Is WordPress Too Complicated?
Is Squarespace too limiting?
Is Wix good enough?
How do you choose the right website platform for your business?
When it comes to building a website, there are lots of options out there. However most small business owners end up with a website on one of three platforms: WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix. (I’m skipping Shopify because, while great, it’s strictly for e-commerce.)
I’ve worked with all of these platforms, and they all have their merits. But I choose to work almost exclusively with WordPress. Why? Because I know it inside and out. I’ve spent years mastering it, and I know what it’s capable of.
The platform matters less than you think
A mentor of mine once compared Squarespace to Apple (designery and sleek) and WordPress to a PC (only for techies). I call BS. Clearly, she had never really worked with WordPress.
Beautiful, functional websites can be built on any platform—IF you know what you’re doing. The platform itself isn’t the magic ingredient; it’s the skill of the person using it. Like chefs who have their favorite pans and carry their knife sets wherever they go—masters of their craft, working with the tools they know best.
Honestly, when it comes to web design, this is what matters most of all:
- User friendly design
- Presenting a cohesive brand
- Strategic messaging
- SEO and performance optimization
The ability to design well, to craft messaging that engages, and to pair your messaging with imagery that supports your brand – that’s what makes a great site, not the platform. It’s about making people fall in love with your business before they’ve even met you. It’s about making your value so crystal clear on your website that they’re excited to reach out and get started.
Once you have that foundation in place, you can build on it. That’s when you can start layering in the more technical elements—like a registration form with a payment processor, or a case study template for your portfolio, or a private membership area on your site.
So, what platform should you choose? Well, that depends. Let’s break it down.
FAQ - WordPress vs. Squarespace vs. Wix
Which platform is the easiest for beginners to use?
If you’re set on doing it yourself, Wix is probably the easiest and provides the most constraints to keep you from messing up the design. Squarespace also offers structured templates but allows for a bit more creative flexibility. Both platforms include hosting and a domain name, giving you an all-in-one experience that can be appealing if you want a simple site with minimal setup.
That said, no matter which one you choose, there’s still a learning curve. You’ll likely need to watch tutorials and experiment before you get comfortable with the platform.
But here’s the reality—beyond just learning the tools, there’s the bigger challenge—crafting messaging that resonates, choosing the right images, optimizing for SEO, and making sure your site actually drives results. That’s where working with a professional makes all the difference.
WordPress requires more setup but offers the most flexibility. When built by someone who knows what they’re doing, it gives you a site that not only looks great today but also scales with your business over time.
How do costs compare between WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix?
Each website builder offers a basic, budget-friendly option, but premium plans and add-ons can quickly increase the cost. Wix and Squarespace have tiered subscription plans that include hosting, with higher-priced options for more features. WordPress.org itself is free, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, and depending on your needs, you may also want premium themes, plugins, or developer support.
That said, it’s impossible to say exactly how the costs compare because there are so many moving parts. Your total cost will depend on what features you need, how much customization you want, and whether you hire a professional to help.
If you’re just testing out a business idea with no budget, starting with the cheapest option makes sense. But if your business is real—meaning you plan to grow, attract customers, and make money—you need to invest in a site that will actually work for you. That includes professional design, strategic messaging, and the right tools to support your business long-term.
For a deeper look at small business website costs and what’s worth investing in, check out my guide: Small Business Website Cost Guide
Can I switch templates or themes easily on these platforms?
Squarespace allows you to change templates even after your site is live, offering some flexibility in design updates. Wix, on the other hand, locks you into your chosen template—so if you want to switch later, you’ll need to rebuild from scratch.
WordPress offers the most flexibility, but it works differently. Instead of being locked into a pre-designed template, a well-built WordPress site is structured using global styles, reusable templates, and custom layouts—allowing for easy updates without starting over. With the right setup, you can refresh your design, adjust branding, or even completely rework your site without losing your content or functionality.
Another key difference? Ownership. With Wix and Squarespace, you’re essentially renting your website—your content lives on their platform, and you’re subject to their limitations and pricing structures. With WordPress, you own your site outright. Your domain, hosting, and files are yours, meaning you’re not tied to one provider and can move your site wherever you want.
Which platform offers better SEO capabilities?
WordPress is known for its powerful SEO capabilities, especially with plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, which let you fine-tune everything from meta descriptions to advanced technical settings.
Squarespace and Wix have built-in SEO tools that cover the basics, like page titles, meta descriptions, and automatic sitemaps. But they don’t offer the same level of customization.
For instance, if you want to optimize a blog post for a specific keyword, WordPress plugins analyze your content, suggest improvements, and let you customize URL structures. Wix and Squarespace handle some of this automatically but don’t give you as much control—so if SEO is a big focus, WordPress is the better choice.
How scalable are these platforms for growing businesses?
Wix and Squarespace: These platforms are great for simple sites but come with built-in limitations. Their structured templates and lack of advanced customization (without programming) can make it harder to scale as your business grows. Plus, they don’t offer staging environments, so any changes you make go live immediately—risky if you’re testing new features.
WordPress: The most flexible and scalable option. With tools like Elementor and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), you’re not locked into a fixed theme or template—you can expand, redesign, and add functionality without starting over. And because you own your site, you’re not stuck in a closed system or limited by platform restrictions.
If you need a website that can grow and adapt with your business, WordPress is the best long-term choice.
What kind of customer support can I expect from each platform?
Wix and Squarespace: These platforms offer direct customer support. Wix provides live chat, email, and phone support, while Squarespace offers live chat and email but no phone support. If you need help, you contact them directly.
WordPress: Unlike Wix and Squarespace, WordPress itself doesn’t offer customer support—it’s an open-source platform. But here’s the thing: the tools you use with WordPress do have support. I rely on Elementor for design and Flywheel for hosting, and both have excellent, friendly support through live chat.
And best of all—when you work with me, I’m always here to support you. Instead of waiting on a chatbot or troubleshooting on your own, you get real, personalized help from someone who knows your website inside and out.
Final Thoughts: Which Website Platform Is Best?
This isn’t a battle of WordPress vs. Squarespace vs. Wix – because there is no ‘best’. It’s about what’s best for your business. If you just need a simple, DIY website, Wix or Squarespace can work. If you want control, flexibility, and a website that can grow with you, WordPress is probably the best option.
Your website is one of the most important tools for your business. It’s not just about getting something up and running—it’s about making an impact, attracting the right customers, and setting yourself up for growth.
What matters most is finding the right person to build it.
If you’re serious about growing your business, the key is to work with someone who’s talented, takes the time to understand your business, and provides ongoing support. A great website evolves with your business, and a great web designer knows how to support this evolution. That’s how you get a website that helps your business become what you aspire it to be.
If that’s what you’re looking for, let’s talk.