Top 5 Website Builders’ Pros and Cons

What type of website should I get?

When building a website for your business, it’s important to take in consideration what type of business you have. It could be a service based business, it could be a brick and mortar store that also sells online or it could be a 100% online store or an informational website like a blog. I am going to tell you about the different types of websites you can go with depending on these examples I gave you.

First, we need to see the type of business, let’s say it is a dentist office. Since this website will be informational then it is recommended to have a static website where the owner can show hours of operation, services, fillable forms, phone number, address, etc. With this type of website you don’t need to get all the fancy plugins or subscriptions because it is only for informational purposes of what the dentist office offers.  Below I have a list of 5 websites I have researched and currently use in my business. I will give you some pros and cons for you to consider what is best for your business.

WordPress.org:

Pros:

• WordPress is highly customizable, it offers a vast library of themes and plugins.
• It offers complete control over your website’s design and functionality.
• It’s also suitable for all types of websites, from blogs to e-commerce stores.

Cons:

• WordPress requires a separate web hosting service.
• It is known for having a steep learning curve compared to other platforms.
• Regular updates and maintenance are necessary for security and performance.

Wix:

Pros:

• Wix is ideal for beginners, the drag-and-drop interface is user friendly.
• It offers a variety of templates and design customization options.
• It includes an all-in-one platform with hosting.

Cons:

• Wix has limited flexibility compared to self-hosted platforms like WordPress.
• It offers less control over SEO compared to some other platforms.
• Advanced features and functionalities come at a premium.

Squarespace:

Pros:

• Squarespace has  sleek and modern templates with responsive design.
• It has a very user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality, everyone’s favorite.
• Another good feature is that it has integrated hosting and built-in analytics.

Cons:

• Squearespace has less flexibility compared to WordPress in terms of customization.
• Limited third-party integrations and plugins.
• Pricing can be higher compared to other platforms for advanced features.

Shopify:

Pros:

• Shopify is specifically designed for e-commerce websites, it has robust features for selling products online. If you are planning to sell online this is the site for you.
• It has an easy-to-use interface for managing products, orders, and payments.
• They provide secure hosting and reliable customer support.

Cons:

• Shopify has transaction fees for using external payment gateways (except Shopify Payments). The transaction fees range from 0.3% – 2.9% + $0.30.
• It also has limited customization options compared to platforms like WordPress.
• The monthly subscription costs can add up, especially for larger businesses.

Weebly:

Pros:

• Weebly had an intuitive drag-and-drop website builder that is suitable for beginners.
• It offers a variety of pre-designed templates for different industries.
• It also has an integrated hosting and domain registration.

Cons:

• Weebly has limited customization options compared to some other platforms.
• It also has less flexibility for scaling and growing your website over time.
• Have in mind that some advanced features may require upgrading to higher-priced plans.

All of these platforms have strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to consider what is best for you and your business. Shop around and educate yourself. You can also hire a web designer to help you out. If you need help setting up your website don’t hesitate to contact me.