No single website platform is best for everyone. If you sell products and want to launch quickly, Shopify is usually the right call. If you publish a lot of content and want full freedom, WordPress is hard to beat, and if you want design control without running your own servers, Webflow fits. Custom code pays off when speed, security or integrations matter most, but then you need someone who can change the code, or a CMS attached to it.
This guide covers what each option means day to day: what it costs, who updates the content and how easy it is to leave.
The platforms, one by one
WordPress (and WooCommerce)
WordPress is the biggest by far. According to W3Techs, just over 40 percent of all websites run on WordPress, and nearly 59 percent of sites that use a known CMS. So there is a plugin for almost anything and no shortage of developers. Add WooCommerce and it becomes an online shop.
The downside is maintenance. You are responsible for hosting, updates and security. Patchstack’s 2026 security report found 11,334 new vulnerabilities in the WordPress ecosystem during 2025, and 91 percent of them were in plugins. WordPress core had only six. So the problem is rarely WordPress itself. It is the twenty plugins that piled up over the years and that nobody updates.
Shopify
Shopify is the fastest way to a working online store. Hosting, checkout and security are included. You pay a monthly fee per plan, and according to Shopify’s pricing page an extra transaction fee applies if you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments. Many features come from apps in the Shopify App Store, and several of them carry their own monthly fees. Add up the total, not just the base plan.
Shopify is built around products. Rich content such as guides and complex landing pages gets cramped quickly.
Webflow
Webflow gives designers a lot of control over the look without anyone writing code, and hosting is included. Pricing is built on a site plan per published website plus a workspace plan per person who builds and edits (see Webflow’s pricing page). Editors can change copy and blog posts in a simple interface.
The catch is that you live inside Webflow. You can export the code, but dynamic CMS content does not come along as working pages. You get the content out as CSV files.
Wix and Squarespace
For a hairdresser, a consultant or a club that wants a good-looking site in an afternoon, Wix and Squarespace work well. Everything is included in one monthly fee and you build the site yourself. The limits show up around integrations, performance and portability: what you build there is hard to take anywhere else.
Custom code (for example Astro or Next.js)
A purpose-built site, often statically generated, loads fast and has a small attack surface, because there is no database or plugin collection to break into. You get exactly the features you need and can connect a CRM, booking system or inventory properly.
The price is dependency: without an attached CMS you need a developer for every text change. With a headless CMS you edit the content yourself while the code stays untouched.
The comparison table
| WordPress | Shopify | Webflow | Wix/Squarespace | Custom code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost model | Free software; you pay for hosting, plugins and upkeep | Monthly plan + possible transaction fee + apps | Site plan per website + seat plan | Monthly plan, all-inclusive | Development cost + cheap hosting |
| Who edits content | You, in the admin | You, in Shopify admin | You, in the Webflow editor | You, drag and drop | A developer, or you via an attached CMS |
| Maintenance burden | High | Low | Low | Very low | Low, but needs expertise |
| Speed | Depends on theme and plugins | Good | Good | Varies | Very good |
| E-commerce | Yes, via WooCommerce | The core | Yes, with limits | Simpler shops | Yes, built or integrated |
| Lock-in | Low | Medium | Medium to high | High | Low |
Which platform suits which business?
- Local service company (plumber, clinic, accounting firm): you need a fast site that shows up locally and makes the phone ring. A static site or Webflow goes a long way. WordPress works too, but only if someone actually keeps it updated.
- Growing online store: Shopify gives the fastest start with the least technical hassle. WooCommerce suits you if you want more control over data and workflows and have someone to maintain it.
- Content-heavy company (many articles, guides, several languages): WordPress or custom code with a headless CMS. Structure and load time matter a lot for visibility in search and AI assistants.
- Company with integrations (CRM, ERP, booking, logistics): custom code or a headless setup. Platforms with ready-made apps are often enough at first, but get expensive and fragile as workflows grow.
Whatever you choose, launch is only the start. What decides the results is how the site improves over time, which we cover in continuous website optimisation.
The ownership question: can you move later?
The most important question is rarely asked at the start: what happens if you want to switch? Check three things before you decide.
- Can you export your content? WordPress has a built-in export tool that produces an XML file with pages, posts and categories. Shopify lets you export products as CSV, along with customers and orders.
- Do you own the domain? It should be registered to your company, not to the agency or the platform.
- What will not come along? Design, app-based features and custom workflows almost always have to be rebuilt on the new platform.
If you hire someone, also ask who owns the site itself. That varies a lot between setups, which we go through in managed website vs agency.
Frequently asked questions
WordPress or Shopify for an online store?
If you want to sell quickly with minimal technical responsibility, Shopify is simplest. If you have a lot of content alongside the shop or want full control over code and data, WordPress with WooCommerce fits better, provided someone handles maintenance.
Webflow vs WordPress: which is better?
Webflow offers stronger design control and less maintenance because hosting and security are included. WordPress has a far larger ecosystem and lower lock-in, but needs regular updates.
What is the best website platform for a small business?
For the very smallest, Wix or Squarespace is enough. If you want to grow, rank in search and avoid a rebuild in two years, a simple, fast site built for the purpose is often the better investment.
Can I switch platforms later?
Yes, but content moves more easily than design and features. Choose a setup where you own the domain and can export your text, images and products.
How Almano helps
We are not tied to any one platform. We build and run websites, e-commerce and business systems on whatever fits your company, and you always own your site and content. No lock-in, and you can cancel any time. After launch we keep measuring and improving every month. See what we do on our services page.
Not sure your current platform will hold up? You can book a free call or run your domain through our free audit on the homepage.
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