The Best Website Platforms for Small Business Owners

(And how to choose the right one for your needs)

When you’re just starting or growing your small business, your website isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s your online home. But with so many website platforms out there, it can be hard to know where to begin. Should you prioritise ease of use? Flexibility? Design? Cost?

In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the most popular website platforms for small business owners, and help you figure out which one might be the best fit for you.

💻 1. Wix — Best for Custom Design with Ease

Wix is a favourite for many small business owners (and one I personally use and recommend often). It offers drag-and-drop functionality, beautiful templates, and total creative freedom — all without needing to write a single line of code.

Best for you if:

– You want a designer-level look without the designer price

– You value creative freedom

– You run a service-based or product-based business

– You want to start small and scale later

Pros:

✓ Beginner-friendly

✓ Gorgeous, customisable templates

✓ Built-in SEO tools

✓ E-commerce and bookings available

✓ Mobile-friendly editor

Things to consider:

– Too much freedom can feel overwhelming at first

– You’ll need a premium plan to connect your domain and remove ads

🛒 2. Shopify — Best for E-commerce Businesses

If you’re selling physical or digital products online, Shopify is one of the most powerful platforms out there. It’s designed specifically for e-commerce, and handles everything from product listings to secure payments and shipping integration.

Best for you if:

– Your business is product-focused

– You want powerful tools for inventory, orders, and marketing

– You need scalability as you grow

Pros:

✓ Made for selling

✓ Clean templates

✓ App integrations for marketing and sales

✓ Reliable and secure

Things to consider:

– Monthly plans are higher than other platforms

– Design flexibility is more limited than Wix or Squarespace

✨ 3. Squarespace — Best for Creatives & Portfolios

Squarespace is known for its modern, polished templates and is especially loved by creatives — photographers, designers, writers, and consultants. It’s sleek and professional, with everything you need to showcase your work beautifully.

Best for you if:

– Aesthetics are important to your brand

– You want a portfolio-style site or simple service site

– You’re a creative business owner or solopreneur

Pros:

✓ Elegant design templates

✓ Built-in blogging tools

✓ Easy to set up

✓ Great for visual storytelling

Things to consider:

– Slightly steeper learning curve

– Limited customisation compared to Wix

📱 4. WordPress.com — Best for Blogging & Advanced Needs

WordPress has been around for a long time, and for good reason. If you need a powerful content management system, have blogging at the heart of your business, or want to fully customise your website with plugins — WordPress might be the one for you.

Best for you if:

– You want a blog-heavy website

– You don’t mind a steeper learning curve

– You want advanced features or custom development down the line

Pros:

✓ Scalable and customisable

✓ Thousands of plugins

✓ Ideal for SEO and content-heavy sites

Things to consider:

– Not beginner-friendly

– Requires more upkeep and tech confidence

🧭 How to Choose the Right Platform for You

Here are a few simple questions to ask yourself before deciding:

• What kind of business do I have? (Services? Products? Portfolio?)

• Do I want to sell online now — or later?

• How comfortable am I with tech and design tools?

• What’s my budget for setup and ongoing costs?

• Do I want to DIY, or will I hire someone to help?

There’s no one-size-fits-all platform — just the one that fits you best right now.

💡 Final Thoughts

If you're just starting out, platforms like Wix and Squarespace can be perfect stepping stones — easy to use, stylish, and adaptable. As you grow, you can always evolve your website or switch platforms as your business needs change.

At Pearl & Satin, I specialise in designing intentional websites for women-led businesses, whether it’s a custom build on Wix, or a beautiful, pre-made template to help you launch with ease.

If you’d like help choosing or designing the right site for your business, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to chat ✨