Which platform should you pick for your first website?
You’re ready to build a site but the options feel overwhelming. wordpress is the name you hear most, but there are other platforms that might match your needs better. This article breaks down the differences in plain language and helps you pick based on what you want to do.
Quick explanation: What WordPress actually is
WordPress comes in two flavors. One is the hosted service (WordPress.com) , it’s like renting a ready-made website. The other is the self-hosted software (WordPress.org) , you download it and run it on a web host you choose. When most people say “WordPress” they mean the self-hosted version because it’s powerful and flexible.
Key strengths of WordPress (self-hosted)
- Huge library of plugins and themes for almost any feature or look.
- Strong community and tons of tutorials for beginners.
- Works for blogs, business sites, portfolios, and complex projects.
- Full control over hosting, data, and customization.
Main downsides to expect
- Requires setup: hosting, domain, and installation (many hosts offer one-click installs).
- Maintenance: updates for core, themes, and plugins , you or your host handle security and backups.
- Performance and security depend on choices you make (hosting, plugins, caching).
Alternatives at a glance
Below are common choices beginners consider. I’ll list the platform, what it’s good at, and why you might pick it over WordPress.
Wix
- What it’s good at: Drag-and-drop site building, beginner-friendly setup, hosting included.
- Why choose it: If you want something fast to build without dealing with hosting or technical updates.
- Limitations: Less flexibility than WordPress for custom features and migrating off the platform can be tricky.
Squarespace
- What it’s good at: Polished templates and consistent design, strong for portfolios and small business sites.
- Why choose it: You want a beautiful site with minimal fuss and are okay paying a monthly fee.
- Limitations: Fewer integrations and less plugin-like flexibility than WordPress.
Shopify
- What it’s good at: e-commerce, inventory management, payment processing built-in.
- Why choose it: If your main goal is selling products and you want a tuned, reliable store experience.
- Limitations: Costs can add up with apps and transaction fees. Not ideal if the site isn’t mainly a store.
Webflow
- What it’s good at: Visual design control, clean responsive layouts, and hosting included.
- Why choose it: If you want design freedom without coding and prefer a modern editing experience.
- Limitations: Has a learning curve for people new to design concepts; more expensive for complex sites.
Ghost
- What it’s good at: blogging and publications with fast performance and a simple editor.
- Why choose it: If your main focus is content and speed, with fewer distractions than WordPress.
- Limitations: Fewer plugins and templates; better suited to content sites than full-featured business portals.
joomla and drupal
- What they’re good at: Powerful, flexible CMSs for complex sites and custom workflows.
- Why choose them: When you need advanced user permissions or highly customized content structures.
- Limitations: Steeper learning curve; smaller theme/plugin ecosystems compared with WordPress.
Static site generators & headless CMS (Hugo, Jekyll, Contentful, Strapi)
- What they’re good at: Performance, security, and developer control. Great for tech-savvy users and sites that don’t need dynamic features.
- Why choose them: If you’re comfortable with code and want faster pages with fewer server needs.
- Limitations: Not beginner-friendly; content editing and setup require developer tools.
How to choose: match platform to your goal
Here’s a quick decision guide. Pick the line that fits your project most closely.
- blog or content-first site: WordPress or Ghost.
- Small business brochure site without technical hassle: Squarespace or Wix.
- online store: Shopify for ease, WordPress + woocommerce for control.
- portfolio or creative site with design control: Webflow or Squarespace.
- Large, custom web application: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or a headless approach depending on developer skills.
- Fast, secure static site: Hugo or Jekyll with a headless CMS for editing.
Cost and ongoing work
Costs break down into setup and ongoing expenses. Hosted builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) bundle hosting and keep updates invisible to you , you pay a monthly fee. Self-hosted WordPress has low entry cost (cheap hosting and free software) but you’ll likely pay for premium themes, plugins, and possibly maintenance or security services.
Practical tips for beginners
- Start small: build a simple site first and expand features as needed.
- Try the free tiers or trials: most builders let you test before spending.
- Think about data portability: if you might leave the platform later, check how easy exporting content is.
- Prioritize hosting and backups: for self-hosted WordPress, choose a host with automated backups and easy restores.
- Keep plugins lean: too many plugins slow the site and increase maintenance.
Common beginner mistakes
- Choosing a platform only because it’s popular, not because it fits the project’s needs.
- Underestimating ongoing costs like premium themes, plugins, or transaction fees.
- Ignoring security basics: updates, secure passwords, and backups.
- Picking a host solely on price , very cheap hosting can cause slow load times and frequent issues.
Final summary
WordPress is flexible and widely supported, making it a strong all-around choice especially if you want control and expansion options. Hosted builders like Wix and Squarespace simplify setup and maintenance, which is great if you want speed and minimal technical work. Shopify handles e-commerce best out of the box. Tools like Webflow and Ghost focus on design and content quality, while static site generators and headless CMSs suit developers and performance-focused projects.
Choose based on your goals: ease-of-use, budget, control, or performance. If you’re unsure, start with a simple hosted option or a basic WordPress site and iterate from there.
