WordPress vs. Showit vs. Squarespace vs. Wix
Not sure which website platform to choose for your business?
Keep reading to make an informed decision for your business.
Your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers.
That’s why it’s crucial to have a website that looks professional and reflects your brand’s identity and values.
With so many website platforms available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
In this article, we’ll compare four popular website platforms: WordPress vs. Showit vs. Squarespace vs. Wix, and help you determine the best fit for your business.
Each platform has strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the right one depends on your needs and goals.
Here’s a breakdown of each platform:
WordPress
WordPress.org is a popular content management system used by many websites worldwide, from personal blogs to corporate websites of major organizations such as Sony, Time Inc., the New York Post, and NBC.
WordPress is the most popular due to its unique features and functionality.
One of the reasons for WordPress’s popularity is its ease of use. It is simple to install, even for those not technically savvy, and the user interface is intuitive and user-friendly. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners who want to create their website without spending much time and effort learning to use a complex system.
Another advantage of WordPress is that it is highly customizable. With thousands of free and paid themes available, users can create a unique look and feel for their websites without having any design skills. Additionally, there are over 50,000 plugins available, allowing users to add functionality to their websites without needing coding knowledge.
WordPress is also SEO-friendly. It is designed to be easily crawled by search engines, making it easy for users to optimize their websites for search engines. Additionally, WordPress has several built-in SEO features that can help users to improve their website’s visibility in search engine results pages.
WordPress Pros:
- Easy to use, even for beginners
- Highly customizable with a vast selection of themes and plugins available
- SEO-friendly with built-in SEO features and easy crawl ability for search engines
- Open-source software, with a large community of developers and users constantly improving and updating it
- Large user base, making it easy to find resources and support
- Scalable, allowing websites to grow with the needs of the user
WordPress Cons:
- Security vulnerabilities due to its popularity and open-source nature, making it a target for hackers
- It can be resource-intensive, with plugins and themes sometimes slowing down the website’s performance.
- Customization options may require some coding knowledge, limiting some users’ abilities to make specific changes.
Cost of WordPress
WordPress.org is free.
However, you will need to purchase website hosting, which costs between $3-50 per month, depending on your specific requirements.
Additional potential costs associated with WordPress are plugins and page templates.
Showit
Showit is a robust web design and hosting platform that provides users with a range of features to create a custom desktop and mobile website easily. It is a drag-and-drop interface that does not require any coding, making it accessible to users with no prior web design experience.
One of the standout features of Showit is its flexibility in terms of design options. Users can choose to start from scratch and design a completely custom website or use one of the many pre-designed templates available, such as those from Northfolk. These templates offer a great starting point for those who may not have a specific design in mind or may not have the time to create a website from scratch.
Showit also offers a mobile app that allows users to edit and manage their websites on the go. This feature is handy for those who need to make quick changes to their website or blog while away from their desktop computer.
In terms of integration, Showit has seamless integration with WordPress for easy blogging and SEO. This integration allows users to use Showit for the design and hosting of their website while still having the power of WordPress for blogging and search engine optimization.
Additionally, Showit provides users with excellent customer support. They offer a range of resources, including video tutorials, a knowledge base, and a community forum, to help users learn and troubleshoot any issues they may encounter while designing their website.
Showit Pros:
- Drag-and-drop interface that requires no coding knowledge
- Flexible design options, including pre-designed templates
- Integration with WordPress for easy blogging and SEO
- Mobile app for editing and managing websites on the go
- Excellent customer support, including video tutorials and a community forum
Showit Cons:
- It may not be suitable for larger eCommerce websites
- Limited control over updates and maintenance, as it is a hosted service
- Limited third-party integrations outside of WordPress
- Customization options may require some coding knowledge, limiting some users’ abilities to make specific changes.
- Limited control over updates and maintenance as it is a hosted service
Cost of Showit
Showit offers three plans ranging from $19 to $34 per month.
The plans vary in features, with the most expensive plan offering the ability to install custom plugins for WordPress and work with an SEO expert.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular website building and hosting company based in New York City that provides a software-as-a-service platform for users to create and host their websites. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to create professional-looking websites without requiring advanced technical skills.
One of the standout features of Squarespace is its selection of pre-built website templates. Users can choose from a range of professionally designed templates that are fully customizable, making it easy to create a unique website that fits their brand. The responsive templates ensure that the website looks great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
Squarespace also offers a drag-and-drop interface, making adding text, images, videos, and other elements to web pages quickly. The platform includes various design tools and features, such as custom fonts and colors, allowing users to create a cohesive and visually appealing website.
In terms of hosting, Squarespace provides users with reliable and secure hosting that is optimized for fast loading times. The platform also includes built-in search engine optimization tools to help users improve their website’s visibility in search engine results.
Squarespace also has an e-commerce platform that allows users to create an online store to sell products and services. The platform includes various features, such as inventory management and payment processing, to make it easy to run an online store.
Squarespace has exceptional customer support, which includes 24/7 email and live chat assistance, as well as a knowledge base and community forum to aid users in resolving any problems they face.
