It’s a good question. If you’re starting from scratch, the options can feel overwhelming. WordPress (WP), Wix, and Squarespace, they all promise that building a website is ‘easy’. But before you commit, it’s worth understanding what you’re actually signing up for.
What is WordPress and how does it work?
WP is a free, open-source Content Management System (CMS). In simple terms, it’s a platform that lets you build and manage a website without needing to code everything yourself. It powers over 40% of all websites globally!
You work from a backend dashboard where you upload content, create pages, add blogs, and manage settings. The design is controlled by a core theme, and functionality is added through plugins.
Behind the scenes, WP stores your content in a database and uses PHP (a general-purpose, server-side scripting language) to generate the pages people see when they visit your site.
You don’t need to understand the coding side to use it. But you do need to understand how everything connects.
What is Wix and how does it work?
Wix is a website builder that allows you to create a site using a drag-and-drop interface. Unlike WordPress, it is not open-source and is instead an all-in-one platform, meaning hosting, design, and functionality are all included.
You build your website visually, placing elements such as text, images, and buttons directly onto the page. Wix handles the technical side in the background, so there is little need to manage databases, plugins, or codes.
It is designed to be easy to use, particularly for beginners, but this simplicity can limit flexibility compared to WordPress.
What is Squarespace and how does it work?
Squarespace is also an all-in-one website builder, similar to Wix, but with a stronger focus on design and structured layouts. It provides professionally designed templates that you customise rather than build from scratch.
Like Wix, hosting and maintenance are included, and you manage everything through a single dashboard. Content is added in a more structured way, which helps keep designs consistent but allows less creative freedom.
Squarespace is often used for portfolios, small business websites, and content-led sites where design and presentation are key.
Why is WordPress considered the industry standard?
Because it gives you control. Plugins are one of the biggest reasons people choose WP. They’re easy to install and ready to use. For example:
- Akismet Anti-Spam protects your site from spam.
- Gravity Forms lets you build and manage forms – for emails, job applications etc.
- Job Postings plugins allow structured vacancy listings.
- Team profile plugins display staff in a clean and responsive layout.
- WPCode Lite allows you to insert scripts, tracking pixels, or snippets safely.
- WooCommerce and similar plugins allow you to turn your website into an e-commerce platform.
These are just examples, but they show how flexible WP is. You can build something simple or you can build something complex. Whether you just want to showcase your business or run an entire shop or e-learning platform, WordPress will have a theme and a set of plugins to support it.
What about SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. It’s the process of improving your website so it ranks better in unpaid search results. WP connects easily to strong SEO plugins like Yoast. Inside the backend of the plugins, you’ll manage:
- Focus key phrases
- Page titles
- Meta descriptions
- Slugs
- Readability
- Inclusive language
Yoast even gives you visual indicators – red means work needed, amber means improvement required, green means you’re on track. However, just because a plugin makes SEO accessible doesn’t mean it’s easy. Good SEO takes time, consistency, and understanding your audience. It’s important to remember that Yoast and other tools are an aid, and don’t do the thinking for you.
Ultimately, like anything in business, taking professional advice is key to success when it comes to marketing activity – this is no less true for websites than any other aspect of your business.
Design flexibility.
There are endless themes available, you can customise them to reflect your brand and personality. It’s one of the most exciting parts of building a website is seeing it start to feel and look like yours. In addition, the dashboard is universal. No matter who logs in, it looks familiar. That consistency makes it easier to manage long-term.
So, if it’s that good… why do people choose Wix or Squarespace?
Because they’re very simple. Wix and Squarespace are both website builders that are closed systems. You don’t have to think about hosting, databases, or technical structure, this can seem appealing, but simplicity often means limitations. See the table for a quick comparison between the website builders. Overall, if you want quick and contained, other platforms may feel easier. If you want control and room to grow, WordPress tends to win.
Why come to us before you start?
Because the decisions you make at the beginning affect everything later. Platform choice. Domain structure. SEO setup. Design direction. Plugins. Security. It’s much easier to build properly from day one than to unpick and fix something later on.
If you’re thinking about a new website, speak to us before you commit. We’ll help you decide whether WordPress is right for you and if it is, we’ll make sure it’s built smoothly ensuring safety, creativity, and good functionality to ensure your website attracts the right clientele for you. Get in touch with the team for advice and support.