WordPress vs. Squarespace vs. Wix

by Homegrown Marketing

There are a lot of platforms to choose from when building a website for your business. Should you use WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix? It can start to become overwhelming when exploring all of your options. Let's compare the current leading low code technologies for website building and help you choose one which best fits your needs. When choosing a website builder for your business, it’s important to be aware of the prices, features, benefits, advantages offered, and the good and the bad in each platform.

There are a few questions to ask yourself before choosing a platform. What is your business’s focus? How do you want your users to navigate through your website and what options should they have when navigating? Is your business focused on publishing content or is your business focused on selling a product or service? Each website builder mentioned below has its pros and cons, with a focus on different types of businesses and offerings. Some are better for posting written material while others are best for online shops and businesses.

WordPress  “Best for Blogs”

Price- $25/month for Small Businesses; $45/month for eCommerce Stores

When choosing WordPress to build your website, you have the power to build a website from scratch and have it up and running for free in just a few clicks. This is one of the many benefits of using this platform. Are you looking to start a blog and focus on written material? If yes, this will best fit your website-building needs.

How does the Admin side of WordPress work?

When navigating the admin panel of a WordPress website, you will find most of what you need to modify the website or accomplish basic tasks on the left sidebar. Through the sidebar, access your analytics, make upgrades, check your inbox, post a new article, read comments, and check feedback. If you wish to increase your website’s security, you may be interested in using the Jetpack plugin. WooCommerce is another plugin you may choose to add if you are interested in incorporating eCommerce into your website. If you are just looking to create a new blog post, simply click on the “Write” button located on the top right of the screen.

Pros:

  • Allows you to create a website without using code
  • Easily to add code to customize the website
  • Thousands of free website templates
  • Great choice for websites focused on blogging
  • Works well with SEO
  • Offers a FREE plan

Cons:

  • Analytics are not integrated
  • Vulnerability to hacking
  • Must be updated frequently

 

Squarespace “Jack of all trades”

Price: $18/month for Small Businesses; $26-40/month for eCommerce Stores

Squarespace can do almost anything when it comes to building your website. Competitor sites will require plugins, while Squarespace has everything you need included on the platform.

How does the Admin side of Squarespace work?

The admin side of Squarespace is simple. This platform has more categorized options, making it less overwhelming and easier to navigate. In the admin, navigate through your pages, edit your design, set up and edit your store with the ability to connect to third-party product creation platforms, and so much more. Are you looking to focus on your marketing? Access email marketing campaigns and SEO in one click. Scheduling is a feature offered if you want to plan meetings on behalf of your website. Your analytics are easily accessible through the main menu as well.

Pros:

  • Manage your audience as well as your website performance with Squarespace Analytics
  • No need to find another host with fully-managed cloud hosting
  • Offers sleek templates to give your website a professional look
  • Easier to build a website using code when compared to competitors

Cons:

  • Less free templates when compared to competitors (140 free templates)
  • Limited Navigation with only 2 layers offered on menus
  • Does not offer a free plan

 

Wix  “Best choice for an artistic website”

Price: $18/month for Small Businesses; $23-49/month for eCommerce Stores

Wix welcomes all levels of website designers. When using Wix as your platform, the focus is mainly on the website's appearance. You can choose from templates for an Online Store, Portfolio, Blog, Consultant, Technology Company, Restaurant, or Event. You will then choose a name for your website and pick your website’s goals from a list. Based on your focus, you can add various features to your website. You have the option to choose from chat, online store, video, or form. You can even select an option for Wix to build the website for you if you are not comfortable building it on your own.

How does the Admin side of Wix work?

When navigating through Wix’s admin, the menu is very straightforward and user-friendly. Editing tools are located on the left side of the screen. Pages are located at the top left, and the publish tool is on the top right. You can easily switch between editing for mobile and desktop by selecting the phone or desktop icon located on the top of the screen. Can’t find the editing tool you are looking for? Use the Search feature located just under the Publish button. Notable tools located in the admin include accessing your stores products, orders, contacts, communication, marketing, analytics, and more. Wix is set up much differently from the other platforms, but still keeps everything organized and simple.

 

 

Pros:

  • Plenty of free templates to choose from (800-900 free templates)
  • Offers many beautiful artistic and appealing templates
  • Allows you to create a website without learning how to code
  • Good customer support
  • Offers a FREE plan

Cons:

  • It doesn’t work well with SEO because it does not let you access the code to your website
  • You do not have full control of your website

 

 

 

 

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