WordPress vs. Wix vs. Squarespace: Which Platform is Best for Your Business?

Building a website for your business doesn’t have to be daunting. With so many website builders available, you can create a professional-looking site without writing a single line of code. Three of the most popular platforms—WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace—offer user-friendly tools to get you online quickly. But which one is right for your business? In this article, we compare these platforms based on ease of use, customisation options, pricing, and scalability to help you decide. We’ll also explore why, as your business grows, you might consider a bespoke solution from a professional developer for ultimate flexibility.

WordPress.org (the self-hosted version we’re focusing on here) is a powerful platform but comes with a steeper learning curve. Setting it up requires choosing a hosting provider, installing the software, and configuring themes and plugins. While its dashboard is intuitive once you’re familiar, beginners might feel overwhelmed by the technical setup. WordPress.com, the hosted version, is simpler but less flexible.

Wix shines for beginners. Its drag-and-drop editor lets you design your site visually, with no coding required. You can start from a template or build from scratch, and changes are reflected in real-time. The platform handles hosting and updates, so you can focus on creating your site. It’s ideal if you want to get online quickly without technical hassle.

Squarespace strikes a balance between ease and polish. Its interface is sleek and intuitive, with a block-based editor for arranging content. Like Wix, it’s fully hosted, so there’s no need to manage servers or software. While it’s slightly less flexible than Wix’s drag-and-drop system, Squarespace’s streamlined approach makes it easy to create a professional site with minimal effort.

Wix wins for beginners who want simplicity and speed. Squarespace is great for those seeking a polished look with minimal setup. WordPress suits users comfortable with some technical tinkering.

WordPress is unmatched for customisation. With thousands of themes (free and premium) and over 60,000 plugins, you can tailor your site to do almost anything—from e-commerce to membership portals. However, achieving your vision might require coding knowledge (HTML, CSS, or PHP) or hiring a developer, especially for complex features.

Wix offers a decent range of customisation through its templates and built-in tools. You can tweak layouts, fonts, and colours freely within its editor. The Wix App Market provides add-ons for features like bookings or analytics, but it’s less extensive than WordPress’s plugin library. Advanced customisation is limited unless you dive into Wix’s Velo coding platform, which requires technical skills.

Squarespace prioritises design quality over flexibility. Its templates are stunning and responsive, but you’re somewhat restricted to their frameworks. You can adjust styles and add features like e-commerce or blogs, but there’s no app store for third-party extensions. For bespoke functionality, you’ll need to rely on Squarespace’s built-in tools or custom code, which can feel limiting.

WordPress is the king of customisation, perfect for unique or complex needs. Wix offers solid flexibility for non-coders, while Squarespace delivers beautiful but less adaptable designs.

WordPress.org’s software is free, but you’ll need to budget for hosting (typically £3–£30/month depending on the provider), a domain name (around £10–£20/year), and optional premium themes or plugins (£20–£200 one-time or yearly). Costs can add up if you need developer help for setup or customisation. WordPress.com starts at £3/month but restricts advanced features to higher plans (£15–£40/month).

Wix offers a free plan with basic features and Wix branding, but most businesses will need a paid plan. Combo (£9/month) suits personal sites, while Business Basic (£17/month) supports e-commerce. Premium plans (£27–£49/month) add advanced features like analytics or custom code. Prices include hosting and a free domain for the first year, making budgeting straightforward.

Squarespace has no free plan but offers a 14-day trial. Plans start at £12/month (Personal) for basic sites, with Business (£17/month) adding marketing tools. Commerce plans (£23–£35/month) cater to online stores. Like Wix, pricing covers hosting and a free domain for the first year, but costs can feel steep for small businesses needing advanced features.

WordPress can be the cheapest or priciest, depending on your setup. Wix offers clear, affordable plans for small businesses. Squarespace’s pricing is straightforward but slightly higher for similar features.

WordPress scales exceptionally well. Whether you’re adding thousands of products to an e-commerce store, integrating complex CRM systems, or handling high traffic, WordPress can grow with your business—provided you invest in quality hosting and maintenance. However, managing updates, security, and performance as your site expands can become time-consuming without technical know-how.

Wix handles small to medium-sized sites well, supporting e-commerce, bookings, and moderate traffic. Its all-in-one platform simplifies scaling within its ecosystem, but you might hit limits with highly customised features or enterprise-level needs. For example, complex integrations or unique functionality often require workarounds or third-party tools.

Squarespace is great for small to medium businesses, especially those focused on aesthetics—like portfolios or boutique shops. It supports e-commerce and blogging but struggles with highly bespoke requirements or massive traffic spikes. Scaling beyond a certain point often means compromising on functionality or migrating to another platform.

WordPress is the most scalable, ideal for long-term growth. Wix and Squarespace suit smaller businesses but may restrict you as complexity increases.

Each platform serves DIY website owners well, but they come with trade-offs. WordPress offers unmatched flexibility but demands time and technical skills. Wix prioritises ease but sacrifices depth for advanced features. Squarespace delivers stunning designs but restricts customisation. If your business is growing—or you’re dreaming of a site with unique functionality—a custom solution might be the answer.

This is where a professional developer comes in. A bespoke website, built from scratch or tailored beyond a platform’s constraints, offers complete control. Whether it’s a stock management system integrated with your e-commerce site, a mobile app to enhance customer experience, or a high-performance website optimised for conversions, custom solutions scale with your vision. While they require a larger upfront investment, they can save time and frustration as your needs evolve.

- Choose WordPress if you’re comfortable with some technical setup and want maximum flexibility for a growing site. It’s ideal for businesses planning complex features or large-scale e-commerce.

- Choose Wix if you’re a beginner needing a quick, affordable, and user-friendly solution for a small to medium business or personal project.

- Choose Squarespace if aesthetics are your priority and you want a polished site for a portfolio, blog, or small shop without much maintenance.

Ultimately, the best platform depends on your current needs, budget, and long-term goals. Start with one of these tools to get your business online, and when you’re ready to take things to the next level, consider partnering with a professional software development team to unlock your site’s full potential.

Whether you need a custom web application, a scalable management system, or a bespoke user experience, Kinovu can bring your vision to life. Contact us today to discuss your project!