Squarespace Pros:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Professional-looking pre-built website templates
- Reliable and secure hosting with fast loading times
- Built-in search engine optimization tools
- E-commerce platform for creating an online store
- Excellent customer support with 24/7 availability
Squarespace Cons:
- Limited customization options compared to more advanced content management systems
- Limited control over updates and maintenance as it is a hosted service
- It may not be suitable for users with advanced technical skills
- Limited third-party integrations outside of Squarespace’s platform
- Limited control over updates and maintenance as it is a hosted service.
Cost of Squarespace
Four different plans are available: Personal, Business, Basic Commerce, and Advanced Commerce.
The cost of the plans varies, with the Personal plan starting at $12 per month and the Advanced Commerce plan costing $40 per month.
Wix
Wix is a popular cloud-based website builder that offers web hosting and design services. Its intuitive drag-and-drop tools and a vast selection of over 500 ready-made templates make it easy for users to create their websites without any specialist skills or the need to hire a web developer. Wix is an excellent option for those who want to build a website quickly and efficiently while still having creative control over the design.
Wix provides users with various tools to help them create a professional-looking website, including various customizable templates covering various industries and niches. The drag-and-drop interface allows users to easily add and edit elements on their web pages, including text, images, videos, and forms. Additionally, Wix offers a range of design tools, including a logo maker and custom fonts, that allows users to create a unique brand identity for their website.
One of the advantages of using Wix is its focus on e-commerce functionality. The platform provides users various tools to create an online store, including payment processing, inventory management, and shipping options. This makes it an ideal option for small and medium e-commerce businesses seeking an online presence.
Wix is also known for its excellent customer support, which includes 24/7 availability through phone, email, and chat. The platform also offers a knowledge base and community forum to help users troubleshoot any issues.
With over 200 million registered users worldwide and available in 17 languages, Wix is popular for website building and hosting. Its ease of use, range of design options, and e-commerce functionality make it an ideal option for small businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence.
Wix Pros:
- User-friendly drag-and-drop interface
- Vast selection of customizable templates
- E-commerce functionality with payment processing and inventory management
- Excellent customer support, including 24/7 availability
- Availability in 17 languages
- Ideal for small and medium-sized businesses
Wix Cons:
- Limited control over updates and maintenance as it is a hosted service
- Limited ability to customize templates beyond the drag-and-drop interface
- Limited third-party integrations outside of Wix’s platform
- It may not be suitable for users with advanced technical skills or specific customization needs
- Websites built on Wix may not be as scalable as other content management systems.
Cost of Wix
Four plans are available: Personal, Entrepreneurs and Freelancers, Complete Online Branding, and VIP.
The cost of the plans varies, with the Personal plan starting at $14 per month and the VIP plan costing $39 per month.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Business
Choosing the right website platform for your business can be a daunting task.
With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine the best option for your particular needs and budget.
Here are some key considerations when selecting a website platform:
Consider Your Needs
Before choosing a website platform, it’s essential to consider your business’s needs.
What kind of website do you want to build? Do you need advanced features, such as e-commerce or membership functionality? Or do you need a simple website to showcase your business and services?
Understanding your needs will help you choose a platform that meets your requirements.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is another crucial factor when choosing a website platform.
If you’re unfamiliar with coding, you’ll want a platform that’s easy to use and doesn’t require much technical knowledge.
Wix and Squarespace are known for their drag-and-drop builders, making it easy for anyone to create a website without coding experience.
WordPress, however, requires a bit more technical knowledge to set up and customize.
Customization Options
Another important factor to consider is customization options.
Depending on your needs, you may want a platform that offers more customization options.
WordPress is known for its flexibility and endless customization options. You can customize your website with various themes, plugins, and code.
Showit also offers a high level of customization, allowing you to design your website with drag-and-drop tools and custom code.
Squarespace and Wix offer customization options but are more limited than WordPress and Showit.
Pricing
Pricing is also an important consideration when choosing a website platform.
Depending on your budget, you’ll want to choose a platform that offers the features you need at an affordable price.
Squarespace and Wix offer pricing plans that include everything you need to build a website, including hosting, templates, and customer support.
WordPress is a free, open-source platform, but you must pay for hosting and themes/plugins.
Showit is a bit more expensive than the other options, but its pricing plans include hosting and support.
SEO and Marketing
If you want your website to be found by potential customers, you’ll want to choose a platform that offers good SEO and marketing features.
WordPress is known for its SEO capabilities, with many plugins available to help you optimize your website for search engines.
Showit, Squarespace, and Wix also offer built-in SEO features, but they may not be as robust as WordPress.
E-commerce
If you plan on selling products or services through your website, you’ll want a platform that offers e-commerce functionality.
Squarespace and Wix offer built-in e-commerce features, allowing you to set up an online store and accept payments.
WordPress also offers e-commerce functionality through plugins like WooCommerce.
Showit does not offer built-in e-commerce functionality, but you can integrate with third-party platforms like Shopify.
