Choosing the Right Platform for Your Website: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Choosing the right platform is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make when building your website. The platform you select will determine not only how your site looks and functions but also how easy (or difficult) it will be to manage and grow over time. With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This article will guide you through an overview of the most popular platforms, their pros and cons, and some tips on setting up the one that we recommend. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs.

Overview of Popular Platforms

When it comes to building a website, three platforms dominate the market: Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress. Each of these platforms offers unique features and benefits, catering to different types of users and project requirements. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

A. Squarespace

Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern design templates and user-friendly interface. It’s an all-in-one platform, meaning you get everything you need—hosting, domain registration, and a website builder—in one package. Squarespace is often favored by creatives, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who want a professional-looking website without the hassle of managing multiple services. It’s also great for those looking to explore dropshipping for their brand.

B. Wix

Wix is another popular website builder that offers a high degree of flexibility. It’s a drag-and-drop platform, allowing users to customize every aspect of their site without needing to write any code. Wix appeals to users who want a balance between ease of use and creative control, making it a good choice for small businesses, personal websites, and even some e-commerce sites. This platform involves a bit more time learning how to use it and working within its given toolset to achieve the desired result.

C. WordPress

WordPress is the most widely used content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet. It’s an open-source platform, which means it’s free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting and potentially other services like premium themes or plugins. WordPress is incredibly versatile and can be used to build anything from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce site or online community. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve compared to Squarespace and Wix. If you have a desire to learn to code or have any ability to write HTML and/or CSS, this platform may be best for you since it is geared more toward developers than the other platforms.

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

To help you decide which platform is right for you, let’s break down the pros and cons of Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.

Squarespace

Pros:

• Sleek, modern design templates

• User-friendly interface

• All-in-one platform with hosting and domain registration

• Great for creatives and small businesses

Cons:

• Less customization compared to WordPress

• Higher cost for advanced features

Wix

Pros:

• High degree of flexibility with drag-and-drop functionality

• No coding required

• Good balance between ease of use and creative control

• Suitable for small businesses and personal websites

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for advanced customization

• Limited SEO capabilities compared to WordPress

WordPress

Pros:

• Highly versatile and customizable

• Large community and plenty of resources

• Suitable for complex websites and online communities

• Free to use (open-source)

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve

• Requires separate hosting and potentially other paid services

• More technical knowledge required for advanced features

Setting Up Squarespace

Given its ease of use and comprehensive features, we recommend Squarespace for most users. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up your Squarespace website:

1. Sign Up and Choose a Template

• Start by signing up for a free Squarespace account. You’ll be prompted to select a template—pick one that best aligns with your vision for your site. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect right away; Squarespace templates are highly customizable.

2. Customize Your Site

• Use Squarespace’s drag-and-drop editor to customize your template. Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts with ease. Add your content—such as text, images, and videos—and arrange it to create a professional, polished site.

3. Set Up Domain and Hosting

• Squarespace includes hosting as part of its plans, so no need for a separate provider. You can either purchase a domain directly through Squarespace or connect an existing one.

4. Launch

• After customizing your site to your satisfaction, preview it to ensure everything looks and functions correctly. Once you’re ready, hit the “Publish” button to make your site live.

Pre-Launch Checklist

Before you hit “publish,” it’s essential to go through a pre-launch checklist to ensure everything is in order. This will help you catch any last-minute errors and ensure your site is ready for visitors. Your checklist might include:

1. Proofreading All Content

• Check for typos, grammar mistakes, and broken links.

2. Testing Functionality

• Ensure all forms, buttons, and interactive elements work as expected.

3. Checking Responsiveness

• Make sure your site looks great and functions well on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

4. Optimizing Images

• Compress images to reduce load times without sacrificing quality.

5. Setting Up Google Analytics

• This will help you track visitor behavior and measure the success of your website.

6. Creating Backups

• Make sure you have a backup of your site in case something goes wrong.

Budgeting and Planning for Maintenance

Building your website is just the first step—keeping it running smoothly is an ongoing task. It’s important to budget not only for the initial build but also for regular maintenance. Planning for these ongoing costs from the start will help you avoid surprises later and ensure that your website remains a valuable asset for your business. Ongoing costs might include:

• Domain Renewal: You’ll need to renew your domain name annually. (~ $20/year)

• Hosting Fees: You will need to pay monthly or yearly website hosting fees. (~ $35/month)

• Security Updates: Keep your website secure, especially if you’re handling sensitive information. (~ $0)

• Content Updates: Regularly update your content to keep your site fresh and relevant. (~ $0)

• Technical Support: Depending on your skills, you might need to budget for occasional work from a developer.

Promoting Your Website Launch

Finally, once your website is ready, it’s time to promote your launch. A successful launch requires more than just hitting the “publish” button—you’ll want to let the world know your site is going live before it happens. Remember, promoting your website is an ongoing process. Even after the initial launch, you’ll need to find a way to continuously share your content, engage with your audience, and look for new ways to attract visitors. Promotion strategies include:

• Word of Mouth: Start by telling friends, family, and colleagues about your site.

• Email Announcements: Send an email to your contacts announcing the launch and inviting them to visit your site.

• Social Media: Share your website on your social media channels. Consider creating a dedicated campaign.

• SEO: Ensure your site is optimized for search engines so it can be found easily by searching for services.

• Blog Posts: Write a blog post announcing the launch and sharing the story behind your site.

• Flyers and Stickers: If you have access to a physical location, consider creating flyers or stickers to promote your site.

• Promotional Merchandise: Branded items like T-shirts, mugs, or pens can be an easy, low-cost way to promote your site.

• Banners and Posters: Use banners or posters at your business location, in public, or at events to drive traffic to your site.

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform is a critical step in building a successful website. The best platform for you is the one that fits your specific requirements and comfort level. As a recommendation, if you’re looking for a balance between cost, customizability, and scalability, Squarespace might be the best option. It offers a streamlined experience that doesn’t sacrifice professionalism or growth potential. This is where we will focus for the rest of our guidance, but the topics discussed are directly transferable to any website project.

The final choice is yours. Take the time to explore each platform, weigh the pros and cons, and select the one that feels right for you. With the right platform in place, you’ll be well on your way to launching a website that meets your goals and grows with your business.

by; Philip “Zeke” Gentle, founder of Gentle Media and Certified Scrum Master