As more and more platforms appear, there are now so many ways to build a website, from WordPress and Shopify to Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, bespoke builds and plenty of others quietly waiting in the wings.
Some are templated, a bit restrictive but very easy to use; some are beautifully flexible but need a doctorate to manage properly (not ideal for clients that, quite rightly, don’t speak “web development” as their first language).
So, which platform is best?
I always feel that the honest answer is – there isn’t one perfect platform for every business.
It depends what you need the website to do
The right platform depends on a mix of very practical things, including what you need the website to do, how much flexibility you want, how confident your team feels making updates, the size of your budget, and how the site may need to grow over time.
A small service-based business may need something clear, professional and easy to manage, while an ecommerce business may need strong product functionality, stock management, payment options and a more carefully considered customer journey.
Another organisation may need specific integrations, membership functionality, event bookings, directories, gated content or more bespoke design features, which may immediately make one platform more suitable than another.
That is why we never think it is helpful to start with the platform first. It is much better to start with the business, the audience, the content, the goals and the practical day-to-day reality of who will actually be looking after the website once it is live.
Easy is not always better, but complicated is not always clever
There are some brilliant website platforms that make it relatively easy for business owners to get something live quickly, and for some businesses that is exactly what they need.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with simple if simple does the job well.
The problem tends to come when a business outgrows the platform, or when the initial ease of use starts to feel restrictive because the site cannot quite do what is needed next.
On the other hand, a fully bespoke build can offer huge flexibility, but it can also come with a bigger budget, more development time and more reliance on technical support for future changes.
Again, that is not a bad thing if the business genuinely needs it, but it is not always necessary, especially for many small and medium-sized businesses that need a site to look professional, perform well and be manageable without becoming a full-time job.
Why we often favour WordPress with Elementor Pro (no, we’re not on commission)
Our agency favours WordPress with Elementor Pro for many of our SME clients because it offers a strong balance of design flexibility, scalability, SEO control and everyday usability.
It means clients can have a site that looks professional and carefully designed, but is still fairly practical to manage once it is live. They can update text, change images, add blog posts and make small content updates without needing to come back to us every time they want to move a comma or swap a photo.
That matters, because a website should give a business more confidence and control, not make everyone feel slightly afraid to touch it.
We do also work with sites on other platforms, and there are absolutely times when Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow or a more bespoke build will be the better option. It depends entirely on the business, the brief and what the website needs to achieve.
A website needs to grow with the business
One of the reasons we like WordPress is that, for many growing businesses, it gives just the right mix of structure, freedom and longevity.
A good website should be able to evolve. You may start with a few core pages, then later need landing pages, case studies, booking forms, ecommerce functionality, SEO content, integrations, directories or more advanced marketing tools.
Of course, not every business will need all of that, but choosing a platform that gives you room to grow can save a lot of time, cost and frustration later on.
It is not always about what the website needs to do today; it is also worth thinking about what you might reasonably need it to do in six months, twelve months or three years.
Launch day is only the beginning
It is extremely important for a good website to not just look stunning on launch day, it needs to keep working hard for you months and years later.
That means it needs to be easy enough to update, structured properly for search engines, clear for users, flexible for future marketing activity and built in a way that does not make every small change feel like opening a cupboard and hoping nothing falls out.
A beautiful website is lovely, of course, but if it is difficult to manage, awkward to update or not supporting the way the business actually works, it can quickly become frustrating.
So, which platform should you choose?
For us, the most important thing is not choosing the platform that happens to be fashionable, or the one someone else insists is “the best”, but choosing the one that properly fits your business, your audience, your budget, your content, your future plans and the way you actually work.
WordPress with Elementor Pro is often a brilliant fit for the SME clients we work with, but the right answer always starts with understanding the business properly first.
Because the best platform is not necessarily the flashiest one, the newest one or the one with the loudest fan club online.
It is the one that helps your website do its job properly.
I am genuinely interested – which platform have you found works best for your business?
Frequently Asked Questions About Web Platforms for Growing Businesses
Which website platform is best for a small business?
There is not one perfect platform for every small business, because the right choice depends on what you need your website to do, how much flexibility you want, your budget, and how confident you feel making updates yourself. For many SMEs, WordPress with Elementor Pro can be a strong option because it offers a good balance of flexibility, design control and everyday usability.
Is WordPress better than Wix or Squarespace?
WordPress is not automatically “better”, but it is usually more flexible and scalable than Wix or Squarespace, particularly if you want more control over design, SEO, structure and future functionality. Wix and Squarespace can work well for simpler websites, especially if ease of use is the main priority.
Why do you use WordPress with Elementor Pro?
We often favour WordPress with Elementor Pro because it allows us to create professional, flexible websites that clients can still manage day to day without needing developer support for every small update. It gives a helpful mix of design freedom, SEO control and long-term room to grow.
When is Shopify the best option?
Shopify is usually a good option for businesses where ecommerce is the main focus, especially if you need product management, stock control, payment options and a smooth online shopping experience. It may not be the best fit for every brochure-style or service-based website, but for online stores it can be very effective.
Should I choose the easiest website platform to use?
Ease of use matters, but it should not be the only deciding factor. A platform that feels simple at the start may become restrictive later if your business grows or you need more advanced features, so it is worth choosing something that suits both what you need now and what you may need in the future.