Support and Community
Finally, consider the support and community available for each platform.
WordPress has a vast community of developers and users who can help you with any questions or issues.
Squarespace and Wix offer customer support, but it may not be as extensive as WordPress.
Showit offers excellent customer support and an active community of users and designers.
FAQs: WordPress vs Showit vs Squarespace vs Wix
Is Wix better than Showit?
Determining whether Wix is better than Showit depends on your specific requirements and needs. Both platforms offer website building capabilities, but they cater to different audiences and have distinct features.
Wix is a popular website builder known for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality. It provides a wide range of customizable templates, a variety of apps and plugins, and extensive support documentation. Wix is suitable for beginners or individuals who prefer a simpler website building experience without requiring coding skills.
On the other hand, Showit is a website builder specifically designed for creative professionals, such as photographers, designers, and artists. Showit allows for greater design flexibility and customization options compared to Wix. It offers a unique approach by combining a drag-and-drop editor with the capability to work with WordPress on the backend. Showit is ideal for those who prioritize creative freedom and want to create visually stunning websites with unique layouts.
Ultimately, the choice between Wix and Showit depends on your specific requirements, design preferences, and technical expertise. Evaluate the features, templates, customization options, and integrations offered by each platform to determine which one aligns better with your needs.
Why is Showit better than Squarespace?
Showit can be considered better than Squarespace in terms of customization options. While Squarespace is a popular website builder that provides sleek templates and a user-friendly interface, Showit offers more flexibility and creative freedom in designing your website.
Showit allows users to create custom designs using a drag-and-drop editor, giving you control over every element and allowing for more unique and personalized website layouts. In contrast, Squarespace offers a selection of pre-designed templates with limited customization options. While you can still make adjustments within Squarespace’s templates, it may not offer the same level of flexibility as Showit.
Additionally, Showit’s integration with WordPress on the backend provides access to WordPress’s extensive library of plugins, themes, and functionality, allowing for further customization and scalability. This combination of visual design capabilities and the power of WordPress gives Showit an advantage over Squarespace in terms of customization options and potential website functionality.
Which is better: WordPress vs. Wix?
WordPress is better than Wix due to its flexibility, scalability, and extensive customization capabilities. WordPress is a versatile content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. Here are a few reasons why WordPress is preferred over Wix:
- Flexibility: WordPress allows for complete control over your website’s design, functionality, and content. With thousands of free and premium themes, as well as a vast selection of plugins, you can customize your website to meet your specific needs and requirements.
- Scalability: WordPress is highly scalable, making it suitable for small personal blogs, large e-commerce websites, and everything in between. As your website grows, WordPress can accommodate increasing traffic and content without sacrificing performance.
- Extensive community and resources: WordPress has a vast community of developers, designers, and users who contribute to its ongoing development and support. This results in a wealth of themes, plugins, tutorials, and forums available to help you troubleshoot issues and enhance your website.
- Self-hosted solution: WordPress allows you to host your website on your own server or choose from a variety of hosting providers, giving you complete control over your website’s performance, security, and backups.
Is Squarespace better than Wix?
No, Squarespace is not better than Wix, as both platforms have their own strengths and weaknesses. The choice between Squarespace and Wix depends on your specific needs, preferences, and skill level.
Squarespace is known for its polished and visually appealing templates, user-friendly interface, and integrated e-commerce features. It provides a streamlined website-building experience and is suitable for users who prioritize design aesthetics and simplicity. Squarespace offers reliable hosting, built-in SEO features, and a range of e-commerce tools, making it a solid choice for small businesses and creative professionals.
On the other hand, Wix is a popular website builder that offers a wider range of customization options, including a drag-and-drop editor, an extensive app market, and third-party integrations. Wix is known for its beginner-friendly interface, allowing users to easily create and customize websites without coding knowledge. It provides a broader selection of templates and has a more extensive ecosystem of apps and plugins.
Ultimately, the choice between Squarespace and Wix depends on your specific requirements. If you prioritize ease of use, design aesthetics, and integrated e-commerce features, Squarespace may be a suitable option. However, if you value greater customization options, flexibility, and an extensive app market, Wix might be a better fit. Consider your goals, desired features, and level of technical expertise when making a decision.
Website Builder Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some common questions about a website builder:
Conclusion: WordPress vs Showit vs Squarespace vs Wix
The best website platform for your business depends on your needs, budget, and technical expertise.
WordPress offers the most flexibility but requires more knowledge to set up and maintain. Showit provides design flexibility and integrates with WordPress for blogging. Squarespace has stylish pre-made templates with limited customization options. Wix is user-friendly and offers e-commerce capabilities.
Ultimately, the right platform comes down to what you need it to do and how much effort you’re willing to put into setting it up and maintaining it. Whichever platform you choose, make sure that its features meet your needs and that you have access to appropriate support resources.
We hope you found this guide comparing WordPress vs Showit vs Squarespace vs Wix helpful.
Let us know if you have any questions using the comments section below!
