If you’re looking to take your business online, or move an existing business website to a new platform, choosing which one to use is likely the very first step you’ll need to take along your journey.
In this article, I’m going to guide you through the decision making process with some pro-tips. By the end of it, you should be clear on:
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How to Define Your Priorities, Based on Your Business
Before you start comparing platforms, it’s crucial to get clear on what your business actually needs from a website. Not every platform is right for every business — and that’s okay. Choosing the best one starts with understanding your goals, your workflow, and your comfort level with technology.
Here are the key questions to ask yourself:
💡 What’s the main purpose of your website?
- Are you trying to sell products online? (You’ll need strong e-commerce tools.)
- Are you a service provider or coach who wants to showcase services, build trust, and book calls?
- Do you need a portfolio or blog to attract clients and grow your audience?
- Are you creating a community, membership, or digital course hub?
Clarity on this will immediately rule some platforms in or out.
💻 How hands-on do you want to be with tech?
Some platforms are built for people who want to “set it and forget it.” Others are better if you’re comfortable tweaking plugins, customising themes, or hiring someone to do that for you.
Ask yourself:
- Do you want a simple drag-and-drop builder that just works?
- Or are you okay with a learning curve and more control under the hood?
Tip: If you don’t have time to fiddle with settings or troubleshoot, simplicity might win out over flexibility.
📈 How fast do you expect to grow?
Think ahead 6–12 months:
- Will your site need to scale?
- Will you need to add more features like an email newsletter, booking system, CRM, shop, blog, or member area?
If you’re planning to grow, it may be worth starting with a platform that offers room to expand, even if you won’t use all the features right away.
💰 What’s your budget?
Remember: your website is an investment — not just a cost. But you do want to be realistic:
- Do you need a free or low-cost starter platform?
- Are you budgeting for a designer or developer to help set it up?
- Are you ready to invest in premium tools (plugins, themes, integrations) as you grow?
Some platforms appear cheaper at first, but you may end up paying more later in add-ons or lack of flexibility.
🛠️ What tools or systems do you already use?
Your website should work with your business — not add extra work. So think about:
- Do you need it to integrate with tools like Calendly, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Stripe, Zapier, or WhatsApp?
- Are you already using a CRM or e-commerce system you want to keep?
Choosing a platform that plays well with others can save you major tech headaches down the road.
✨ Pro Tip: Pick 3–5 must-haves
Make a shortlist of your non-negotiables — whether that’s:
- Easy booking
- Blog + SEO tools
- Affordable pricing
- Integration with your CRM
- Strong design templates
This list becomes your decision-making filter when comparing platforms in the next section.
What Platforms Are Available — and Which Is Best for You
Once you’re clear on your business goals and must-haves, it’s time to explore your options. There are dozens of website platforms out there, but most small business owners end up choosing between a few key players.
Each has its strengths and limitations — and the best one for you depends on your priorities (see Section 1). Below is a breakdown of the top platforms, with a quick summary of who they’re best for and why.
📝 Tip: You can also refer to the printable 2025 Web Platform Comparison Table to see all the key features side by side — from ease of use to migration flexibility.
🧩 WordPress.org (Self-Hosted)
Best for: Business owners who want full control, advanced customization, and room to scale.
- You’ll need to arrange your own hosting (e.g. SiteGround, Bluehost)
- Great for blogs, service-based businesses, and content-heavy sites
- Thousands of plugins and themes available
- Works with nearly every tool or integration
- Slight learning curve, but limitless potential
✅ Choose this if: You want to grow into a powerful site and don’t mind learning or hiring help.
🧩 WordPress.com (Hosted)
Best for: Bloggers or solo professionals who want an easier, hosted version of WordPress.
- Less flexible than WordPress.org, especially on free plans
- No need to handle your own hosting
- Good blogging tools, but limited plugins on lower tiers
✅ Choose this if: You want WordPress without the technical setup — and aren’t ready for full customization yet.
🧩 Wix
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want to launch a good-looking site quickly, without tech headaches.
