WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace: The Honest Guide
Need a website for your business? Then you've probably heard of WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. But which one should you choose?
As a WordPress developer, I could just say "choose WordPress" – but the truth is more nuanced. Each platform has its strengths, and the right choice depends on your needs.
Quick recommendation
- Want full control and growth potential? → WordPress
- Want it as easy as possible? → Wix
- Want beautiful design without hassle? → Squarespace
Overview: The Three Platforms
| Aspect | WordPress | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Share | 43% of all websites | 2.5% | 2% |
| Ease of Use | Medium | Easy | Easy |
| Flexibility | Unlimited | Limited | Limited |
| Starting Price | ~$50-100/year | ~$120/year | ~$140/year |
| Portable? | Yes | No | No |
| E-commerce | WooCommerce (free) | Extra payment | Extra payment |
| SEO Options | Full control | Limited | Limited |
WordPress: The Flexible Choice
WordPress powers 43% of all websites on the internet – from small blogs to giants like BBC and Sony.
Advantages of WordPress
Full Ownership
You own your website and can move it to any hosting. No vendor lock-in.
Unlimited Flexibility
Over 60,000 plugins. Can be built for anything from blog to complex e-commerce.
Better SEO
Full control over technical SEO, schema markup, and site structure.
Lower Ongoing Costs
Hosting from ~$50/year. No percentage of sales for e-commerce.
Professional Look
No "Made with Wix" or similar branding.
Disadvantages of WordPress
- Requires more to set up and maintain
- You're responsible for security and updates
- May require technical help for advanced things
WordPress' "disadvantages" disappear if you have a good partner to help. With a service agreement, you get the benefits without the hassle.
Wix: The Easy Choice
Wix is built to be as easy as possible. Drag-and-drop editor, ready templates, and hosting included.
Advantages of Wix
- Extremely easy – You can have a site ready in an hour
- All-in-one – Hosting, domain, email in one package
- No maintenance – Wix handles everything technical
- ADI – AI that can build the site for you
Disadvantages of Wix
- Vendor lock-in – You CANNOT move your site away from Wix
- Limited SEO – Less control over technical SEO elements
- Gets more expensive – Price increases when you need more features
- Slow – Wix sites are generally slower than WordPress
- Branding – Free version has Wix ads
The biggest problem with Wix is that you can't move your site. If you ever want to switch, you have to rebuild everything elsewhere.
Squarespace: The Beautiful Choice
Squarespace is known for its beautiful, designed templates. Popular among creatives and portfolio sites.
Advantages of Squarespace
- Beautiful templates – Professional design out-of-the-box
- Easy to use – Intuitive editor (better than Wix in my opinion)
- Great for portfolios – Perfect for photographers, artists, creatives
- Included hosting – Solid and fast
Disadvantages of Squarespace
- Limited flexibility – You're locked to their templates
- More expensive than WordPress – Especially for e-commerce
- Vendor lock-in – Like Wix, you can't move
- Fewer integrations – Not as many third-party tools
Price Comparison (Annual Cost)
Simple Website (5-10 pages)
| Platform | First Year | Following Years |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | $60-120 | $60-120 |
| Wix | $120 | $120 |
| Squarespace | $144 | $144 |
E-commerce
| Platform | First Year | Following Years | Transaction Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress + WooCommerce | $80-150 | $80-150 | 0% |
| Wix Business | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Squarespace Commerce | $324 | $324 | 0-3% |
WordPress is cheapest in the long run, especially for e-commerce where you avoid transaction fees.
SEO Comparison
If being found on Google is important, there's a big difference:
WordPress SEO (★★★★★)
- Full control over everything
- Advanced SEO plugins (SEOPress, Rank Math, Yoast)
- Custom schema markup
- Fast pages with proper optimization
- Complete control over URL structure
Wix SEO (★★★☆☆)
- Basic SEO features
- Limited control over technical elements
- Pages are often slow (bad for rankings)
- Better than before, but still limited
Squarespace SEO (★★★☆☆)
- Similar limitations as Wix
- Good basic features
- Automatic sitemap and SSL
- Limited customization
When to Choose Which?
Choose WordPress if:
- You want full control over your website
- SEO and Google visibility is important
- You plan to grow or expand functionality
- You want an e-commerce store without transaction fees
- You want to own your website (not rent)
Choose Wix if:
- You want the absolute easiest
- You have a very small budget to start
- Your website is simple and rarely changes
- You have no plans to switch platforms
Choose Squarespace if:
- You're creative and want a beautiful portfolio
- Design is more important than functionality
- You don't need many integrations
- You prefer Squarespace's editor over Wix
My Honest Recommendation
For professional businesses, I always recommend WordPress.
Why?
- Ownership – You own your website, not the platform
- Flexibility – WordPress can grow with your business
- SEO – Significantly better options for being found
- Economy – Cheaper in the long run, especially with e-commerce
- No limitations – You can build exactly what you need
Wix and Squarespace are fine for hobby projects or temporary sites. But for a business that will be online for many years, WordPress is the safe choice.
The biggest mistake I see: People choose Wix because it's "easiest," and discover 2-3 years later that they're locked in and must start over with WordPress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress hard to use?
No, modern WordPress with a good page builder (like Bricks or Elementor) is just as easy as Wix. It requires a bit more setup, but daily use is simple.
Can I build a WordPress site myself?
Yes, but it takes time to learn. Alternatively, you can have a professional build the site and maintain the content yourself afterward.
What if I already have a Wix site?
You can migrate to WordPress, but it requires rebuilding the site. It's often worth it for businesses that want better SEO and more flexibility.
Is WordPress secure?
Yes, when set up correctly. WordPress runs 43% of all websites – security is about good maintenance, not the platform itself.
How much does it cost to have a WordPress site built?
A professional WordPress website typically costs $1,200-2,500. It's more expensive than building yourself on Wix, but you get a better, faster, and more flexible solution.
Conclusion
- WordPress is best for businesses that want control, flexibility, and good SEO
- Wix is easiest to get started with, but locks you in
- Squarespace has the most beautiful templates for creatives
My advice: Think long-term. What's cheapest and easiest today isn't necessarily best in 3-5 years.
Considering WordPress but don't know where to start? Contact me for a no-obligation chat about your options.
