The Pros and Cons of Popular Website Platforms
Choosing the right website platform can feel overwhelming. Between the glossy marketing pages, long lists of features, and endless online comparisons, it’s hard to know which option will work best for your business.
The truth is, no platform is perfect. Each one has strengths, weaknesses, and quirks that may (or may not) fit your needs. In this post, we’ll break down the pros and cons of some of the most popular website platforms—without playing favourites—so you can make a confident, informed choice.
1. WordPress (Self-Hosted)
Pros:
Highly customizable – With thousands of themes and plugins, you can build virtually any type of site.
Ownership & control – You fully own your content and can host it anywhere.
Scalable – Works for small blogs up to large e-commerce stores.
Cons:
Steeper learning curve – Beginners may find the dashboard and setup intimidating.
Maintenance required – Regular updates for themes, plugins, and WordPress itself are essential to avoid security issues.
Security risks – Vulnerable if not updated or if plugins are poorly coded.
2. Wix
Pros:
User-friendly drag-and-drop editor – Easy for beginners to get started.
All-in-one solution – Hosting, templates, and features are built in.
Good for small businesses – Great selection of templates for service providers and creatives.
Cons:
Less flexibility – Once you choose a template, switching later is tricky.
SEO limitations – While improving, Wix still has a reputation for being less SEO-friendly compared to WordPress.
Template lock-in – Some design decisions can’t be easily changed.
3. Shopify
Pros:
Built for e-commerce – Everything you need to run an online store is ready out of the box.
Secure and reliable – Handles payments, security, and hosting for you.
App ecosystem – Large selection of add-ons to extend store functionality.
Cons:
Monthly fees – Costs can add up, especially with paid apps.
Limited content flexibility – Not as ideal for content-heavy or non-store websites.
Learning curve for customization – Some coding (Liquid) may be required for deeper changes.
4. Squarespace
Pros:
Beautiful, modern templates – Minimalist, design-focused options right out of the box.
All-in-one platform – Hosting, domain management, templates, and security included.
User-friendly editing tools – Clean interface that balances ease of use with customization options.
Built-in SEO & marketing tools – No need for dozens of plugins.
Cons:
Less extensible – Fewer third-party integrations compared to WordPress.
Learning curve for advanced tweaks – Custom CSS and advanced functions require some know-how.
E-commerce limitations – While good for small shops, large-scale e-commerce needs may require Shopify or WooCommerce.
5. Weebly
Pros:
Beginner-friendly – Simple drag-and-drop design.
Budget-friendly – Affordable plans for small websites.
Good for very small sites – Quick to get up and running.
Cons:
Limited design flexibility – Fewer templates and customization options.
Not as robust for SEO – Lacks the in-depth SEO capabilities of other platforms.
Less frequent updates – May not keep up with newer design or SEO trends.
My Personal Favourite
While each platform has its place and choosing the “best” one depends on your needs, my personal favourite is Squarespace. I love its balance of beauty, functionality, and ease of use. It’s a great choice for small business owners, creatives, and service-based entrepreneurs who want a polished, professional website without wrestling with endless tech headaches.
Squarespace streamlines the entire process—from design to hosting—so you can spend more time running your business and less time troubleshooting your site.
Whether you’re rebranding or just refining your website, we’re here to help make your typography shine. Reach out to us and let’s bring your brand’s personality to life.