- True drag-and-drop builder — no code needed
- Lots of templates to choose from
- App store offers some integrations
- Limited flexibility for SEO and scaling
✅ Choose this if: You want a stylish site fast, and your needs are simple (like showcasing services or booking appointments).
🧩 Squarespace
Best for: Creatives, consultants, or coaches who want a design-forward, all-in-one platform.
- Sleek templates and built-in features (blog, e-commerce, scheduling)
- Easy to use and maintain
- Fewer customization options than WordPress
- Limited integrations, but enough for most solopreneurs
✅ Choose this if: Visual branding is key for your business, and you want something elegant but easy.
🧩 Shopify
Best for: Product-based businesses selling physical or digital goods.
- All-in-one commerce solution: inventory, shipping, payments
- Integrates with POS and dropshipping tools
- Strong support and scalability
- Less flexibility for non-commerce content (e.g. blogging, landing pages)
✅ Choose this if: You’re focused on online selling and want the best e-commerce tools without extra setup.
🧩 Webflow
Best for: Designers, developers, or tech-savvy founders who want pixel-perfect design and clean code.
- Full visual control, including animations and layout
- Higher learning curve
- SEO-friendly and CMS-powered
- Integrates well with tools like Zapier, Memberstack, etc.
✅ Choose this if: You want a modern, ultra-custom site and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty.
🧩 Weebly (by Square)
Best for: Local businesses or side hustlers who want a no-fuss, low-cost option.
- Very beginner-friendly
- Simple templates and built-in e-commerce
- Limited customization and integrations
- Owned by Square, so good for in-person selling
✅ Choose this if: You just need something basic and affordable to get online quickly.
Not Sure Yet?
That’s totally okay. Here’s how to narrow it down:
- Want full control and scalability? → WordPress.org or Webflow
- Need simplicity and quick setup? → Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly
- Focused on products and e-commerce? → Shopify
- Just starting out and want minimal setup? → WordPress.com or Wix
Don’t forget to download the full 2025 Web Platform Comparison Table to review key categories like:
- Ease of Use
- Customization
- Cost
- SEO Strength
- Integrations
- Portability
What to Do Next, Once You’ve Made Your Decision
Once you’ve chosen the platform that fits your business best, it’s time to start turning that choice into a live, functional website. Here’s what comes next — and what to plan for.
🌐 Step 1: Choose Your Hosting (if needed)
If you’re going with WordPress.org, Webflow, or any platform that doesn’t include hosting by default, you’ll need to select a hosting provider. This is where your website’s files will live — and it can impact your site speed, uptime, and support.
Look for a host that offers:
- Reliable performance and security
- One-click installs for WordPress (if applicable)
- Good customer support
- Optional extras like backups, email accounts, or SSL certificates
If you’re using Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, or WordPress.com, hosting is already included — one less thing to worry about.
🔌 Step 2: Set Up Your Integrations
A business website isn’t just a digital business card anymore — it should work for you. Think about the tools and systems you want your site to connect with, such as:
- E-commerce platforms (e.g. Shopify, WooCommerce, Stripe)
- Consultation and scheduling tools (e.g. Calendly, Acuity, TidyCal)
- Email marketing (e.g. Mailchimp, ConvertKit, MailerLite)
- Sales funnels and lead capture (e.g. forms, popups, quizzes)
- CRMs and automations (e.g. HubSpot, Zapier, Notion)
Most platforms support some level of integration — but how easy (or flexible) those integrations are depends on the platform you chose. WordPress and Shopify, for example, have huge plugin/app ecosystems, while others like Squarespace may require workarounds.
This is where many business owners hit a wall — because while the platform is chosen, the ecosystem around it can get tricky. But don’t worry, help is available.
🙋🏽♀️ Step 3: Get the Support You Need
Choosing your platform is a big step — but it’s just the beginning. Whether you’re stuck on tech decisions, don’t know how to set up integrations, or just want someone to take it off your hands entirely…
You don’t have to do it alone...
I offer hands-on tech support for business owners like you — especially if you’re building with heart, purpose, and ambition.
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Together, we’ll make sure your tech works for your business — not against it.