According to web credibility research from Stanford, 75% of users admit to judging a business’ overall credibility based on their website. There’s no other way to slice it – a strong website is integral to a successful business.
However, building an effective website can be easier said than done. All sorts of considerations must be made, but one essential question must be answered before anything else: which website platform is right for your business?
Prioritize Your Needs
When deciding on a platform, you must weigh your priorities to determine which areas are non-negotiable and which might have some wiggle room.
Think About Your Business Goals
The objectives you hope to achieve with your website will influence your overall strategy, so keeping those goals front and center is helpful. What does your dream website look like? What abilities does it require?
Consider the more incremental goals as well. How will you measure success? Which KPIs will you track?
Define Your Investment
Crunch the numbers and define your budget to understand how much you can invest in the initial website development and ongoing maintenance. Use that knowledge to balance cost and quality to get the best bang for your buck!
Get Real About Your Tech Proficiency
Be honest - do you have the skills and knowledge or team required to build and maintain a website from scratch?
Your website will require routine maintenance and updates to keep up as your business grows and changes. If you’re new to the world of websites, you’ll want to choose a platform that prioritizes ease of use, while those with more advanced skill sets might opt for greater customization.
Consider Website Functionality
A non-functional website will drive customers away. What specific features are required for your business?
Whether it’s an online booking system, e-commerce capabilities, directories, lead generation forms, or something else entirely, determine your most important website attributes and keep those in mind when comparing platforms.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Website Platform
With your business needs sorted, it’s time to focus on some key qualities to look for in a website platform.
1. Is It Customizable?
Your website should not only give you the functionality you desire, but it should also reflect your brand’s personality. Achieving this requires customizability – your brand is unique, after all! It’s not going to be perfectly represented with a pre-fabricated template.
Consider the application or plugin options available and compare that with the necessary functionality. Visual customization, SEO, and accessibility integrations are all factors to keep in mind.
2. Is It Easy to Use?
What sort of a learning curve are you facing? Even outside the initial build, consider the most common actions you’ll need to take. Explore the processes for posting new blogs, updating copy, and adding new pages or media to determine a website platform’s ease of use.
3. Does It Enable Growth?
Don’t just think about what your business needs right now. Think about what it may need in the future!
Consider add-on features and compare them with how you envision your business evolving over the next decade or so. Ensure that the platform you choose facilitates that growth rather than hinders it.
4. Is There Support Available?
At some point, you’re likely to need some help with your website. Before choosing a platform, check whether it provides adequate customer support or comprehensive tutorials.
Common Website Platforms to Choose From
Now that you know what to look for, let’s compare some of the most popular website platforms.
Wix Studio is an intuitive visual drag-and-drop builder with responsive behaviours, distinctive design-driven flexibility, and outstanding support. Best of all, the code-free interaction is wrapped up in a maintenance-lite platform.
Wix includes a built-in SEO checklist and integrates with features like Google Search Console and Google Analytics. The world of SEO is vast and sometimes confusing, so Wix’s easy-to-use SEO features make it a top choice.
WordPress.org is a self-hosted website platform that provides its users flexibility and total freedom for customization with a gigantic selection of themes, templates, and plugins to choose from. WordPress, a favourite among creatives, gives users complete control over their website and enables them to build a site that matches their brand to a T.
WordPress is one of the most widely used website platforms on the internet, which gives users a wealth of resources and abundant information to help them navigate the platform.
Shopify is a website builder dedicated to serving the world of e-commerce. Offering robust features and impressive design capabilities, Shopify is the go-to choice for businesses looking to build a digital storefront that reflects their brand and functions without a hitch.
With its user-friendly interface and extensive app ecosystem, Shopify empowers entrepreneurs and established enterprises alike to create stunning online stores that cater to their customer's needs while staying at the forefront of e-commerce trends. Whether you're a small startup or a global brand, Shopify has the tools you need to succeed in the competitive online marketplace.
Consult the Pros
Your website is integral to your business, so choosing the right website platform is a big decision. If you’re unsure which might be the best choice for your business, we’re here to help.
The Brand Brew™ offers strategic web design services on Wix Studio, WordPress, and Shopify platforms. That’s right – we don't just talk the talk; we walk the walk! Contact us to select a website platform that fits like a glove and to begin brewing a conversion-driven website for your business.