How to Choose the Right Website Platform (Without the Overwhelm)
Choosing the right platform for your website can feel like a minefield—there are so many options, and if you don’t pick the right one, you might find yourself stuck with something that doesn’t work for your business long-term. I’ve been in the branding and website zone for a while now, and I’ve seen too many people invest in a platform that just doesn’t fit them. They either get lured in by flashy features they don’t need or pick something too limited and end up rebuilding from scratch a year later. So, let’s cut through the noise and make this decision easier.
Step 1: Start With Your Website’s Purpose
Your website isn’t just a website—it’s a tool that should work for you. The first step in choosing the right platform is understanding what you actually need it to do.
Ask yourself: What’s the main goal of my website?
Selling products? → You need a strong e-commerce platform.
Showcasing your work? → You need a portfolio site.
Sharing your thoughts and expertise? → A blog might be your main focus.
Taking bookings? → A system with appointment scheduling is key.
Running a course or membership? → You need a platform with built-in online learning tools.
Too often, I see people get overwhelmed by options because they haven’t actually defined what they need their website to do. When you get clear on this, the decision becomes so much easier. It’s also ok to need more than one as long as you can clearly articulate your goals with your site.
Step 2: DIY or Hire a Pro?
Now that you know what your website needs to do, the next question is: Do you want to build it yourself, or do you need help?
I’ve worked with clients who are total DIY legends—they love getting hands-on and tweaking every little thing themselves. And then there are clients who would rather step on lego than mess around with website settings. Both are valid!
Here’s a quick way to know what’s best for you:
Go DIY if... You’re comfortable with tech, have all your brand elements ready to go, enjoy learning new things, and have the time to build and maintain your website.
Hire a pro if... You want a polished, custom design, need professional branding help, need advanced features, or simply don’t want to deal with the tech side of things.
Step 3: What Features Do You Actually Need?
Now for the nitty-gritty—what functionality will make your life easier? Because realistically, there’s no point in paying for a platform with a million features if you’ll only use three.
Consider these essentials:
E-commerce: Shopify is built for online stores, but Squarespace and WordPress also offer solid e-commerce options.
Ease of Use: Squarespace and Wix are the easiest platforms for beginners (Wix is limited in design and editing).
SEO & Marketing: WordPress is the gold standard for SEO, but Squarespace and shopify have excellent built-in tools too.
Step 4: Maintenance & Growth—Think Long-Term
One of the biggest mistakes I see is choosing a platform based on what you need right now without considering how your business will grow. The question to ask yourself is:
How much do I want to manage on the backend?
Before you decide, it’s important to understand the difference between:
Managing content → Updating text and images, adding blog posts, uploading new products, and making small tweaks. Most platforms make this easy.
Managing the tech side → Software updates, security patches, plugin management, troubleshooting issues, and keeping everything running smoothly. Some platforms handle this for you, while others require ongoing maintenance.
So what’s the best option for you?
I want low maintenance & easy updates → Squarespace or Shopify. These platforms handle security, updates, and techy stuff for you, so you can focus on running your business. You can log in, change content, and keep things fresh—without worrying too much about the backend.
I need advanced features & have ongoing developer support → WordPress. While it’s highly customisable, it also requires regular updates, security management, and someone who knows what they’re doing to avoid problems. Without ongoing support, it can become a headache.
I’m growing into memberships or courses → Kajabi or WordPress with a Learning Management System (LMS). If online courses are your focus, Kajabi is the most user-friendly option, while WordPress offers flexibility if you have the right support.
*WordPress Reality Check: While WordPress offers endless customisation, it’s not always the best choice for small business owners who want to manage their own site in house. It often requires more time, money, and technical know-how to maintain. If you’re not comfortable with ongoing upkeep (or don’t have someone to do it for you), Squarespace or Shopify are much more manageable in the long run.
| Platform | Best For | Ease of Use | Customisation | E-commerce | SEO Tools | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace | Service businesses, portfolios, artists, community centres | High (simple content updates) | Great | Moderate | Strong | Low (platform handles security & updates) |
| Shopify | Online stores, ecommerce | High (designed for non-tech users) | Great | Excellent also Mobile | Strong | Low (Shopify manages security & updates) |
| WordPress | Blogs, complex sites, ecommerce | Low (content updates are easy, but backend management is'nt) | Great | Great | Strong | High (requires ongoing updates, security, and developer support) |
| Wix | Small businesses, small sites | High (very user-friendly, but limited growth potential) | Moderate | Basic | Basic | Low (platform handles updates) |
| Kajabi | Online courses, memberships | High (built for course creators) | Moderate | Moderate | Good | Low (platform manages updates) |
| SquareUp | Markets, small biz | Moderate (once you get the hang of it) | Limited | Basic good for mobile | Basic | Low (platform manages tech updates) |
Final Thoughts
The best website platform is the one that supports your business, is easy for you to manage, and can grow with you.
Since I primarily design on Squarespace and Shopify, I know these platforms inside out—but if you’re considering another option and need help deciding, I’m always happy to chat.
If you’re still unsure, start simple—it’s better to have a clean, functional website than to get stuck in endless decision-making mode. And if you need help figuring out the best fit, let’s chat!
