WordPress vs Wix & Squarespace: Why WordPress Wins for Business Websites

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Why building your website on WordPress beats DIY builders like Wix and Squarespace

If you’re a small business owner thinking about building a new website, you’ve probably come across DIY platforms like Wix, Squarespace or Weebly. Their drag-and-drop design, glossy templates, and “build it in a day” promises can seem like a dream come true – especially if you’re on a budget.

But here’s the catch: while these builders may seem easy upfront, they come with long-term limitations that can hold your business back. That’s where WordPress shines.

Here’s why getting your website professionally built on WordPress is a smarter, more scalable choice than going the DIY route with Wix or Squarespace.

1. WordPress is built for growth

DIY builders are fine for basic “starter” websites. But what happens when your business grows?

WordPress is a platform you can build on for years:

Add online booking, memberships, eCommerce, or multilingual support
Integrate with CRMs, email marketing, and advanced analytics
Handle high traffic without major slowdowns

Wix and Squarespace can quickly become limiting when your needs go beyond the basics.

2. Better SEO tools and control

If you want to rank well in Google (especially for local search terms), WordPress is the clear winner.

With WordPress, you can:

Use powerful SEO plugins like Yoast or RankMath
Control meta tags, image alt text, page redirects, and schema
Get full access to technical optimisation

Wix and Squarespace offer surface-level SEO tools, but you’re limited by what their systems allow.

3. Total design flexibility

Wix and Squarespace offer beautiful templates – but those templates come with restrictions. Want to move your header? Add a unique layout? You’re often stuck.

WordPress, on the other hand, offers:

Thousands of free and premium themes
Drag-and-drop page builders like Elementor or Bricks
Full code-level customisation if needed

Your website should reflect your brand – not just what a template allows.

4. You own and control everything

With a DIY builder:

You don’t own the platform
You can’t move your website elsewhere
You’re locked into their pricing, features and terms

With self-hosted WordPress:

You own your site and can host it wherever you want
You can back it up, move it, and scale it freely
You’re not dependent on one company staying in business

Freedom and ownership matter – especially for long-term digital assets.

5. Massive plugin ecosystem

Need a contact form? Booking system? Email popup? With WordPress, there’s likely a plugin for it – and most are free or very affordable.

WordPress has over 59,000 plugins to extend your site’s functionality. Wix and Squarespace have much smaller app libraries, and you may need to pay more for extra features.

6. Stronger security options

Security is essential – especially if you’re collecting leads, taking payments or storing customer data.

With WordPress, you can:

Choose your own secure hosting
Add firewall and anti-spam plugins
Perform regular updates and backups

Wix/Squarespace manage security for you, but you have no control if something goes wrong or they go down.

7. More cost-effective over time

Yes, WordPress might have higher upfront costs if you’re hiring a professional – but it often saves you money long-term.

With WordPress:

You avoid paying monthly for features that should be standard
You can grow and scale without rebuilding your entire site
You’re not locked into pricey plans to get basic functionality

DIY builders often upsell features and storage once you outgrow their “basic” tiers.

8. More professional support

When you hire a local web designer or marketing consultant to build your WordPress site, you’re not just getting a website – you’re getting:

Strategic input
SEO advice
Ongoing support
A site tailored to your business goals

With Wix or Squarespace, you’re on your own. And while their support teams can help with technical bugs, they don’t know your business — or your customers.

So, When is a DIY builder ok?

You’re just testing an idea or hobby site
You need something live this weekend and don’t mind limitations
You don’t care about SEO, customisation, or long-term growth

But if you’re serious about building a business – and want a site that grows with you – WordPress is a far better investment.

Comparison checklist

Click on image to download.

Final thoughts

Wix and Squarespace are good tools for beginners, but they’re not built for businesses that want to scale, rank well, and fully control their brand online.

WordPress gives you the power, flexibility, and ownership that modern businesses need – and when it’s professionally built, it becomes an asset that works hard for your brand.