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Every business needs a website, and when it comes to your website options, they’re about as varied as your choices for buying a new car. Today, DIY website platforms like Squarespace and Wix offer the option of building a website quickly and easily rather than rolling up your sleeves and getting down and dirty with the development aspects a more complex system.
WordPress, on the other hand, the long-time favorite for anything from personal sites to business building and one of the most popular content management systems in the world, offers something a bit more varied, a bit more complex and a bit more nuanced.
To be clear, either option can provide you with a beautiful, navigable business website. But there are some important differences to be aware of before you make the leap to one or the other.
The Basics
Just like leasing a car provides a different experience than owning one, there are some things to consider before deciding on a do-it-yourself web platform or a more complex system like WordPress.
Think of DIY platforms, like Squarespace and Wix, like getting a rental car. They’ll get you from Point A to Point B reliably, most likely with few to no hurdles along the way. They’re comfortable and convenient and if all you’re looking for is a quick ride with no commitment, they might be exactly what you need.
Building your business website on WordPress, on the other hand, is a lot more like investing in a car you can call your own. Sure, you’ll have to take full responsibility for any problems you run into and learn how to fix them yourself. But you can also customize your car, make it your own and invest in add-ons that improve your experience and your car’s value.
When it comes to deciding on the right option for your business website, it helps to consider the experience you’re trying to deliver to your customers and how you’re planning to manage your business’s online presence. Here are a few things to weigh:
Plugin Options
Website platforms like Squarespace are tightly controlled, offering a limited amount of tested plugins and specific tools. While some may enjoy the fact that elements of these DIY website builders are designed to be user-friendly, it also means your options for customizing your website are extremely limited.
With WordPress, you and/or your developer will have access to a sky-high selection of plugins, or you can design your own. These plugins may require a more cautious approach. You’ll need to test them out and gain an understanding of any flaws they might have, but you can also provide a more advanced, personalized experience for users.
SEO Capabilities
Your website’s search engine ranking has the single biggest impact on the number of visitors you attract and leads you develop. A website you build on WordPress is essentially handwritten and the possibilities are fairly expansive. Metadata can be easily integrated into each page, you can use A/B testing to settle on the best layout or design for your brand and you can optimize your site for newer platforms that are rising in popularity, like Twitter Cards. These all help to boost your site’s ranking and effectiveness when it comes to converting visitors into clients.
DIY website platforms have more limited options when it comes to SEO and integration. Squarespace makes it difficult to input metadata in the right place, while options like A/B testing aren’t even available. Overall, while appearances may look strong with Squarespace, there is a weaker focus on marketing, which hurts your business in the long run.
The Scope of Your Business Goals
Do-it-yourself website builders can be a great option for people interested in creating a quick, easy site that showcases your business and looks neatly designed. Many people benefit from these platforms and a DIY website could be the right choice for some.
However, if your business goals are committed and long-term, it’s wise to consider the benefits of choosing a content management system that lets your website to grow and expand with time. WordPress not only looks professional, but it can also be custom-tailored to meet your specific needs, and its open-source nature means you’ll never end up with an inaccessibly outdated site that’s no longer editable. Your WordPress website can continue to evolve with the times, helping to keep your online presences vibrant and relevant.
