In today's digital age, creating a website is necessary for businesses and individuals alike. However, not everyone has the technical knowledge or skills to design and develop a website from scratch that the reason why website-building platforms come in handy. In this article, we will discuss the top 3 best website-building platforms that are expected to dominate the market in 2023.
Wix
Wix is one of the most popular and best website-building platforms. It has over 200 million users across 190 countries.
Pros and Cons of Wix
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Pros |
Drag-and-drop interface |
It's known for its easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, which makes it simple to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge. |
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Over 800 templates |
These templates cover a wide range of industries and styles, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs. |
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Wix App Market |
Wix offers an app market with a variety of integrations, which can help you add extra functionality to your website |
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Cons |
Template lock-in |
The design flexibility is somewhat limited, so you may not be able to create exactly the look you want. |
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App compatibility issues |
If you choose to use the free plan, you'll have to put up with ads being displayed on your website. |
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High costs |
The lower-priced plans don't offer as much e-commerce functionality as the higher-priced plans. |
Tips: Maximize the potential of your online store by utilizing powerful Shopify apps like Super Effects and Super Watermarks.
Examples
Overall, Wix is a solid choice for anyone looking to create a website without any coding knowledge. Some examples of websites built with Wix include naked poppy, purebarre, etc.
Shopify
Shopify is another popular and widely used website-building platform in the world. It has over 1.7 million users across 175 countries. Shopify is known for its functionality, support, and multi-channel selling. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of Shopify, its pricing, and some examples of websites built with Shopify.
Pros and Cons of Shopify
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Pros |
Powerful and flexible interface |
Shopify has a powerful and flexible interface that allows you to create and edit your website with ease. |
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Over 100 templates |
These templates cover a wide range of industries and styles, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs. |
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Shopify App Store |
You can add apps from the Shopify App Store, such as e-commerce, marketing, analytics, drop shipping, and more |
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Built-in tools |
You can also use Shopify's built-in tools, such as SEO, blogging, email marketing, and more. |
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Multi-channel selling |
Shopify enables you to sell across multiple channels. You can manage all your orders and inventory from one dashboard that syncs with all your sales channels. |
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Cons |
Code inaccessibility |
Shopify uses its coding language called Liquid, which may not be familiar to most developers. You also cannot access or edit the HTML or CSS code of your website unless you upgrade to a higher plan. |
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App overload issues |
Some of the apps in the Shopify App Store are not developed by Shopify, so they may not be compatible or updated with its latest version. You also may need to install multiple apps to achieve the functionality you want, which can slow down your website and increase your costs. |
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High costs |
Shopify does not have a free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial. If you want to publish your website online, you have to upgrade to a paid plan. |
Tips: Improve your online store with apps like Super Effects and Super Watermarks. Personalize the user experience for customers.
Features and Pricing of Shopify
Shopify has five main plans for e-commerce websites. Each plan includes different features, such as storage space, bandwidth, e-commerce functionality, marketing tools, etc. You can compare the plans here.
- Lite – $9 per month,
- Basic – $29 per month
- Shopify – $79 per month
- Advanced – $299 per month
- Plus – custom pricing
Shopify also charges transaction fees for using third-party payment gateways instead of its payment processor, Shopify Payments. The transaction fees vary depending on your plan and payment gateway. You can see the transaction fees here.
Read more: Wix vs Shopify: Which Platform Is Better for You to Sell Online?
Examples
Shopify is used by millions of people to create websites for various purposes and niches. Here are some examples of websites built with Shopify: Allbirds, Gymshark, Pipcorn, etc.
Squarespace
Squarespace is another popular and widely used website-building platforms. It has over 2 million users across 180 countries. Squarespace is known for its design flexibility, functionality, and support.
Pros and Cons of Squarespace
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Pros |
Sleek and elegant interface |
Squarespace has a sleek and elegant interface that allows you to create and edit your website with ease. |
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Over 100 templates |
You can choose from over 100 templates or start from a blank canvas and customize your website to your liking. |
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Squarespace Marketplace |
You can add extensions from the Squarespace Marketplace, such as e-commerce, marketing, analytics, scheduling, and more. |
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Built-in tools |
You can also use Squarespace's built-in tools, such as SEO, blogging, podcasting, email campaigns, and more. |
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Cons |
Steep learning curve |
Squarespace has a steeper learning curve than Wix, as it requires more time and effort to master its interface and features. |
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Glitchy interface |
You may also encounter some glitches or bugs while using Squarespace. |
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App compatibility issues |
Some of the extensions in the Squarespace Marketplace are not developed by Squarespace, so they may not be compatible or updated. You also cannot export or import your data from or to another platform. |
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No free plan |
Squarespace does not have a free plan, but it offers a 14-day free trial. |
Tips: Useful Shopify apps such as Super Effects, Super Watermarks and Super Reports enable you to personalize the user experience of your online store.
Features and Pricing of Squarespace
Squarespace has four main plans for general websites. Each plan includes different features, such as storage space, bandwidth, e-commerce functionality, marketing tools, etc:
- Personal – $12/month
- Business – $18/month
- Basic Commerce – $26/month
- Advanced Commerce – $40/month
Squarespace also has two plans for professional services:
- Personal Services ($24/month)
- Business Services ($38/month)
Examples
Squarespace is used by millions of people to create websites for various purposes and niches. Some examples of websites built with Squarespace like annette joseph style workshops.
In conclusion, each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, but they all provide a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and reliable customer support. These website-building platforms offer a range of features and tools that cater to different needs and skill levels. Ultimately, the choice of platform will depend on your specific requirements and preferences.