform on the market today. At BoBella, we build about 75% of our clients’ websites using this platform.

 

Here are some of the pros and cons of using WordPress :

Pros

WordPress is the most well-known CMS  platform. Its backend dashboard is user-friendly and easily accessible, even without a lot of website design experience. WordPress is open-source software, meaning you can customize your site down to its source code.

WordPress is often a favorite because it allows for a personalized website through a vast myriad of plugins. With over 50,000 available plugins, you are able to make your website as unique as your business.

Additionally, WordPress handles SEO extremely well. Plugins like Yoast and SEMRush Writing Assistant are designed to optimize your site’s SEO so you can get the most traffic possible. Furthermore, the best part is, you do not have to be a web developer or digital marketing expert to learn how to use these plugins.

 

Cons

WordPress requires regular attention and updating to maintain optimal performance. Updating your site regularly is essential for its speed and responsiveness.

While WordPress is great for customization, it is easy to get caught in the weeds if you do not have prior experience. Customizing your WordPress site takes more time and effort than some of the other products available. While coding knowledge is not necessary, it definitely helps when customizing with WordPress.

 

Shopify

If you run an eCommerce-based business, Shopify is perfect for you. With over 600,000 businesses using Shopify, it is a popular platform for beginners and experts alike. This is our go-to for e-Commerce.

Here are some pros and cons of using Shopify:

Pros

Shopify is the perfect platform for eCommerce-based businesses. It is easy for anyone to add products, fulfill orders and set up shipping policies. Shopify is specifically designed for anyone to use, with its user-friendly backend and easy transaction processing. Additionally, they have excellent customer service through both chat and via phone.

Like WordPress, Shopify offers thousands of apps to customize your website. Shopify also has a wide variety of themes, as well as SEO tools for traffic optimization. It is perfect for the business owner who is not overly tech-savvy. Shopify also works well for offering discounts and sharing deals via social media.

Cons

Shopify can be difficult for advanced customization if you are a beginner, as there are parts of the platform that are limiting without knowing HTML and liquid template language. WordPress offers more free plugins and themes compared to Shopify.

 

Wix

Wix is a good option for those who what to DIY their own website and/or quickly get a decent website up. Wix uses a drag-and-drop interface making it easy to customize even without any web design experience.

Here are some pros and cons of using Wix:

Pros

Part of Wix’s popularity comes from its accessibility. It is an affordable option, with prices starting at only $14 a month. The Wix dashboard is simple to use and offers step-by-step instructions for setting up your site, connecting with Google and establishing basic SEO. Wix offers built-in programs for building email campaigning and invoicing clients. Depending on your plan, Wix also offers POS for eCommerce-based businesses.

Cons

Due to its template-based interface, there is only so much you can do with your theme design. Wix’s loading speed and SEO functionalities can be problematic, especially for mobile users. One of the biggest cons of using Wix is the inability to change your site’s theme once you pick one. You can customize your theme all you want, but you cannot pick a new one.

 

Squarespace

Squarespace website builder highlights design and aesthetics more than a lot of other hosting platforms. It is known for its attention to detail and design features. Squarespace works well for smaller businesses of all industries.

Here are some of Squarespace’s pros and cons:

Pros

Squarespace holds design and aesthetics at the utmost importance. It offers hundreds of customizable themes that are specifically optimized for mobile users. Like Wix, Squarespace is extremely affordable, with plans starting at just $12 a month. If you are a blogger or podcast host, Squarespace is perfect for you. They offer podcast hosting and you can schedule blogs ahead of time.

Cons

Like most template based website builders, customization is limiting. Squarespace is not ideal for larger websites, as speed and loading times are an issue. Loading times can be especially slow for mobile users, which can affect your site traffic. One of the biggest cons of Squarespace is its editor. Not only does it not have autosave, but it can be difficult to navigate without prior experience.

 

Webflow

Webflow is a new player in the website builder game and may give platforms like Squarespace and Wix a run for their money. Webflow is a template-based platform that also prioritizes design and responsiveness.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Webflow:

Pros

Like Squarespace, Webflow values design. It offers hundreds of themes that are fully customizable. Webflow has become a favorite among web designers, but is also accessible to those without coding or design knowledge. Its onboarding process is user-friendly and allows you to pick the best template for your business.

Cons

Compared to other hosting platforms, Webflow is lacking in features. Instead of having built-in plugins, most of Webflow’s features are through integrations, which is frustrating. Its editor can also be intimidating for the average user, as it looks more like photoshop than a website editor. Without prior web design experience, Webflow may have a higher learning curve for most users.

 

Picking the right website hosting platform can be a very important long-term decision. Comparing the pros and cons will help you decide what platform is right for you.

Contact us today to start building a beautiful website for your business.