WordPress vs. Wix vs. Squarespace. Which platform is right for you?

This article will compare WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace, allowing you to decide which platform is right for you. 

WordPress

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WordPress, released in May of 2003, was initially created as a blog-publishing system but has evolved to support other web content types through the years. WordPress is a free content management system, but it is a self-hosted software, which means you will have to find web hosting yourself (I recommend BlueHost for as low as $3 per month). Customizing your WordPress site can be scary, but it is relatively simple with themes and plugins and can be done without any coding experience. However, it will require a much steeper learning curve than the other options listed below. WordPress has thousands and thousands of different themes, many of which are free. If you are tech-savvy or have coding experience, WordPress also allows for total freedom! WordPress requires a plugin, such as WooCommerce, which will begin to increase your cost and learning effort when it comes to eCommerce. 

Pros: Free, total freedom
Cons: Not as straightforward, not as great eCommerce ability

Wix

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Wix, founded in 2006, is a software company that provides cloud-based web development services where users can create websites and mobile sites. Its drag and drop design helps you personalize your site with ease and without ever touching a line of code. Wix offers more than 500 themes that allow you to have a site up and running in no time without having to think creatively. Wix does have a free plan; however, if you want more from your site – like your own domain – you will have to upgrade to one of their plans ranging from $14 to $49 per month. Wix has three eCommerce price plans and over 20 different payment gateways. 

Pros: Drag and drop, simple and straightforward, eCommerce plans
Cons: Cost of the plan, minimal in the additions you can add to your site

Squarespace

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Squarespace, founded in 2004, is a website building and hosting company that allows users to use pre-built website templates to create webpages. Much like Wix, Squarespace offers a drag and drop design to allow anyone to create a sleek and professional website. However, designing a Squarespace website can take a bit more time than Wix and includes a slight learning curve. Squarespace has a better selection of templates than Wix but has tighter limits regarding what you can change. Squarespace prices range from $12 to $40 per month. Squarespace also offers eCommerce price plans and quality eCommerce features like coupon generation and zero transaction fees. 

Pros: Drag and drop, sleep and professional templates, quality eCommerce features
Cons: slight learning curve, cost of the plan, and tight limits on what you can change on your site

In conclusion, if you want total control with endless opportunities and are not creating an eCommerce site, WordPress is for you. If you want a sleek, professional website with quality eCommerce features and don’t mind paying a little more for the streamlined design, then Squarespace is for you. If you want the smallest learning curve, with the ability to use eCommerce, then Wix is for you. No matter which platform you decide to use, creating and maintaining a website will increase your business and business credibility! What are you waiting for?