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Table Of Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. 1. Pricing
  3. 2. Ease of Use
  4. 3. Customizability
  5. 4. SEO Capabilities
  6. 5. Plugins and Extensions
  7. 6. E-commerce Support
  8. 7. Mobile Responsiveness
  9. 8. Support and Community
  10. 9. Scalability
  11. 10. Data Ownership and Portability

10 Differences between WordPress vs. Wix or Squarespace.

In the crowded world of website building platforms, WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace stand out as the premier choices for individuals and businesses looking to establish an online presence. Each platform offers its own set of features and capabilities, catering to different needs and preferences. If you’re navigating the vast sea of website builders trying to pin down which one is right for you, this listicle breaks down the crucial differences between WordPress and two of its most popular competitors: Wix and Squarespace.

Introduction

Website builders have democratized online content creation, enabling even the most techaverse individuals to craft stunning websites without writing a single line of code. At the helm of this movement, WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace have garnered millions of users worldwide. But which one is the best fit for your unique needs? Let’s explore the major differentiators.

1. Pricing

For many, the bottom line of website creation is, well, the bottom line. Here’s how the platforms stack up in terms of cost:

  • Wix: Wix offers various pricing tiers ranging from a free plan (with Wix branding) to several premium options between $14 to $39 per month. E-commerce plans start at $23 per month.
  • WordPress: The open-source WordPress software is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for web hosting, which starts around $4 per month. Additionally, premium themes, plugins, and a domain will add to the cost.
  • Squarespace: Pricing starts at $12 per month for a personal website, $18 per month for a business site, and $26 per month for e-commerce. All plans include website hosting and an SSL certificate (a security must-have).

2. Ease of Use

Not everyone building a website has a technical background. Here’s how each platform caters to different skill levels:

  • WordPress: It boasts a steeper learning curve for beginners but offers immense flexibility for those willing to get their hands dirty in the backend. With the new block editor (Gutenberg), the user experience is more visual yet still requires a certain level of technical savvy.
  • Wix and Squarespace: Both platforms offer easy-to-use drag-and-drop functionality, making the website building experience highly intuitive. This approach is particularly friendly for those without technical expertise.

3. Customizability

Your website should be as unique as your business. How customizable are these platforms?

  • WordPress: The king of customizability. With thousands of themes and even more plugins, the sky’s the limit for what you can achieve visually and functionally.
  • Wix and Squarespace: Both offer a selection of professionally designed templates that can be customized to varying degrees. However, their ecosystems are far more closed off than the Expansive WordPress repository of themes and plugins.

4. SEO Capabilities

Top-notch Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is non-negotiable for your website’s success. Here’s how the platforms facilitate this critical task:

  • WordPress: Historically, its high level of flexibility allowed for robust SEO practices, though recent updates have leveled the playing field. With the likes of plugins such as Yoast SEO or Rank Math, WordPress is still the go-to for serious SEO management.
  • Wix and Squarespace: Both platforms offer SEO guidance and tools, but they lack the extensive optimization options that WordPress plugins provide.

5. Plugins and Extensions

Need a feature that’s not part of the native setup? This is where plugins and extensions come into play:

  • WordPress: The clear winner, thanks to an extensive library of over 55,000 plugins. Whatever functionality you imagine, there’s likely a plugin for it.
  • Wix and Squarespace: While both platforms offer their own app markets, the number and functionality of available tools don’t compare to the vast WordPress ecosystem.

6. E-commerce Support

Selling products or services online? Here’s how these website builders accommodate your ecommerce needs:

  • WordPress: While e-commerce functionality isn’t native to WordPress, the popular WooCommerce plugin transforms your website into a fully-fledged online store. Plenty of other plugins also offer e-commerce capabilities.
  • Wix and Squarespace: Both platforms provide built-in e-commerce support, allowing you to create and manage an online store with relative ease. They’re tailored for smaller online shops, whereas WordPress and WooCommerce are capable of handling larger inventories and more complex e-commerce requirements.

7. Mobile Responsiveness

With the majority of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, a mobile-friendly website is a necessity. Here’s how the platforms address this critical need:

  • WordPress: Responsiveness varies based on the theme you choose. Many modern WordPress themes are “mobile-first,” offering a seamless mobile experience out of the box.
  • Wix and Squarespace: All Wix and Squarespace templates are fully responsive, ensuring a consistent and optimal viewing experience across devices.

8. Support and Community

When you hit a snag, where can you turn for help? Consider the available support for each platform:

  • WordPress: Support forum aside, the extensive WordPress community provides a wealth of user-generated knowledge. For hosting-related issues, it depends on your chosen provider.
  • Wix and Squarespace: Both offer robust customer support, with Wix boasting phone support and Squarespace offering 24/7 email support. Note that the level of support may depend on your subscription tier.

9. Scalability

As your website grows, can your platform keep up? Here’s how scalable each builder is:

  • WordPress: Unlimited scalability. You’re only limited by the resources provided by your chosen web hosting plan. The ability to switch hosts and even manage your own server means there’s no cap on growth.
  • Wix and Squarespace: Both platforms offer straightforward paths to upgrade your plan when your needs expand. However, they can be less flexible than WordPress for scaling, and you may encounter limitations in terms of functionality.

10. Data Ownership and Portability

Who owns your website’s data, and how portable is it among different platforms?

  • WordPress: You own your data, which can be freely exported to a different platform at anytime. This is thanks to its open-source nature and the ability to back up and migrate your website with ease.
  • Wix and Squarespace: You are somewhat locked into their ecosystems. While you can export some of your data, the process is not as straightforward as it is with WordPress.

Conclusion

Each platform offers its own set of advantages, so it’s crucial to consider your unique needs and goals. If you’re new to website building and need something quick, easy, and cost-effective, Wix or Squarespace may be your best bet. However, if you’re willing to invest the time and effort into a platform that offers the most flexibility, scalability, and customization, WordPress is the clear winner.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your priorities: budget, ease of use, design freedom, scalability, or something else entirely. If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out for further guidance personalized to your specific business goals. Contact us for a free consultation and let us help you pave the way to a successful online presence.