compare website platforms
An honest, practical look at Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, Shopify, GoDaddy—and when a done-for-you subscription makes more sense.
Choosing a platform affects cost, speed-to-launch, SEO and how much time you spend managing your site. This guide breaks down pros and cons so you can pick the right path for your business in 2025.
Wix — Easy drag & drop for beginners
Wix is popular for its visual editor and large template library. It's built for people who want control without code.
Why people choose Wix
- True WYSIWYG editor — edit visually and see results
- Lots of templates and built-in apps
- Fast for small brochure sites
Limitations to know
- SEO control is decent but some advanced settings are more restricted than WordPress
- Switching templates later can be a challenge
- Costs can add up with paid apps
Best for: Small businesses and creatives who want a visual editor and quick setup without a developer.
Squarespace — Design-first, polished templates
Squarespace focuses on modern, designer templates and an opinionated editor that produces visually consistent sites.
Why people choose Squarespace
- Beautiful, mobile-ready templates out of the box
- Simple commerce features for small stores
- All-in-one hosting and CMS
Limitations to know
- Less flexible for complex customisations
- Advanced SEO requires careful use of built-in settings
- Not ideal if you need plugins or third‑party integrations beyond the built-in options
Best for: Creatives, photographers, and small stores who prioritise visual polish and a managed experience.
WordPress — Flexible but with choices to make (WordPress.com vs WordPress.org)
WordPress powers a large portion of the web. The ecosystem is powerful, but there's a difference between WordPress.com (hosted) and WordPress.org (self‑hosted).
WordPress.com (hosted)
Managed hosting with limited plugin access on lower tiers. Easier to start, less flexible at scale unless you upgrade.
WordPress.org (self-hosted)
Full control: install themes, plugins, and custom code. Requires hosting, security, and maintenance management.
Why choose WordPress
- Unmatched plugin ecosystem for SEO, ecommerce, performance
- Scales from blogs to enterprise sites
- Full ownership of code & content (with org)
Best for: Businesses that need custom functionality, advanced SEO, and full ownership. Expect maintenance or a developer if you go self-hosted.
Shopify — Built for commerce
Shopify is an e-commerce specialist: inventory, payments, shipping, and marketing tools all in one place.
Commerce advantages
- Robust checkout, payment integrations and inventory management
- Extensive app store for marketing & shipping
- Scales to large catalogs
Things to watch
- Monthly fees + transaction fees (unless you use Shopify Payments)
- Less control over server-level SEO tweaks compared with self-hosted WordPress
- Theme customisations often need developers
Best for: Businesses primarily selling products online who want a proven ecommerce platform.
GoDaddy — Basic, quick, and familiar
GoDaddy's website builder leans into simplicity and rapid setup for users who want the shortest path to a live page.
Why it's chosen
- Fast setup with guided steps
- Often bundled with domain and email
- Good for simple brochure sites
Limitations to know
- Limited flexibility and fewer integrations
- Upsell pressure for email, marketing, or upgrades
Best for: Solo owners who need a simple online presence quickly and cheaply.
Professional subscription services — Done‑for‑you websites
Subscription services bundle design, hosting, updates, and SEO into a single monthly fee. They remove the technical work from your to-do list.
How they differ
- Professional designers create or tweak your site
- Unlimited content updates often included
- Local SEO and monitoring handled for you
Trade-offs
- Monthly fee rather than a single upfront cost
- Some platforms are "managed" so switching tech requires a process
Best for: Busy business owners, trades, and service providers who want predictable costs and instant results without learning new tools.
Why consider a subscription service?
If you value your time and want consistent results, subscription services remove the technical overhead: launch quickly, get built-in SEO, domain & hosting included, and request changes via a simple message rather than spending hours in a builder.
Congero example: Australia’s AI-powered service builds live sites fast and supports unlimited updates for a flat monthly fee — a useful middle ground between DIY and expensive custom builds.
No hard sell — just a reminder that an all-in-one subscription can be the most cost-effective, lowest-stress option for many small businesses.
Side-by-side comparison
| Platform | Ease of use | Typical cost | SEO flexibility | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Very easy | $17–35/mo | Good for basics | Local services, portfolios |
| Squarespace | Very easy (opinionated) | $16–49/mo | Good for basics | Design-focused businesses |
| WordPress.com | Easy to moderate | $4–45/mo | Good with premium plans | Blogs, publishers |
| WordPress.org | Moderate to advanced | $5–50+/mo + dev costs | Excellent (plugins & control) | Custom sites, advanced SEO |
| Shopify | Easy for stores | $29–299+/mo + fees | Good for product SEO | Ecommerce businesses |
| GoDaddy | Very easy | $10–25/mo | Basic | Simple brochure sites |
| Professional subscription (e.g., Congero) | Minimal effort | $30–49/mo | Optimised by experts | Trades & busy small businesses |
Which platform should you pick?
I want the cheapest monthly cost
Start with a basic DIY builder or WordPress.com starter plan. Remember hidden time costs and premium apps can increase the total.
I need full control and advanced SEO
WordPress.org (self-hosted) gives maximum flexibility. Budget for maintenance, backups and occasional developer help.
I run an online store
Shopify is the safe, scalable e-commerce choice. WordPress + WooCommerce is powerful but requires more maintenance.
I just want leads and no fuss
Managed subscription services (like Congero) deliver professional sites, local SEO and unlimited updates with predictable monthly pricing—ideal for trades and service businesses who prefer to focus on customers, not code.
A neutral checklist to pick a platform
- How much time can you spend on setup and maintenance?
- Do you need ecommerce or advanced integrations?
- How important is SEO and technical ownership?
- Are you comfortable with monthly fees or do you prefer an upfront build?
Frequently asked questions
Is one platform best for SEO?
What are the real ongoing costs?
Can I switch platforms later?
What about ownership?
Need the simplest option that actually works?
If you're a tradie, local service or small business owner who wants a professional site without the setup headaches, a managed subscription is often the fastest path to results: built-for-mobile, local SEO included, and unlimited updates so your site grows with your business.
Congero builds and optimises websites for busy businesses in Australia — fast, affordable and supported. No lock-in contracts. Learn more via the demo link above.
