So you’ve decided to build a website — hooray! 🎉
Now you just need to answer the one question that turns grown adults into stressed-out night googlers:
“Which platform should I use?”
Cue the panic. You type in “best platform for website 2025” and immediately get buried under comparisons, affiliate articles, Reddit debates, and tech jargon.
Squarespace vs. Wix?
WordPress vs. Webflow?
Do I need hosting? A CMS? Do I have to learn code now??
Deep breaths. You’re in the right place.
Let’s break this down in simple, human language — with pros, cons, and no gatekeeping.
What Even Is a Website Platform?
A website platform is the tool you’ll use to design, build, and manage your site. Think of it as the kitchen where you cook your digital masterpiece.
Some platforms are all-in-one microwaves (easy and fast). Others are full chef’s kitchens (flexible but a little complicated). Choosing the right one depends on what you’re cooking — and how much help you want along the way.
Meet the Top Contenders
Here’s a no-fluff intro to the most popular platforms in 2025:
🟣 1. Squarespace – The Designer’s Best Friend
Best for: Visual brands, portfolios, service businesses, people who want it to just work.
You’ll love it if: You want to drag and drop your way to a beautiful website without touching code.
Pros:
- Gorgeous templates
- All-in-one: hosting, design, domain
- Super easy to use
- Good for basic SEO and blogging
- Great customer support
Cons:
- Less flexible for custom features
- Not ideal for large e-commerce
- Slight learning curve if you want to get fancy with layout
🧠 Verdict: Squarespace is the IKEA of websites — stylish, affordable, and comes mostly pre-assembled.
🔵 2. WordPress (Self-Hosted) – The King of Flexibility
Best for: Bloggers, SEO lovers, complex websites, and custom functionality.
You’ll love it if: You want full control and don’t mind rolling up your sleeves (or hiring someone who will).
Pros:
- Infinitely customizable
- Massive plugin ecosystem
- Great for SEO
- Works for anything from blogs to marketplaces
Cons:
- Hosting, themes, and plugins can add up
- Needs regular maintenance and updates
- Not beginner-friendly out of the box
- You’ll likely need a developer for complex stuff
🧠 Verdict: WordPress is like owning a house — you can renovate anything, but you’re also responsible for fixing the leaky roof.
🟢 3. Webflow – The Designer’s Playground
Best for: Designers, startups, businesses who want a wow-factor.
You’ll love it if: You want custom design without touching code (too much), and SEO matters to you.
Pros:
- Pixel-perfect design control
- Clean code, fast performance
- Powerful CMS for dynamic content
- Great animation and interaction tools
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- Can feel overwhelming for non-designers
- More expensive than Squarespace or Wix
🧠 Verdict: Webflow is the Apple of web platforms — sleek, powerful, and a bit intimidating at first. But once you get it, you’ll never go back.
🟡 4. Wix – The Crowd-Pleaser
Best for: Beginners, small businesses, one-page sites, local services.
You’ll love it if: You just want a site up today with zero fuss.
Pros:
- Easiest drag-and-drop builder
- Quick setup
- Built-in features like bookings and email marketing
- Tons of templates
Cons:
- Less flexible than Webflow or WordPress
- Can look “template-y” if not customized
- SEO tools are improving but still not top-tier
🧠 Verdict: Wix is the fast food of website platforms — super convenient, gets the job done, but maybe not what you want long-term.
🛒 5. Shopify – The E-commerce Boss
Best for: Online stores, product-based businesses.
You’ll love it if: You’re selling anything online — from candles to coaching packages.
Pros:
- Built for e-commerce
- Secure, reliable, scales easily
- App store for extending features
- Great checkout and inventory tools
Cons:
- Monthly costs add up
- Customizing themes can be tricky
- Not ideal for content-heavy sites
🧠 Verdict: Shopify is the Tesla of e-commerce — built for one purpose, and it drives that purpose really well.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
| You Are… | Choose… |
|---|---|
| A service provider, a coach, a creative | Squarespace or Webflow |
| A blogger, writer, SEO-focused biz | WordPress |
| A product-based business | Shopify |
| A first-timer who just wants to launch | Wix or Squarespace |
| A design perfectionist | Webflow |
| Someone with tech support (or budget for it) | WordPress or Webflow |
Still not sure? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Do you need custom features (like memberships or booking)?
→ Skip Wix. Try WordPress, Webflow, or Shopify.
2. Do you want to blog regularly and rank on Google?
→ WordPress is your friend.
3. Do you want to DIY everything?
→ Squarespace or Wix will treat you kindly.
4. Do you want your site to feel next-level?
→ Webflow all the way.
5. Are you building an online shop?
→ Shopify, period.
The Hidden Costs (Let’s Be Honest)
Even “free” platforms can have costs. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Domain name: ~€10–20/year
- Email hosting: €5–10/month/user
- Premium themes or templates: €0–200 one-time
- Plugins/apps: €0–50/month depending on needs
- Designer/developer support: Varies (but worth it!)
💡 Pro tip: Invest where it counts — design, clarity, and performance. Don’t just go with the cheapest option if it means sacrificing credibility.
To Sum Up: How to Choose Your Website Platform
✨ Start with your goals — not what’s trending
📦 Platforms are tools — pick the one that fits your business size, budget, and time
🧱 You can always evolve later — it’s okay to start small and grow
👯 Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you want your site to feel like you
And if you’re still stuck, guess what? You don’t have to choose alone. We help small businesses figure out what platform fits best, and then design and build websites that grow with them. (No tears, no tech headaches.)
