Which DIY Website Platform should I use?

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About the website platforms

The best website platform for your business depends on your specific needs, such as functionality, ease of use, design preferences, scalability, and budget. Most businesses need a platform that supports visual content, integrates with social media, and is easy to manage. Here’s a breakdown of popular DIY (Do-It-Yourself) platforms for your type of business:

1. Wix

  • Best For: Creative flexibility, user-friendly design, and small businesses needing quick setup.
  • Pros:
    • Drag-and-drop editor with high customizability.
    • Excellent templates for real estate and video-based content.
    • Built-in marketing tools like SEO, email campaigns, and social sharing.
    • Affordable pricing.
  • Cons:
    • Limited scalability for very large websites.
    • Some SEO restrictions for advanced users
    • Advanced marketing techniques are limited.

2. Squarespace

  • Best For: Visually stunning designs and multimedia integration.
  • Pros:
    • Gorgeous, modern templates ideal for showcasing properties.
    • Excellent tools for embedding video content
    • Simple blogging features 
    • Built-in SEO and marketing tools.
  • Cons:
    • Limited flexibility compared to others.
    • A steeper learning curve than Wix.

3. WordPress.com (or WordPress.org for self-hosting)

  • Best For: Highly customizable and scalable websites.
  • Pros:
    • Thousands of themes and plugins available for all types of businesses
    • Great SEO and analytics capabilities.
    • Ability to add complex features as your business grows
    • Add on Elementor (free plugin) and Elementor Pro (minimal cost per year) for easy drag and drop page building
    • Add on WooCommerce for simple stores 
  • Cons:
    • More technical; requires maintenance (especially WordPress.org).
    • Hosting fees if self-hosted. However these costs are very small.

4. Shopify 

  • Best For: Selling additional products or services
  • Pros:
    • Integrated e-commerce features.
    • Simple setup and marketing integrations.
    • Much easier now than ever before
  • Cons:
    • Focuses more on e-commerce, so might lack specialized tools needed by other businesses.

5. Webflow

  • Best For: Advanced custom design and interactivity without coding.
  • Pros:
    • Unmatched design flexibility.
    • Great for SEO and marketing.
    • Can handle complex animations and interactivity.
  • Cons:
    • Requires time to learn.
    • Costs can add up with advanced features.

6. GoDaddy Website Builder

  • Best For: Beginners needing simplicity and quick launches.
  • Pros:
    • Extremely easy to use.
    • Includes hosting and domain services in one package.
    • Affordable for smaller-scale sites.
  • Cons:
    • Basic designs and limited customization.
    • Not recommended long term

Weebly (Free Plan)

  • Key Features:

    • Drag-and-drop builder.
    • Free SSL security.
    • Basic e-commerce functionality (up to 5 products).
    • Free Weebly subdomain (e.g., yourname.weebly.com).

  • Pros:

    • Beginner-friendly with an intuitive interface.
    • Offers basic online store features on the free plan.
    • Responsive design for mobile optimization.

  • Cons:

    • Limited customization compared to competitors.
    • Displays Weebly ads.
    • Storage capped at 500 MB.

Google Sites

  • Key Features:

    • Simple drag-and-drop interface.
    • Seamless integration with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
    • Free hosting and subdomain (e.g., sites.google.com/view/yourname).

  • Pros:

    • Completely free with no ads.
    • Perfect for intranets, simple business sites, or portfolios.
    • Reliable performance with Google’s hosting.

  • Cons:

    • Limited design options.
    • No advanced features like e-commerce or SEO tools.
    • Not suitable for professional branding.

6. Canva (Website Builder)

  • Key Features:

    • Drag-and-drop design.
    • Templates optimized for small websites or portfolios.
    • Free Canva subdomain (e.g., yourname.my.canva.site).

  • Pros:

    • Great for visually appealing, creative websites.
    • Ideal for small businesses or portfolios.
    • Easy integration with Canva’s design tools.

  • Cons:

    • Limited functionality for large websites or e-commerce.
    • No advanced customization.

Pros of Free Platforms

  • No upfront costs, perfect for testing ideas.
  • User-friendly interfaces for non-technical users.
  • Basic features sufficient for personal or small business sites.

Cons of Free Platforms

  • Subdomains and ads reduce professionalism.
  • Limited storage, bandwidth, and customization.
  • No advanced features like e-commerce, SEO, or integrations without upgrading.

Choosing the right platform for your business

Choosing the right platform for your business is a crucial decision that can impact your brand’s visibility, customer engagement, and overall growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you decide which platform aligns with your business needs:

1. Define Your Business Goals

Ask yourself:

  • What is the primary purpose of your website? (e.g., lead generation, showcasing properties, selling products, sharing content).
  • Do you need advanced features like IDX/MLS integration for real estate, e-commerce for product sales, or blogging for audience engagement?

2. Evaluate Your Budget

  • Free platforms are great for testing ideas but may not project a professional image.
  • Paid plans offer custom domains, advanced features, and no ads, usually ranging from $10-$30/month for basic business needs.

3. Assess Key Features

Look for platforms with features that suit your business:

  • Real Estate: IDX/MLS integration, property listing tools, and contact forms.
  • Video Content: High-quality media support and seamless embedding options.
  • E-commerce: Shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory management.
  • SEO: Built-in tools for local search optimization.

4. Consider User Experience

  • Do you need a platform that’s beginner-friendly?
  • Do you prefer more control over design and functionality?

Recommendations for Ease of Use:

  • Wix: Drag-and-drop simplicity with templates for real estate and e-commerce.
  • Squarespace: Stunning designs with multimedia focus.

Recommendations for Scalability:

  • WordPress.org: Full customization for advanced users.
  • Webflow: Sophisticated design control for growing businesses.

5. Check Integration Options

Ensure the platform supports:

  • Social media channels
  • Email marketing tools (like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign).
  • Real estate-specific tools (like CRM or property databases).

6. Test Responsiveness

Your website must look great and function well on mobile devices. Most platforms offer mobile-friendly templates, but check this feature before committing.

Platform Recommendations for Your Business

  • Wix: Best for all-in-one simplicity and creative freedom. Ideal for showcasing properties and embedding videos.
  • WordPress.com or .org: Great for scalability and advanced features like property integrations or e-commerce
  • Squarespace: Perfect for visual storytelling and video content
  • Shopify: Best for selling products.

Pro Tip

Start with a platform that matches your immediate needs and allows room for growth. For example:

  • Use Wix or Squarespace to create stunning, functional websites quickly.
  • Transition to WordPress if you need more advanced customization as your business scales.

Wasting time and money choosing and then setting up the wrong choice for your business is something that happens far too often. Please reach out for a complimentary, zero obligation chat about your needs.

Check out my videos showing you a behind the scenes look at many of these common platforms

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