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Choosing the right platform
Compare the main website platforms to find the best fit for your goals, budget and technical confidence.
What is a website platform?
A website platform is software used to build, manage and update a website. Platforms such as WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace and Wix provide tools that make this easier without building everything from scratch.
A website does not have to use a platform. It can also be professionally hand-coded, giving the designer or developer greater control over the design, structure, functionality and performance.
There is no single best approach. The right choice depends on what you need your website to do, your budget, how it will be maintained and how much flexibility you need.
In short
Different businesses have different needs. The right platform or build approach is the one that works for you.
Key factors to consider
Before comparing platforms or build approaches, think about what is most important for your business.
Your goals
Do you need a simple brochure site, an online shop, a booking system or something more custom?
Ease of use
How comfortable are you learning new tools? Do you want to make updates yourself?
Budget
Consider setup costs, monthly fees and any extra costs for themes, plugins, apps or professional support.
Flexibility
Will the option let you do what you need now and give you room to develop later?
Support
What help is available if you get stuck, such as guides, community forums or professional support?
Popular platforms and approaches
Here is a quick overview of some common options. Each has strengths and trade-offs, so compare them against what your website actually needs.
| Option | Best for | Key features | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | Flexible websites of many sizes | Highly customisable, large theme and plugin ecosystem, suitable for blogs, business websites and online shops with WooCommerce. | Self-hosted WordPress needs separate hosting and regular maintenance. WordPress.com bundles hosting but offers different levels of control. |
| Shopify | Online shops | Ecommerce-focused, relatively easy to manage, secure and scalable. | Monthly fees and possible app costs. It is less flexible when the website’s main purpose is not ecommerce. |
| Squarespace | Simple, polished business websites | All-in-one service with hosting, templates and straightforward editing. | Less flexible than more open systems and has fewer options for advanced third-party integrations. |
| Wix | Small businesses and straightforward websites | Visual editor, broad template selection and hosting included. | Easy to start with, but more complex or highly bespoke requirements may become restrictive. |
| Professionally hand-coded / custom build | Bespoke websites, unusual requirements or businesses wanting greater control | Built specifically for the project, with close control over design, code, functionality and performance. | Usually needs a professional web designer or developer to build and maintain. Cost and development time can be higher. |
Good to know
You can also combine tools. For example, a headless CMS can be paired with a custom front end, or you can start with a simpler platform and move to a more bespoke solution later if your needs change.
Which platform is right for you?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. A simple website may work well on Squarespace or Wix, an online shop may suit Shopify, while WordPress can offer considerably more flexibility.
A professionally hand-coded website is another option. It can be particularly useful when you want a bespoke design, cleaner control over the code, specific functionality or a website built around your exact requirements rather than the limitations of a particular platform.
The best option is the one that suits what you need now, how you expect the website to develop and who will be responsible for managing it.
Need help choosing?
If you are not sure which option is right for your project, get in touch and we can talk through your requirements.
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