In the U.S., having a website is a must for entrepreneurs. With over 70% of small businesses already online, choosing the right platform is crucial. Three popular options to build your website are Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify. Each offers unique features tailored to different needs:
- Wix: Best for beginners who want control over design. Plans start at $16/month.
- Squarespace: Ideal for sleek, professional designs. Pricing starts at $16/month.
- Shopify: Perfect for e-commerce with powerful tools. Starts at $29/month.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Design flexibility | $16/month | Drag-and-drop editor, 2,500+ templates |
| Squarespace | Visual appeal & branding | $16/month | Polished templates, integrated e-commerce |
| Shopify | Online stores & scalability | $29/month | Advanced e-commerce tools, multi-channel sales |
Pick the one that aligns with your business goals and technical comfort level.
1. Wix
Wix makes website building accessible with its drag-and-drop interface, allowing entrepreneurs to create professional sites without needing any coding knowledge. Its user-friendly editor is designed for those who want to build a site quickly and easily.
Customization
Wix gives you plenty of options to tailor your website to your vision. With a library of over 800 templates – more than 300 of which are free – you’re likely to find one that suits your industry and personal style. The drag-and-drop editor lets you place text, images, buttons, and other elements exactly where you want them, offering complete creative control. If you have coding skills, Wix also supports CSS and HTML for further customization. However, keep in mind that switching templates later means starting from scratch, as your content won’t transfer automatically.
E-commerce Features
Wix comes equipped with a solid e-commerce toolkit to support online businesses. You can manage up to 50,000 products, whether they’re physical or digital. Built-in tools handle order processing, customer management, and provide detailed sales analytics. Wix also enables multichannel selling, letting you connect with customers through social media and popular marketplaces. For in-person sales, the platform integrates with Wix POS. Shipping options are flexible, offering free shipping, local delivery, or customized rules. Additionally, apps like Spocket and Modalyst are available for dropshipping, though the selection isn’t as extensive as what you’d find on platforms dedicated to e-commerce.
Pricing
Wix offers a free plan, which is great for testing the platform, but it includes Wix branding and limited features. For a polished and professional site, you’ll need a paid plan. Basic website plans start at around $16–$17 per month, while e-commerce plans, like the Business Basic plan at $27 per month, include features such as online payments and extra storage.
| Plan Type | Monthly Price (USD) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Wix branding, limited features |
| Combo | $16–$17 | Custom domain, no Wix ads, basic site features |
| Unlimited | $22–$27 | More storage, advanced analytics |
| Business Basic | $27 | E-commerce capabilities, online payments, more storage |
| Business Unlimited | $32 | Advanced e-commerce, subscriptions, additional storage |
As your business grows, you may need to factor in costs for premium apps or extra storage. Now, let’s explore how Squarespace compares in terms of design features.
2. Squarespace
Squarespace takes a design-focused approach to help users build a standout online presence. With more than 180 professionally crafted templates, the platform prioritizes visually appealing websites that look polished right from the start. Instead of offering extensive customization options, Squarespace zeroes in on sleek design and straightforward functionality.
Customization
Squarespace provides a guided editor that simplifies the customization process. You can easily tweak layouts, fonts, colors, and images using its user-friendly interface, ensuring a cohesive and professional look. For users with coding expertise, there’s an option to add custom CSS, though the platform’s coding flexibility is somewhat limited.
Now, let’s explore Squarespace’s e-commerce capabilities.
E-commerce Features
While Squarespace is known for its design, it also includes a solid suite of e-commerce tools. It’s well-suited for small to mid-sized online stores, offering features like product management, digital downloads, inventory tracking, and integrated payment processing. Popular payment options such as Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay are supported, making it easy for U.S.-based customers to pay in dollars.
The checkout experience is smooth and includes helpful features like discount codes, abandoned cart recovery (available with higher-tier plans), and sales analytics. For businesses in the U.S., Squarespace also provides tools for shipping rate calculations and tax compliance, further simplifying the e-commerce process.
Pricing
Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial, though it doesn’t have a completely free plan.
| Plan | Monthly Price (USD) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Personal | $16 | Basic website tools, SSL, unlimited bandwidth |
| Business | $23 | E-commerce tools, advanced analytics, promotional pop-ups |
| Commerce Basic | $27 | No transaction fees, point-of-sale tools, advanced e-commerce features |
| Commerce Advanced | $49 | Advanced shipping options, discounts, abandoned cart recovery |
If you choose monthly billing instead of annual, the rates are slightly higher. Squarespace’s pricing strikes a balance between affordability and premium features, making it a great option for entrepreneurs looking for polished, professional results.
When evaluating Squarespace, think about whether its design-first approach and built-in tools fit your business goals and priorities.
3. Shopify
Shopify is a platform designed to help entrepreneurs grow their online stores. It currently powers over 4.4 million active websites, supporting businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises.
Brands like Gymshark and Allbirds highlight Shopify’s ability to drive growth through tools like inventory management, multi-channel sales integration, and marketing features.
Customization
Shopify provides over 900 professionally designed templates tailored for online selling. Its built-in theme editor allows users to tweak colors, fonts, and layouts. For those seeking advanced changes, knowledge of Liquid (Shopify’s templating language) is required. While Shopify’s customization options may not match the flexibility of drag-and-drop builders, its ecosystem of over 13,000 integrations compensates for this limitation. This extensive range of tools makes Shopify a robust choice for online sellers.
E-commerce Features
Shopify stands out for its robust suite of e-commerce tools. These include product and inventory management, support for multiple payment gateways (like Shopify Payments, PayPal, and credit cards), automated shipping and tax calculations, abandoned cart recovery, discount code creation, and detailed analytics.
