What Website Platform Should You Use in 2025?
Building a website isn’t just a checkbox on your business to-do list—it’s an investment in your brand’s long-term success. The platform you choose will determine not only how your website looks but also how well it functions, ranks in search engines, and supports your business as it grows.
Let’s break down the best options for 2025, their pros and cons, and who they’re best suited for.
WordPress
✅ Pros:
Unmatched flexibility & customization – You can build anything from a blog to a massive e-commerce store.
SEO powerhouse – With the right setup and plugins (like Rank Math or Yoast), WordPress dominates in search rankings.
Scalability – Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a large corporation, WordPress can grow with you.
Massive plugin ecosystem – Need a feature? There’s probably a plugin for that.
❌ Cons:
Steep learning curve – Expect to spend 6-12 months learning how to build and manage a WordPress site properly.
Security risks – Because it’s so widely used, WordPress is a frequent target for hackers. Regular updates and security plugins are a must.
Ongoing maintenance – Websites need frequent updates to prevent issues. Many business owners opt for maintenance plans ($100–$300/month).
Best for:
Business owners who want complete control over their website.
Anyone prioritizing SEO as a long-term strategy.
Entrepreneurs willing to hire a developer or invest time in learning the platform.
Shopify
✅ Pros:
Made for selling – Shopify is built for product-based businesses, with easy inventory management, checkout, and shipping integrations.
Huge app store – Tons of apps to add features like abandoned cart recovery, upsells, and more.
Secure & reliable – No need to worry about security, hosting, or performance issues—Shopify handles it all.
❌ Cons:
Not great for service-based businesses – The UX/UI is frustrating for non-product-based businesses.
Expensive – Monthly costs add up quickly, especially if you need multiple paid apps.
App quality varies – Some apps are great, but many are poorly made, leading to buggy experiences.
Best for:
E-commerce businesses selling physical or digital products.
Stores with 5+ products that need strong inventory management.
Business owners who prioritize simplicity over customization.
Squarespace
✅ Pros:
User-friendly & intuitive – Easy drag-and-drop interface makes it great for DIYers.
Beautiful templates – Professional designs that are mobile-optimized out of the box.
All-in-one solution – Hosting, security, and updates are handled for you.
Decent SEO – While not as powerful as WordPress, it still ranks well with proper setup.
❌ Cons:
Limited advanced customization – If you need unique functionality, you might hit some roadblocks.
Some features are hidden – Squarespace has deep pockets, but you’ll need to dig to unlock its full potential.
Pricing – While cheaper than Shopify, it’s still pricier than basic WordPress hosting.
Best for:
Service-based businesses, freelancers, and creatives.
Handmade shops & small product businesses (30 products or fewer).
Business owners who want an easy-to-maintain website without hiring a developer.
Wix
✅ Pros:
Super easy to use – Drag-and-drop builder makes it one of the most beginner-friendly platforms.
All-in-one solution – Hosting, security, and templates included.
❌ Cons:
SEO struggles – Wix has improved, but it still lags behind WordPress and Squarespace in SEO capabilities.
Less professional feel – While it’s improving, many Wix sites still look like DIY projects.
Limited scalability – It’s fine for a basic site, but if you grow, you’ll likely need to switch platforms.
Showit
✅ Pros:
Total design freedom – Unlike Squarespace or Wix, Showit lets you fully customize every detail without code.
Best for photographers & creatives – The drag-and-drop interface makes designing visually stunning websites easy.
WordPress blogging integration – You get the best of both worlds: Showit for design and WordPress for SEO.
❌ Cons:
Pricey – More expensive than Wix and Squarespace, especially for premium templates.
Learning curve – More flexible = more to learn. If you don’t like designing from scratch, this might not be for you.
Not ideal for e-commerce – While you can integrate Shopify buttons, it’s not a true e-commerce platform.
The DIY Reality: Websites Take Time
No matter which platform you choose, building a functional, high-converting website takes time. Even after launch, it’s a weekly chore to:
Update plugins, products, and services.
Add fresh content (blogs are key for SEO!).
Work on backlinks (getting other websites to link to yours).
A website is a business asset, not just a pretty online brochure!
When it’s done right, it brings in leads, automates processes, and books services / sells products.
So, what’s your best option?
Only you know your time and financial situation. At least now you have a comprehensive list on what may be the best platform choice for you.
As always, House of Bear Creative has options for you. As you know, we build beautiful websites, like the one you’re on now. You can book a consultation today and get on our books. Don’t wait!
We have limited availability.
Did you know that House of Bear Creative is a Squarespace Circle Member? We can talk about what that means for you.
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Your website isn’t just a box to check—it’s a key part of your brand’s success. The platform you choose affects everything from design to SEO to scalability. Here’s a quick breakdown of the best options:
WordPress – Best for total control & SEO dominance but requires a steep learning curve and ongoing maintenance.
Shopify – Perfect for product-based businesses with built-in e-commerce tools, but it gets expensive fast.
Squarespace – Ideal for service-based businesses & creatives, easy to use, but has some customization limits.
Wix – Beginner-friendly but struggles with SEO and scalability.
Showit – Dreamy design freedom for creatives with WordPress blog power, but not built for e-commerce.
Whichever platform you choose, remember: websites aren’t just pretty—they should drive leads, sales, and growth. Need help? House of Bear Creative is booking website builds now. Snag your spot! 🚀
Check out the Squarespace Refresh offer below. You might be a PERFECT fit for this service.
