Website Platforms
W5 specialises in identifying the right website platform to suit our clients’ specific requirements. Choosing and implementing the right website platform is key to not costing you time and money and ensuring you are set up for success for now and into the future.
There are many options available, and each option has their good and bad points based on what your objectives are. This will determine which platform is the best one to pick and implement. Some platforms don’t charge ongoing fees via subscriptions but have limited features compared to others. Platforms that are cheaper could make it more difficult to add more advanced features without additional cost. Website platforms that charge via subscriptions typically make it easier to add features without technical experience, allowing you to pay for convenience.
Common Website Platforms Summary
Below is a summary of some of the more popular website builder platforms that W5 uses.
WordPress is a highly versatile content management system (CMS) known for its flexibility and extensive customization options. It powers a large portion of the internet and offers numerous plugins and themes to create various types of websites, from blogs and portfolios to e-commerce stores. WordPress itself is free, but you'll need to pay for web hosting and potentially premium themes and plugins. Hosting costs can vary depending on the provider and the level of service you require. Premium themes and plugins typically have one-time or subscription-based fees.
Squarespace is a user-friendly website builder that emphasizes elegant design and simplicity. It provides a range of professionally designed templates and integrated features, making it suitable for individuals and small businesses looking to create visually appealing websites without extensive technical knowledge. Squarespace offers several pricing plans, starting from a monthly subscription fee. Plans include hosting, website building tools, and customer support. The cost varies depending on the plan chosen, with higher-tier plans offering more features and functionality.
Wix is a beginner-friendly website builder that enables users to create visually stunning websites with its drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates. It offers a variety of features for different types of websites, including e-commerce stores, portfolios, and blogs, making it suitable for individuals and small businesses. Wix offers a free plan with Wix branding, but for a professional website without ads, users need to upgrade to one of the premium plans. Premium plans include hosting, domain registration, and access to additional features such as e-commerce functionality and marketing tools.
GoDaddy is a web hosting and domain registration company that also offers website building tools and services. Its website builder provides users with customizable templates, e-commerce capabilities, and marketing tools, making it suitable for individuals and small businesses looking for an all-in-one solution for their online presence. GoDaddy's website builder is available as part of its web hosting plans, which come with a monthly or annual fee. The cost varies depending on the plan chosen, with higher-tier plans offering more features such as e-commerce capabilities and marketing tools.
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder that offers drag-and-drop functionality and a variety of templates for creating websites, blogs, and online stores. It provides integrated e-commerce features, responsive design options, and SEO tools, making it suitable for individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence quickly and easily. Weebly offers a free plan with Weebly branding, but for a professional website without ads, users need to upgrade to one of the premium plans. Premium plans include hosting, domain registration, and access to additional features such as e-commerce functionality and marketing tools.
Given the above options, it’s important for us at W5 to find and implement the right platform that meets your current and future objectives. We pride ourselves on having a passion for finding the right website platform to solve particular problems and objectives.