What are the Top 3 Website Development Options for Solopreneurs?

When it comes to website development sites, several platforms stand out as popular choices for creating websites without extensive coding knowledge. Three of the top platforms in this regard are WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. Whether you are looking to build your own website, or pursuing web development as a solopreneurial adventure, any of these three options will be a great place to start.

Wix

I’m starting off with Wix because it is my personal favorite for just-starting-out, simple designs and usability. This site is built in Wix, and gives me what I need without being overwhelming.

Strengths

• User-Friendly: Wix is known for its drag-and-drop editor, which makes it incredibly easy for beginners to create professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. The platform offers a range of templates and design elements to choose from.

• All-in-One Solution: Wix provides hosting, domain registration, and website building tools all in one place, streamlining the process for users. This makes it convenient for small businesses and individuals who want a simple solution.

• Customer Support: Wix offers extensive customer support, including help articles, tutorials, and a dedicated support team. Users can get assistance via email, phone, or live chat.

Weaknesses

• Limited Customization: While Wix's drag-and-drop editor is easy to use, it also limits customization compared to platforms like WordPress. Users may find it challenging to implement more complex features or layouts.

• Template Dependency: Wix's templates are visually appealing, but they can also be limiting in terms of design flexibility. Users may struggle to achieve a unique look and feel for their websites, especially if they want to deviate from the templates provided.

Price Point

Wix offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan with Wix branding and limitations. Paid plans start at around $14 per month and go up to $39 per month for business and e-commerce features.

WordPress

Wordpress is probably the more popular option, and there are a ton of options to customize, but personally I feel like it’s too much for just starting out, and for those who just want a simple site.

Strengths

• Flexibility: WordPress is an open-source platform that allows for extensive customization through themes and plugins. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of websites, from blogs and portfolios to e-commerce stores and corporate websites.

• Large Community: WordPress has a vast community of developers, designers, and users who contribute to its ecosystem. This community support means there are countless resources available, including themes, plugins, tutorials, and forums for troubleshooting.

• SEO-Friendly: WordPress is inherently SEO-friendly, with features such as customizable permalinks, meta tags, and SEO plugins like Yoast SEO. This makes it easier for websites built on WordPress to rank well in search engine results.

Weaknesses

• Learning Curve: While WordPress is user-friendly, it still has a learning curve, especially for beginners who are new to website development. Customizing themes and managing plugins may require some technical knowledge.

• Maintenance: Since WordPress is self-hosted, users are responsible for managing updates, security, and backups. While there are plugins and services available to help with this, it adds an extra layer of responsibility.

Price Point

WordPress itself is free to use, but users need to pay for domain registration and web hosting. Costs can vary depending on the hosting provider and any premium themes or plugins used. Personally, this is where it gets to be too much for me because there are so many options, and plugins to test, that it feels like the costs build up quick

Squarespace

I don’t have a lot of personal experience in Squarespace as I have only used it for a client who already had the templates made up, so I was just dropping in updated information. But, it was definitely intuitive and user-friendly.

Strengths

• Design Aesthetic: Squarespace is known for its visually stunning templates and modern design aesthetic. The platform is popular among creatives and professionals who want a polished and sophisticated look for their websites.

• All-in-One Platform: Similar to Wix, Squarespace provides hosting, domain registration, and website building tools in one integrated platform. This makes it convenient for users who want a seamless experience.

• Mobile Optimization: Squarespace websites are automatically optimized for mobile devices, ensuring a consistent and responsive experience across different screen sizes.

Weaknesses

• Less Flexibility: While Squarespace offers beautiful templates, customization options are more limited compared to platforms like WordPress. Users may find it challenging to implement advanced features or make significant design changes.

Pricing 

Squarespace is known for being slightly more expensive than other website builders. While it offers a 14-day free trial, paid plans start at around $12 per month (billed annually) for personal websites and go up to $40 per month for business and e-commerce features.

What do you think? What's your favorite platform?