When you sit down to design your website, it might not be clear which website builder to use. After searching, “site making websites,” you probably still have questions about which one is right for your specific situation. How do you know which website platform won’t make your team groan when it’s time to make content updates?

For small businesses, career transitioners, athletes, and executive coaches, choosing the right platform could mean money, time, and frustrations saved over the long run. This blog post explores the pros and cons of 3 popular web builder platforms. My hope is to help you determine the best web builder for your skills and experience.

WordPress

WordPress Pros

Flexibility and Customization

WordPress is highly customizable, offering thousands of themes and plugins to tailor your site to your exact needs. This is beneficial for executive coaches and therapists who need specific functionalities, such as booking systems or client portals.

SEO-Friendly

WordPress is known for its strong SEO capabilities, with numerous plugins like Yoast SEO to help optimize your site. This can help career transitioners and job seekers improve their visibility to potential employers.

Scalability

WordPress can handle anything from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce site. This makes it ideal for small businesses and athletes looking to expand their online presence over time.

WordPress Cons

Learning Curve

WordPress can be intimidating for beginners due to its complexity and wide range of options. This might not be ideal for those who want a quick and easy setup without technical hassle.

Maintenance

This is a big one! Regular updates and maintenance are required to keep the site secure and running smoothly. This can be time-consuming and may require technical know-how. If an update breaks your site, do you have someone who can fix it for you?

Is WordPress Right for You?

WordPress might be right for you if:

  • You plan to make edits, add new pages and blog posts several times in a quarter
  • You have a web designer or team member skilled in WordPress who can maintain the website for you
  • You plan to scale and grow your website over time

Wix

Wix Pros

Ease of Use

Wix is known for its drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for anyone to build a website without coding knowledge. This is perfect for job seekers and career transitioners who need a quick and professional-looking site.

Design Templates

Wix offers a wide variety of beautifully designed templates that can be customized to fit your brand. This is beneficial for athletes and executive coaches who want a visually appealing site to showcase their achievements and services.

All-in-One Solution

Wix provides hosting, domain registration, and even marketing tools, making it a convenient all-in-one solution for small businesses and therapists.

Wix Cons

Limited Customization

While Wix is easy to use, it doesn’t offer the same level of customization as WordPress. This can be a drawback for those needing more advanced features or specific integrations.

SEO Limitations

Although Wix has improved its SEO capabilities, it still falls short compared to WordPress. This might be a concern for those looking to maximize their search engine visibility.

Is Wix Right for You?

Wix might be right for you if:

  • You plan to have a small to medium sized website
  • You need a simple web builder that your team can manage without a lot of technical skill
  • You need a good all-in-one website package

Strikingly

Strikingly Pros

Simplicity

Strikingly is designed for simplicity, allowing users to create beautiful one-page websites quickly. This is ideal for career transitioners, job seekers, and therapists who need a quick, straightforward online presence. An online shop and checkout options are included with their smallest website package.

Mobile Optimization

Strikingly ensures that all websites are mobile-friendly, which is crucial for reaching a broader audience. This is beneficial for athletes and executive coaches who want their site to look good on any device.

Affordable

Strikingly offers affordable pricing plans, making it a cost-effective choice for individuals and small businesses on a budget.

Strikingly Cons

Limited Features

Strikingly is great for simple websites, but it lacks the advanced features and flexibility of WordPress and Wix. This can be a limitation for small businesses and executive coaches who need more robust functionality.

Customization Constraints

The customization options are limited compared to other platforms. This might not be suitable for those wanting a unique and highly tailored website.

Is Strikingly Right for You?

Strikingly might be right for you if:

  • You need a quick and easy, simple one page website
  • You plan to manage your website on your own with low technical skills
  • You need an all-in-one website hosting package that includes a checkout feature
  • You don’t plan to scale your website much more than a few pages

Finding the Best Site Making Websites

Choosing the right platform for site making websites depends on your specific needs and technical proficiency. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

WordPress is ideal for those who need extensive customization, scalability, and strong SEO capabilities but are prepared to handle a steeper learning curve and ongoing maintenance.

Wix offers an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution with beautiful design templates, perfect for those who want a professional-looking site quickly without delving into technical details.

Strikingly is the go-to for individuals and small businesses needing a simple, mobile-friendly one-page website on a budget, but it may not suffice for those requiring advanced features and customization.

These platforms provide various options to create an effective online presence. Talk with me if you would like help building your website. I have experience with all three platforms (see my web design portfolio!) and can help you build an attractive site that meets your goals.