The platform also excels in multi-channel selling, enabling seamless integration with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. For in-person sales, Shopify offers a point-of-sale (POS) system.
For U.S.-based businesses, Shopify Payments eliminates extra transaction fees, with standard credit card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢ for the Basic plan. However, using external payment gateways adds a 2% fee.
Shopify also integrates marketing and SEO tools directly into the platform. Features like customizable meta tags, sitemaps, clean URLs, and email marketing integrations are all included. Additionally, Shopify has introduced AI tools to simplify tasks like writing product descriptions and editing images, further streamlining the user experience.
Pricing
Shopify doesn’t offer a free plan but provides a 3-day free trial that doesn’t require a credit card. Its pricing plans cater specifically to e-commerce businesses:
| Plan | Monthly Price (USD) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29 | Unlimited products, basic reports, 24/7 support, 2 staff accounts |
| Shopify | $79 | Professional reports, better shipping discounts, 5 staff accounts |
| Advanced | $299 | Advanced reporting, third-party shipping rates, 15 staff accounts |
While Shopify’s plans are on the premium side, they are designed to support scalability and growth. However, additional costs may arise from paid themes, apps, or transaction fees if Shopify Payments isn’t used.
In 2023, Shopify merchants generated over $197 billion in global economic activity. With an expert rating of 4.6/5, Shopify continues to be a leading choice for businesses looking for comprehensive e-commerce solutions.
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Advantages and Disadvantages
Here’s a quick comparison of the strengths and challenges of Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify. This table captures the key points we discussed earlier, making it easier to see how each platform stacks up.
| Platform | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Wix | • Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor that allows creative flexibility • Offers over 2,500 templates and 800+ app integrations • Free plan available for basic use • No transaction fees for e-commerce sales • Supports up to 50,000 products • Experts rate it 4.5/5 for ease of use |
• Templates can’t be changed after launch • Migrating your site is difficult • Costs for apps can add up • Not ideal for complex e-commerce setups • Scalability may be limited for larger businesses |
| Squarespace | • Sleek, professional templates (180+ options) • Great tools for branding and visual design • Perfect for service-based businesses and portfolios • Unlimited product listings on e-commerce plans • Managed hosting with automatic updates • A go-to for design-focused entrepreneurs |
• No free plan available • Fewer integrations compared to competitors • Less flexibility for advanced customizations • SEO tools aren’t as robust as others |
| Shopify | • Access to over 13,000 integrations for added functionality • Unlimited product listings with advanced inventory tools • AI-powered features for product descriptions and email marketing • Multi-channel selling on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon • Scalable to support growing businesses • Experts rate it 4.6/5 for e-commerce capabilities |
• No free plan, with pricing starting at $29/month • Transaction fees apply unless using Shopify Payments • Less suitable for non-e-commerce websites • Learning curve can be steep for beginners • Premium pricing might challenge startups’ budgets |
Each platform has a unique balance of customization, scalability, and ease of use. When deciding, consider how the platform aligns with your budget and whether its features meet your immediate needs and long-term goals. Payment processing fees also differ, so weigh these costs alongside your e-commerce priorities. The right choice will depend on what works best for your business now and as it grows.
Conclusion
Selecting the right website builder comes down to aligning your business needs with what each platform does best. As outlined earlier, each option has unique strengths tailored to different users.
For retail-focused entrepreneurs, Shopify stands out with its powerful e-commerce tools, making its $29 starting price a worthwhile investment. Squarespace shines with its visually stunning templates, perfect for creative professionals and service-based businesses. Meanwhile, Wix offers an intuitive editor and a free plan, making it a great choice for beginners looking for affordability and ease of use.
When making your decision, think about your current priorities and long-term goals. How comfortable are you with technology? Do you prioritize design, or are advanced e-commerce tools a must? Choosing the right platform now can save you from challenges down the road.
Ultimately, each platform excels in its niche: Wix for simplicity and budget-friendly options, Squarespace for its polished design, and Shopify for unmatched e-commerce functionality. Pick the one that aligns with your vision to lay the groundwork for online success.
FAQs
What should I consider when choosing the best website builder for my business?
When choosing a website builder for your business, it’s important to weigh factors like how easy it is to use, the level of customization available, and built-in e-commerce tools. Start by identifying your specific needs – do you want a straightforward informational site, or are you planning to set up a full-fledged online store? Pick a platform that aligns with those goals and can handle your requirements smoothly.
Budget is another key consideration. Look for a platform that fits within your financial plan while offering features that simplify management and can grow alongside your business. Tools like those from Business Anywhere can also help streamline your operations, freeing up more time for you to focus on establishing your online presence.
What should entrepreneurs consider when choosing a website builder for e-commerce?
When picking a website builder for your e-commerce store, it’s crucial to think about factors like ease of use, customization options, and how well it can grow with your business. Look for platforms with intuitive design tools, secure payment processing, and strong e-commerce features like inventory tracking, shipping integrations, and analytics. These tools are essential for building a professional online store that aligns with your business goals.
You’ll also want to review pricing plans to find one that fits your budget and ensures the platform supports popular payment methods in the U.S., such as credit cards and PayPal. By prioritizing these features, you can streamline the process of starting and expanding your online store.
Are there additional costs like transaction fees or app purchases when using website builders?
When picking a website builder, don’t overlook the extra costs that might come with it beyond the subscription price. Some platforms tack on transaction fees for e-commerce sales, while others might prompt you to buy premium apps or add-ons to unlock advanced features like analytics, marketing tools, or custom integrations. Take the time to dive into the pricing details and terms of service to steer clear of any surprise charges that could impact your budget.
