Best Website Platforms for Small Businesses (Wix vs WordPress vs Custom)

For many small business owners choosing the right website platform feels overwhelming. With so many options available it is easy to lose time comparing costs, features and how flexible each system might be. The three most common solutions are Wix, WordPress and custom-built websites. Each one has advantages and drawbacks depending on your goals and how far you want to grow.

Wix: Simple and Affordable

Wix is a drag and drop builder that makes it possible to create a website without coding knowledge. This appeals to small businesses that need a fast and simple way to get online.

The main advantages are the ease of use, affordable subscription plans and the fact that hosting is built in. The disadvantages are that flexibility is limited and growth can be difficult once your business needs more advanced features. Wix is suitable for small cafés, trades and community services that want a clean digital presence without ongoing technical management.

WordPress: Flexible and Scalable

WordPress is the most widely used website platform in the world. It has a huge library of plugins and themes that allow you to customise every part of your site. This flexibility makes it a strong choice for small businesses that want to expand and add features over time.

Advantages include almost unlimited customisation, strong SEO tools and scalability. A well built WordPress site has a higher chance of ranking well in Google search results. The disadvantages are the learning curve and the fact that hosting and plugin updates must be managed. WordPress is the best choice if you want to grow traffic through content marketing and SEO or if you want control over the look and function of your site.

Custom Websites: Tailored for Your Business

A custom-built website is designed from the ground up by a professional developer. This option is usually chosen by businesses that need unique branding, complex features or systems that cannot be delivered by a template.

The advantages are a completely unique design and features built exactly for your needs. The disadvantages are higher upfront costs and longer development times. A custom website is the right choice for established businesses that view their website as a core part of operations and want to stand out in a competitive market.

Making the Right Choice

Each platform suits a different stage of business. Wix gives you simplicity, WordPress gives you flexibility and custom websites give you uniqueness. Before making your decision think about how quickly you need to launch, how much you want to invest and how you see your business growing over the next three to five years. The correct choice is not just about today but also about your long-term success.

At Solis Web Tech I build websites that grow with your business. My website packages include design, SEO and support so you can focus on running your business while I handle the tech.