This article has been authored by Stand Out Online Member Natalia Gomez Maganda Pineda, Green Studio
In the digital age, your website is the way you step into the online world, and to be honest, it’s how people will judge you. Your website is where your vision and mission are brought to life.
Choosing the right website platform is crucial to create a space that reflects your unique brand and converts visitors into loyal clients. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the world of website platforms, offering my best tips and recommendations to choose the best platform based on your needs, goals, tech expertise and budget for your service based business.
Gone are the days of doing all the free trials! I did them for you already (not fun at all) and migrated my blog twice! So let’s get into it shall we?
But first, how much do websites cost?
When it comes to website costs, the range is wide. From free platforms like Blogger to fully custom-coded websites, the price tag depends on your specific requirements. A basic website can cost as little as $10 per month for hosting, while more complex, custom websites can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands if you choose to work with a premium website developer or hosting company.
The important thing is to be transparent about the monthly budget you have available for investing in your website. Website hosting needs to be looked at like that non-negotiable fee for building your business. I can’t tell you how many clients have complained about not being able to pay for website hosting or seeing website hosting as an uncomfortable monthly expense. But the truth is, that if you don’t have $10-$50 USD/month to spend on website hosting then your business isn’t ready for a website and you need to revisit your prices or business model to be able to pay for your business and marketing expenses.
What is the best platform to build a website?
The best platform for your website depends on your unique needs and goals. To help you choose, here’s a checklist to consider:
- Your technical expertise.
- Desired features (e.g., e-commerce, blog, appointment scheduling).
- Budget.
- Design customization.
- SEO capabilities.
- Scalability.
- Customer support.
What is the most used website building platform?
WordPress is the most widely used website building platform, known for its flexibility and extensive library of plugins and themes. However, if you want my honest opinion I would never recommend WordPress to any client (keep reading to find out why!)
The best website platforms for selling services
Here’s a ranking of website platforms for service providers, from easiest to most complex:
Squarespace:
User-friendly and design-focused for entrepreneurs and small businesses. (I mean they bought Google Domains in 2023 so they must be Google’s favorite?).
Known for its user-friendly approach and design-focused templates, Squarespace is an excellent choice if you prioritize aesthetics and a hassle-free experience. The platform offers a range of beautifully designed templates that you can customize to match your brand’s personality. Whether you’re a life coach, therapist, wedding planner, or any service-based business owner, Squarespace provides an ideal canvas to exhibit your unique offerings.
Duda:
Duda (affiliate link) is the best white label agency platform for service based businesses and advanced integrations with hosting on Amazon servers. (I know you probably don’t know about this platform but it’s the best platform after Squarespace if you don’t want to handle your website on your own. Most of my clients that want VIP support have their website on this platform and they pay for website hosting with me as an agency)
Showit:
Offers stunning design capabilities.If you crave in-depth design control similar to using a tool like Photoshop, Showit might be your platform of choice. It’s perfect if you want to create a website that is a true reflection of their creative vision. Showit allows for drag-and-drop design and is particularly beneficial for photographers and visual artists who wish to create a stunning online portfolio. I won’t lie, their designs are gorgeous but not a fan of their editing software.
Wix:
Limited in design and functionality. Wix is a platform known for its simplicity and accessibility. It’s an excellent choice if you want to set up a basic website quickly. However, it may be less suitable for service providers who have specific design and functionality requirements. Its design and feature limitations might limit your ability to fully express your brand.
WordPress:
WordPress is a versatile platform with an extensive library of plugins and themes. It offers significant flexibility, making it a preferred choice for many. However, it can be complex, requiring a steeper learning curve and potentially a significant number of plugins to fulfill your needs. This may result in more ongoing maintenance.
Requires more technical know-how and maintenance. (Basically if you want to suffer in the process or are not tech saavy you will regret having to scroll through endless tutorials, plugin setup blogs and youtube videos to learn how to have a fully functional website that loads quickly and has high quality hosting…)
Which is better: Squarespace, Showit, Wix, or WordPress?
- Squarespace: If you value a user-friendly platform with elegant designs, Squarespace is the best choice. It offers templates that are both visually appealing and easy to manage. Squarespace provides an excellent balance between aesthetics and usability.
- Showit: Showit is perfect if you have a precise vision of your website’s design. However, it might be overwhelming to learn how to use because the editor is similar to Photoshop.
- Wix: Wix is simple to use and great for quick setups. However, it’s not as feature-rich or design-oriented as Squarespace or Showit. If you’re on a tight budget and need a basic online presence, Wix may be suitable. But for service providers with specific design and functionality requirements, it may fall short.
- WordPress: WordPress is a powerful platform with extensive capabilities, but it often requires more technical know-how and ongoing maintenance.
That’s why if you want a stunning design, SEO and love from Google my personal favorites are Squarespace and Duda for the reasons mentioned above.
Where to find strategic Squarespace website templates for service providers
As a service provider, your website needs to be visually appealing and strategically designed to convert visitors into clients. Check out our Strategic Squarespace Website Templates for service providers. They are fully customizable to suit your unique business needs. Whether you’re a photographer, coach, therapist, wedding planner, or any type of service provider, our templates provide the ideal foundation to elevate your online presence.Squarespace templates
The best website platforms based on your website goals
If you’re considering selling online courses, you’ll need a robust platform that offers the necessary features and functionality. Here’s a ranking of options for different needs:
For selling courses: Ranking the best features and functionality
Thrive Cart: High-Converting Checkout Software
Thrive Cart (affiliate link) is an excellent choice for those looking for high-converting checkout software. It comes with advanced automation features, allowing you to create order bumps, upsells, and downsells. Thrive Cart seamlessly integrates with various email marketing software and course platforms, offering you a wide range of options. You can also use it to create your sales pages and host your online courses, making it a versatile choice.
Kajabi: The All-in-One Solution
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that excels in various areas. It offers a comprehensive website platform, course hosting, powerful automations, and integrated email marketing. If you’re seeking a single solution that covers all your digital needs, Kajabi is the best choice. It streamlines your processes, reduces the need for multiple tools, and provides a seamless user experience for both you and your clients.
Podia: Budget-Friendly Course Hosting
If you’re on a budget and looking for a platform that provides essential course hosting features, Podia (affiliate link) might be the right choice. While it may not offer the same level of functionality as Kajabi or Thrive Cart, Podia is a cost-effective option for getting started with selling courses. It’s easy to use and simplifies the process of charging and hosting your courses.
Your website is more than a digital space, it’s your online home and where you’ll bring life to your dream business
Selecting the right website platform is a critical decision that can significantly impact your online presence.
If you want to dive deeper join my Website Strategy Workshop. Inside, you’ll:
- Learn the essential structure your website should have to effortlessly convert visitors into loyal clients.
- Gain a clear vision of your website’s marketing funnel, allowing you to nurture and engage with your audience effectively.
- Discover the hidden pages that can elevate your client experience and boost conversion rates.
- Access a comprehensive website strategy workbook, a valuable resource designed to help you understand your website planning process at a deeper level
BTW, I’m Natalia
Web design expert and automation nerd
I’ve built an online business which has allowed me to double my income, and quit my full time job all thanks to one thing! MY WEBSITE!
After launching over 50 websites across several industries from non profits, to local businesses and service providers, handling blogs and writing professional copy for clients, I know the ins & outs of building a website that attracts and writing content that converts.