Questions to Choose the Best Website Platform: A Comprehensive Guide

When building a website—whether for personal use or business—choosing the right platform is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The platform sets the foundation for your website’s functionality, design, and growth potential. To help you make an informed decision, here’s a detailed guide to the essential questions you should address when selecting a website platform.

1. Define Your Purpose and Goals

Understanding the purpose of your website is key to selecting the right platform.

• What’s the primary purpose of your website?

• Examples include:

  • E-commerce: Selling products or services.

  • Portfolio: Showcasing creative work.

  • Blog: Sharing ideas or expertise.

  • Informational: Providing valuable resources or knowledge.

• What are your top goals?

• Examples:

  • Increasing brand awareness.

  • Driving sales or leads.

  • Building an engaged community.

2. Understand Your Target Audience

A successful website caters to its audience’s needs.

• Who is your target audience?

• Consider:

  • Demographics: Age, location, and gender.

  • Interests and online habits: Preferred devices, social media usage, and content preferences.

• What are their expectations?

  Does your audience expect a modern, mobile-friendly design or robust e-commerce features?

3. Assess Your Content Needs

Content is the lifeblood of your website.

• What type of content will you create?

  Examples: Blogs, videos, images, or downloadable files.

• How often will you update your site?

  Frequency can range from daily updates to occasional refreshes.

4. Evaluate Technical Skills

Your level of technical expertise impacts platform choice.

• What’s your technical skill level?

  • Beginner: Seek drag-and-drop builders.

  • Expert: Look for platforms offering advanced customization.

• Will you have support for website management?

  Teams and agencies can offset technical limitations.

5. Factor in Your Budget

Financial constraints can narrow your platform options.

• What’s your website budget?

  Include costs for:

  • Hosting and domain registration.

  • Platform subscriptions.

  • Design and maintenance.

• Are there must-have paid features?Advanced analytics, e-commerce tools, or professional design templates may cost extra.

6. Prioritize Design Flexibility

Your website’s appearance matters.

• How much design control do you need?

  Choose between basic templates or fully customizable designs.

• Do you have existing branding?

  Incorporate elements like logos, color schemes, and fonts.

7. Identify Necessary Features

Platform functionality should align with your goals.

• What features are essential?

  Examples:

  • E-commerce tools.

  • Blogging capabilities.

  • SEO tools and analytics.

• Do you need third-party integrations?

  Examples include payment processors, CRMs, or social media widgets.

8. Plan for Scalability

A platform should grow with your needs.

• What are your future goals?

  Consider increased traffic, additional pages, or expanded e-commerce capabilities.

• Will you need multilingual or international support?

9. Address SEO and Marketing Needs

Search engine optimization and marketing tools are vital.

• What’s your SEO strategy?

  Focus on content marketing, local SEO, or backlinks.

• Do you need integrated marketing tools?

  Examples: Email campaigns, social media integrations, or pay-per-click (PPC) ad tools.

10. Consider Support and Resources

Reliable support makes website management smoother.

• What level of customer support do you need?

  Options include:

  • Live chat.

  • Knowledge bases.

  • Phone support.

• Do you require educational resources?

  Tutorials and guides can empower DIY users.

11. Ensure Legal Compliance

Stay aligned with legal standards.

• What compliance requirements apply?

  Examples:

  • GDPR for data privacy.

  • ADA compliance for accessibility.

12. Analytics and Performance Monitoring

Track performance to refine your strategies.

• What analytics tools do you need?

  Consider visitor tracking, conversion rates, or real-time reporting.

Recommendations: Top Platforms by Use Case

1. Creative Portfolios

Best Option: Squarespace or Wix

Why These Platforms Shine:

• Customizable Templates: Both platforms offer visually appealing, customizable templates designed to highlight artistic and creative works.

• User-Friendly Design Tools: These platforms make it easy to personalize layouts without requiring advanced technical skills.

• Focus on Visual Content: Ideal for photographers, artists, and designers looking to showcase their work with high-quality imagery and multimedia content.

Key Features to Consider:

• Drag-and-drop editing for easy layout adjustments.

• Options for integrating galleries, videos, and animations seamlessly.

• Mobile-responsive designs to ensure your portfolio looks great on any device.

2. Small Business Websites

Best Option: Wix, Weebly

Why These Platforms Excel:

• Business-Centric Tools: Features like booking systems, contact forms, and email marketing integration make these platforms perfect for small business needs.

• Affordability: Both platforms offer cost-effective plans tailored for small businesses.

• Ease of Use: The simple interfaces allow business owners to update and manage their websites independently.

Key Features to Consider:

• Built-in tools for scheduling appointments and managing customer inquiries.

• Integration options for local SEO, helping small businesses improve their visibility in search results.

• E-commerce functionality for businesses looking to sell products online.

3. E-Commerce Stores

Best Option: Shopify (primary), Wix (secondary)

Why These Platforms Are Recommended:

• Shopify: Designed specifically for e-commerce, Shopify handles large catalogs, complex inventory systems, and offers advanced sales tools like abandoned cart recovery and multiple payment gateway options.

• Wix: While less robust than Shopify, Wix is ideal for smaller stores or businesses that want a simple, all-in-one platform with e-commerce capabilities.

Key Features to Consider:

• Shopify:

  • Scalability for growing businesses.

  • Access to thousands of apps for enhancing your store's functionality.

  • Professional reporting and analytics tools.

• Wix:

  • Easy-to-use store builder with integrated payment and shipping tools.

  • Excellent design flexibility for storefront customization.

  • Suitable for smaller product catalogs or niche e-commerce ventures.

4. Blogs

Best Option: WordPress.com

Why WordPress Stands Out:

• Advanced Blogging Tools: WordPress is unmatched in its ability to handle content-heavy websites with robust blogging needs.

• Scalability: Whether you’re starting with a simple blog or expanding into a full-fledged content site, WordPress can grow with your needs.

• Community Support: A vast community of developers and plugins ensures endless customization options.

Key Features to Consider:

• Built-in SEO tools to help your blog rank higher in search engines.

• Flexibility in design with thousands of free and premium themes.

• Capability to handle multimedia content such as videos, podcasts, and high-resolution images.

5. Quick Launch Websites

Best Option: Wix, Zyro

Why These Platforms Are Ideal:

• Intuitive Interfaces: Both platforms are designed for beginners, allowing users to get a website up and running quickly.

• Rapid Setup: Pre-designed templates and AI-driven design tools streamline the creation process.

• Affordable Options: They offer budget-friendly plans with essential features for simple websites.

Key Features to Consider:

• Wix:

  • AI-powered Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) for auto-generating site designs.

  • A vast library of templates to choose from, categorized by industry.

  • Integrated SEO tools for basic online visibility.

• Zyro:

  • AI tools for content creation, including logo and slogan generators.

  • Focus on minimalistic, fast-loading designs.

  • Simple drag-and-drop editor for rapid customization.

By aligning your platform choice with your specific use case, you can ensure the best fit for your website’s goals and functionality.

Conclusion

By answering these questions, you can confidently choose a platform that aligns with your current needs and future goals. Whether you prioritize design, functionality, or scalability, the right platform can turn your vision into a reality.

Need Help Deciding?

At Juxtaposed Tides, we specialize in helping businesses find the perfect platform for their website needs. Contact us today for a free consultation!