How to Choose the Best Platform for Your Website: Expert Advice

Did you know that 75% of consumers judge a company’s credibility based on its website design? Choosing the right platform is critical—but with so many options, how do you decide? This guide will walk you through assessing your website needs, comparing popular platforms, and understanding why working with a professional—especially using Webflow—can give your business a competitive edge.

^{(Source: Stanford's Web Credibility Research)}

‍

How to Identify Your Website Needs Based on Your Goals

You might have a good pulse on the type of website you need based on your type of business. In some cases it’s a simple portfolio site to showcase your photographer, artwork, and in other cases it might be an e-commerce site to sell products, or even a service site or simple informational site for your self-branding. Regardless of the type of site that you need, something very important to consider for your website is your business goals. Your business goals will not only help inform the type of site that you need, but also the features and functions of that site and will help point you in the direction of the best platform or resources to use in building your website. For example, if your goal is lead generation, you’ll need contact forms, clear CTAs, and landing pages optimized for conversion. If e-commerce is your focus, robust product pages and secure payment integration are essential.

Your business goals might inform whether you need:

• Landing pages suited for specific types of visitors
• Facebook Pixel for Retargeted Marketing
• Call to actions for on boarding new clients
• Integrations for third-party services such as email marketing or shipping services

Sometimes trying to assess your needs on your own can be daunting for the uninitiated but doing your own research or hiring a professional can be a ton of help!

‍

Best Website Builders: A Comparison of Platforms

There are so many no code solutions on the market right now that you can launch a site in a matter of minutes but with an over abundance of options, you might find yourself thinking “how to build a website for my business,” and “what’s the best website platform for me and my specific needs.” Here’s an overview of preferred platforms with their benefits:

Squarespace

Squarespace stands out for its sleek, modern templates and user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it a great option for creative professionals and small businesses. It’s an all-in-one solution with integrated hosting and e-commerce tools but has limited customization compared to more advanced platforms. Best for visually-driven sites with simple needs.

Wix

Wix is known for its intuitive and beginner-friendly interface, offering a wide range of templates and a straightforward drag-and-drop editor. It’s perfect for individuals or small businesses looking for an affordable, quick-to-launch website but lacks the depth and scalability of more advanced platforms. Best for straightforward, low-budget projects.

Shopify

Shopify is the go-to platform for e-commerce websites, with powerful tools for managing online stores, inventory, and payment systems. Its focus on selling makes it easy to set up and manage a shop but limits flexibility for non-e-commerce sites. Best for businesses focused on retail or subscription services.

Weebly

Weebly is a simple, budget-friendly website builder with an easy-to-use interface and built-in e-commerce tools. It’s suitable for small businesses or individuals starting out online but has limited design and customization options compared to more advanced platforms. Best for small, straightforward websites on a tight budget.

WordPress

WordPress is the most popular platform for creating highly customizable websites, with a vast library of plugins and themes to extend functionality. While it’s flexible and suitable for almost any project, it requires technical knowledge for maintenance, hosting, and plugin management. Best for larger, content-heavy websites or businesses with access to developer support.

Webflow

Webflow is a powerful website builder that bridges the gap between design flexibility and ease of use. It offers complete creative freedom, allowing for pixel-perfect, custom designs without writing code, and it’s equipped with built-in SEO tools, responsive design capabilities, and CMS functionality. Ideal for businesses that want a professional, interactive website that’s easy to manage and scalable.

‍

Why Webflow is the Best Choice for Your Website

While Webflow is a no-code platform, it’s far more advanced than DIY tools like Wix or Squarespace, and often a better alternative to WordPress, many consider it the best website platform for businesses. Here’s some benefits of using Webflow:

1. Professional-Grade Customization: Webflow allows for completely custom, scalable designs—on par with fully coded solutions—without the limitations of drag-and-drop builders.
2. No Plugins, No Hassle: Unlike WordPress, which relies on third-party plugins that can cause compatibility and security issues, Webflow is an all-in-one platform with built-in tools for SEO, animations, forms, CMS, and more.
3. Enterprise-Level Performance: Webflow delivers robust hosting, lightning-fast load times, and airtight security without the need for external services or constant updates.
4. Developer-Friendly Power: For advanced needs, Webflow includes custom code embedding, making it flexible enough for complex features. It’s the perfect middle ground between full development and ease of use.
5. Ease of Management for Clients: Once the site is built, Webflow empowers you to manage and update your website effortlessly—no coding required, but with professional results.
6. Scalability and Future Proofing: Whether you're starting small or planning to grow, Webflow’s tools adapt to your needs without requiring a rebuild.

Webflow is a trusted resource by companies and brand your may recognize

^{Fun fact: this website is made in Webflow!}

Why Hire A Professional Web Designer

While it’s tempting to build your site on your own, working with a professional ensures your site aligns perfectly with your brand, functions seamlessly, and is optimized for search engines.

At Visum Creative, we’ve had a hand in helping many businesses and individuals launch new brands, rebrand or build entirely new sites that help business align their old sites with their current needs. Over the last 10 years we’ve launched many e-commerce website service based website portfolios websites that target other businesses as their clientele. Webflow has been an instrumental resource in creating highly customizable websites with engaging, interactive animations like scroll and hover effects. We’ve transitioned from coded solutions, which can sometimes be a headache and take a longer period of time to develop and launch to no code solutions with tailored constant management systems, allowing clients to manage their site and publish new content to their site on their own. Our web design services include:

• Website Business Strategy
• Custom Scroll & Hover Animations
• SEO Optimization
• Custom Content Management Systemssome text
  • Blog Posts
  • Restaurant Menus
  • Service Items
  • Content Categorizing
  • Portolio Image/Pages
  • & More
• Zapier or Make (formerly integromat) Integrations
• 3rd Party Integration some text
  • Ex. Open Table reservations, iFrame, consultation booking, + more coded embeds
• + More

Ready to bring your website to life? Let’s chat about how I can help create a site that stands out and supports your goals.