Finding the best website platform for a small business shouldn’t feel like rocket science. As someone who’s built hundreds of small business websites, I’ll help you choose the perfect platform without the usual tech jargon and marketing fluff. Let’s break down exactly what each platform offers, what it really costs, and which one makes sense for your specific situation.
What we’re going to cover:
- 1 Quick Platform Comparison
- 2 WordPress: The Swiss Army Knife of Website Platforms
- 3 Wix: The Beginner-Friendly Website Builder
- 4 Shopify: The E-commerce Powerhouse
- 5 Custom Development: The Blank Canvas
- 6 How to Choose the Best Website Platform for a Small Business
- 7 Making Your Final Decision
- 8 Luminagency Recommends
Quick Platform Comparison
| Platform | Cost | Ease of Use | Customization | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | \$10-50/mo | Medium | High | Scalable Business |
| Wix | \$16-45/mo | High | Medium | Simple Sites |
| Shopify | \$29-299/mo | Medium | Medium | Online Stores |
| Custom | \$5000+ | Low | Very High | Unique Needs |
WordPress: The Swiss Army Knife of Website Platforms
The Real Deal with WordPress
WordPress powers about 43% of all websites for a reason. It’s like having a massive toolbox where you can find pretty much anything you need. But let’s be honest about what that means for your small business.
What’s Great:
- Unlimited customization options
- Huge plugin marketplace (59,000+ free plugins)
- SEO-friendly out of the box
- Can start small and scale huge
- You own everything (no platform lock-in)
What’s Not:
- Requires regular maintenance
- Can be overwhelming at first
- Quality hosting needed (\$10-50/month)
- Security needs attention
True Costs of WordPress
- Hosting: \$10-50/month
- Theme: \$0-100 (one-time)
- Essential Plugins: \$100-300/year
- Maintenance: \$50-200/month
Wix: The Beginner-Friendly Website Builder
Straight Talk About Wix
Wix is like having training wheels on your bike – great when you’re starting out, but you might outgrow them. It’s the best website platform for small business owners who want to get online quickly without technical headaches.
What’s Great:
- Super easy drag-and-drop editor
- All-in-one solution (hosting included)
- No technical skills needed
- Built-in security
- 24/7 support
What’s Not:
- Limited advanced features
- Can’t switch templates easily
- Less flexibility than WordPress
- Higher monthly costs for pro features
True Costs of Wix
- Basic Business: \$16/month
- Business VIP: \$45/month
- Apps: \$10-50/month
Shopify: The E-commerce Powerhouse
The Truth About Shopify
If you’re selling products online, Shopify is like having a retail store manager who never sleeps. It’s the best website platform for small business owners focused on e-commerce.
What’s Great:
- Built specifically for selling
- Handles payments seamlessly
- Great inventory management
- Solid security
- Built-in marketing tools
What’s Not:
- Transaction fees (unless using Shopify Payments)
- Can get expensive with apps
- Limited blog/content features
- Not great for non-commerce sites
True Costs of Shopify
- Basic Plan: \$29/month
- Standard Plan: \$79/month
- Advanced Plan: \$299/month
- Apps: \$50-200/month
- Transaction Fees: 2-2.9% + 30¢
Custom Development: The Blank Canvas
When to Consider Custom Development
Custom development is like having a suit tailored just for you. It’s perfect when you need something specific that other platforms can’t provide.
What’s Great:
- Unlimited possibilities
- Exactly what you need
- Better performance potential
- Unique functionality
What’s Not:
- Most expensive option
- Longest development time
- Ongoing maintenance needed
- Developer dependency
True Costs of Custom Development
- Initial Development: \$5,000-50,000+
- Hosting: \$50-200/month
- Maintenance: \$100-500/month
- Updates/Changes: \$100-150/hour
How to Choose the Best Website Platform for a Small Business
Choose Based on Your Business Type
Local Service Business
Best Choice: WordPress or Wix
If you’re a plumber, lawyer, or restaurant owner, you need something simple but professional. WordPress gives you room to grow, while Wix gets you online faster.
Online Store
Best Choice: Shopify or WooCommerce (WordPress)
Selling products? Shopify is your fastest path to sales. If you need more control, WooCommerce on WordPress is your best bet.
Professional Services
Best Choice: WordPress
For consultants, agencies, or financial services, WordPress offers the perfect balance of professionalism and flexibility.
Consider These Factors
- Budget: Include both setup and monthly costs
- Technical Skills: Be honest about what you can handle
- Growth Plans: Think 2-3 years ahead
- Time Available: Consider maintenance needs
- Features Needed: List must-haves vs nice-to-haves
Making Your Final Decision
The best website platform for your small business is the one that matches your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level. Don’t get caught up in what others are using – focus on what works for you.
Quick Platform Recommendations
- Choose WordPress if: You want maximum flexibility and don’t mind some technical learning
- Choose Wix if: You want something simple and don’t need complex features
- Choose Shopify if: Your main focus is selling products online
- Choose Custom if: You need specific features that other platforms don’t offer
Luminagency Recommends
We’re somewhat biased, but use WordPress for everything. Here’s why:
- The plaform and decent themes are actually free.
Once you have hosting, WordPress should be free to use and there are literally hundreds of great looking themes. - You can start small and add when you are ready
You can start with the most basic of sites and simply add what you need, when you need it. This helps you get the basic site built fast and you don’t have to know everything to get started. Now you can create that ecommerce site next year without having to start over. - Its very well known
If you ever switch developers, it’s super easy to find someone who knows it well. With fully custom themes and oddball platforms, you’ll pay a premium for someone who can figure out what the last person did. - There’s (almost) nothing you can’t do on a WordPress site.
You may have to pay for better themes and specialized plugins but for whatever you’re trying to do, someone has solved that problem before and that solution is available to you. - There’s a big company keeping it all running smooth.
From keeping compliant with the latest Internet changes, to fixing bug and stopping hackers from eating your site, there’s an army of paid and volunteer developers who keep WordPress running 24/7
Need help choosing the right platform for your business? Let’s talk about your specific needs and find the perfect fit.