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Which Website Platform Is Right for You?




Jun 18, 2025 | Written by: patty | Mood : Chill 😎 | Listening to : The Unapologetic Designer Podcast - latest episode 6/13/25

llustration of a desktop setup with platform logos like WordPress, Showit, Squarespace, Webflow, Wix Studio, and Framer — representing website options for modern businesses.

Which Website Platform Is Right for You?

If you're preparing to build a new website or rebrand—whether you're working with a designer now or planning to hire one soon—one of the biggest early decisions you'll face is which platform your site will live on.

This post is here to help you understand your options—especially if you’re a therapist, fitness coach, wellness brand, or service-based entrepreneur handing your site over to a professional.

Sure, maybe you’ve dabbled in DIY before (👋 we’ve all been there), but this time you want your site done right—and built to last. Knowing what each platform offers can help you choose one that fits your business now and gives you room to grow later.

Even most web designers use platforms like Showit, Squarespace, Webflow, or WordPress — not because they can’t code from scratch, but because these tools offer flexibility, creative freedom, and speed while keeping your site in a reasonable budget range.
Fully custom-coded websites are incredible… but that’s a different level of investment (and a different post entirely).

This post will walk you through the most popular platforms I work with as a designer—pros, cons, ideal use cases, and what to keep in mind before choosing one.

WordPress

Who it’s for: Growing teams, businesses with big content plans, and anyone wanting maximum flexibility
Price: Free to start—but expect hosting ($10–$40/mo), themes, plugins, and ongoing maintenance. Why it’s great: Nearly 40% of the web runs on WordPress. Need to scale? Add custom functionality? SEO optimization? It can do all that. The catch: It’s powerful—but powerful things need care. Monthly logins, plugin updates, and security maintenance are non-negotiable. Real talk: I love her. I’ll go into why in a future post. But for now? Just know she’s not always the best fit for everyone. And that’s okay.

Showit

Who it’s for: Creatives, coaches, photographers, and service pros who want brand-first websites
Price: $19–$39/month
Why it’s great: Full visual design control—drag-and-drop your dream site with zero code. Bonus: it pairs with WordPress for blog power. The catch: SEO isn’t plug-and-play; integrations can be limited. But it’s all still totally doable. Real talk: If you're after style that looks custom without the drama—this one’s a vibe.

Squarespace

Who it’s for: Small business owners, therapists, fitness studios, artists, and anyone wanting sleek simplicity
Price: $16–$49/month
Why it’s great: Clean templates, everything built-in (hosting, SSL, e-comm, blog). Set it and forget it. The catch: less layout flexibility. Want a custom tweak? It might cost a developer. Real talk: Perfect if you want something that just works — no stress, no drama.

Wix Studio

Who it’s for: Freelancers, small agencies, personal brands leaning into design control
Price: From ~$16/month
Why it’s great: Better responsive controls than classic Wix, with pro design options and client-friendly tools. The catch: Still can feel bloated—and SEO features are catching up. Real talk: If you want more design power but don’t need Webflow energy—this is your sweet spot.

Webflow

Who it’s for: Designers, startups, tech-savvy entrepreneurs, or passionate DIYers
Price: $14–$39/month
Why it’s great: Total control—layouts, animations, structure, CMS. All without plugins. The catch: Real learning curve. Best with a designer (👋) or someone who enjoys being up late watching Webflow tutorials. Real talk: Want cutting-edge, interactive design without building the backend? Webflow’s the one.

Framer

Who it’s for: Portfolio creators, style-forward agencies, bulletproof design lovers
Price: Free to $30/month
Why it’s great: Feels like Figma + instant publishing. Sleek and fast. The catch: Not built for large CMS or plug-heavy needs… yet. Real talk: If you want a sharp, modern site that loads fast and looks next level, give it a spin.

Selling Products

If you're selling just a few items or services, most platforms will work great. Squarespace, Wix Studio, Webflow, and even Showit (when paired with tools like Thrivecart, Shopify Lite, or PayPal buttons) can support simple e-commerce needs.

Selling courses, subscriptions, or coaching?
Platforms like Kajabi are built specifically for that—think landing pages, email marketing, gated content, and digital products—but they come with a higher monthly investment (starting at $149/month).

Need a full online store?
If you're planning to run a full-blown shop—with inventory, collections, multiple products, customer accounts, and shipping—Shopify is one of the best all-in-one platforms out there. It's built specifically for e-commerce and handles everything from payments to shipping integrations.

Or want more flexibility and control?
WordPress with WooCommerce gives you deep customization, especially if your store needs to do more than just list and sell products. But keep in mind: with great power comes great responsibility—you'll need to stay on top of updates, backups, and plugins.

Don’t Skip This: What You’re Still Responsible For (Even With a Designer)

Okay, let’s say you’ve picked your platform, you’re vibing with your designer, and the mood board is giving ✨all the right energy.✨

But—real talk—outside of your designer’s fees, there are still some things you as the website owner, are responsible for.

That includes:

  • Your platform subscription (Squarespace, Showit, Webflow, etc.)
  • Domain purchase + renewal (usually yearly)
  • Hosting (if you’re using WordPress)
  • Paid plugins or tools (SEO, schedulers, forms, e-comm integrations)

Pro Tip:
Create a dedicated business email address—something like ⁣—and `connect everything (accounts, logins, billing) to it. You’ll thank yourself later if you ever change designers or add someone new to your team.

Also, read your contract. Depending on your designer or agency, things like intellectual property, payment plans, or platform-specific access might come with clauses. Know what’s yours, what’s licensed, and what happens if you pause or switch platforms later on.

The more organized and informed you are, the smoother the project—and your ongoing website life — will be.

Final Words

Your website should work with your business—not against it.

Know what your site needs to do before you pick a platform. Think about:

  • How often you'll make edits
  • How much maintenance you can handle (or pay for)
  • Your growth plans (blog, shop, booking, content, courses)

Got questions?
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
Click here to fill out my inquiry form and tell me a bit about your business — I’ll guide you through the rest.

Because choosing your platform doesn’t have to be a stress spiral — it can be empowering, even fun.

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I'm Patty, the creative behind Creativepea — where thoughtful design meets strategic storytelling. I help wellness-focused entrepreneurs build brands and websites that look beautiful and work beautifully. Whether you’re DIY-ing or dreaming big, this blog is here to demystify the tech, spark ideas, and keep things real as you grow online with clarity and confidence.