How to select The Right website platform
Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash
Being techy is a "nice to have, but not needed" line on your digital nomad resume. Before launching my online business, the most web design experience was customizing my Zanga page with a scrolling marquee. But when I saw others making money from blogging, curiosity struck.
A new world opened up, and I was hooked! Clearly, my fascination with different lifestyles was more intriguing than a blogging business (hence Oak + Pine as we see it today). But learning how to build and design a website was empowering.
In this blog post, I'll walk through the pros and cons of each platform I've tried and which is the best option for you.
Quick pre-requisite. Imagine publishing software like your storefront and hosting providers are like your business address. Okay! Now you're a pro. Let's dive in.
WordPress
Best for bloggers and businesses with a high-security protocol.
I launched Oak + Pine with WordPress probably because most bloggers promote their affiliate link and Bluehost, a hosting provider. Like the Romy and Michele of the online world - best friends after all these years, but not much has changed since.
The backend of this platform ain't the prettiest, but it gets the job done. From my experience, it takes a handful of plugins (additional software) or codes to design it to your liking. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on your comfort level. It gives you a full range of design and security. Also, there are a handful of plugins that can support your SEO Strategy and design.
Consider using Showit for an easy drag and drop design option.
Squarespace
Best for service-based businesses with straight forward needs
Don't get me wrong, Squarespace has all the capabilities to support a product-based business. After all, Oak + Pine sells our member's products with our Quarterly Self Care Subscription Box and Popup Marketplace. But other than the fact that Kylie Jenner built a billion-dollar business on Shopify, I'll share why I think Shopify is better for businesses that are primarily product based for us mere mortals.
If WordPress is Windows, then Squarespace is Apple. WordPress has a ton of capabilities when it comes to customization, SEO, and firewalls. But Squarespace makes website building easy. It's simplified backend layout makes you want to click and explore without feeling like you're about to break something.
Squarespace has a drag-and-drop feature, making it fun to evolve your website design as your business grows. Real quick about SEO - WordPress takes the cake when it comes to useful tools to optimize your website. But, Squarespace does have built-in SEO features to help your audience discover you online. With that said, Squarespace has a few plugins but can't hold a candle to WordPress.
If you’re looking for paywall capabilities, Squarespace now has this option which was launched after Oak + Pine released our membership. A cheaper alternative is Memberspace.
Shopify
Best for product-based online businesses
Disclaimer - Shopify and I had a wonderful first date but decided Squarespace had better odds for a long-term relationship. This is based on our short-term love affair.
Shopify was clearly built for online stores. Like Squarespace, it's drag-and-drop web design capabilities gives you more time to focus on marketing your product than building a website for it. If your business is primarily product-based, then consider Shopify.
Shopify has plugins that make sense for your online store. From seamless purchasing workflows that include fulfillment, shipping, and customer service. They've thought of everything, and I'm convinced they're building an army of online merchants.
The moral of the story, figure out your business model and needs first. But don't overthink it. It's easy to fall into the research rabbit hole, so don't fall into Elmer J. Fudd's trap, Bugs Bunny. Make a knowledgeable decision, try it out, and try another if it doesn't meet your needs.
If you found this blog post helpful, please share it with a friend who's considering starting a business. Our vision is to empower women through entrepreneurship. I hope you will see that starting a business isn't as scary as you might think. It just takes curiosity, willingness to fail, and gratitude to succeed.