With so many website-building platforms on the market today, writers and editors have many options to choose from. With so many options, though, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and, though it may seem like a small matter, deciding between the myriad of platforms is a relatively important decision because if you build your website with one web-building platform, it’s usually difficult to transfer your site to another one should you find something better suited to your needs.

Here are a few suggestions to help you narrow down your search.

Squarespace

If you’re new to website building and want to avoid coding wherever possible, Squarespace is a good option. Full of different website templates and featuring an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, Squarespace allows relative luddites the opportunity to design and build an attractive website that can be used for blogging and the occasional email list. If those are your needs, then Squarespace could be a great fit.

If you’re looking to monetize your website, though, you may have some issues down the road, since Squarespace doesn’t offer any real ecommerce options.

Wix

Another drag-and-drop contender is Wix. Like Squarespace, it also offers templates that users can browse through until they find one that they feel represents their brand. For those looking to add an online store to their website, Wix is a better fit than Squarespace as Wix offers some ready-to-go ecommerce options.

WordPress

An oldie-but-still-goody, WordPress may not be the juggernaut of user-designed websites that it once was, but WordPress continues to be a great option for those who have the time and patience to master its less-than-user-friendly design.

WordPress works on a plugin-based system. These plugins offer a wide range of different functions, including ecommerce, online security, and SEO options. Picking and choosing plugins rather than sticking with the templates offered by Wix or Squarespace allows users more freedom. If you’re planning on using WordPress, though, prepare to pay up, since their best content is only available to premium members.

Site123

This is another great option for people new to web design. Site123 provides some great options for bloggers, offers helpful SEO tools, and has a built-in ecommerce platform. Another great feature offered by Site123 is its mobile-device-optimized designs. Nowadays, people do most of their browsing on their phones, so it’s important to be mobile-compatible. Few things turn potential clients off more than a website that looks clunky or is difficult to use.

Pixpa

For writers and editors who want to feature a lot of visual content alongside their written work, Pixpa is a great option. Pixpa’s templates are specifically designed to work alongside writers and editors who want to showcase images, such as visual art, photography, and book covers. And, with SEO tools and ecommerce options integrated into the Pixpa platform, this is a good one-stop shop for beginners who want to get off to a good start.

Weebly

One of the top contenders for writers and authors looking to sell their work through their websites is Weebly. Weebly offers exceptional ecommerce options, so authors don’t need to rely on any third-party resellers. Instead, Weebly allows writers and editors to sell their books and other merchandise directly through their website. This is great option if you have books or services to sell. And, if you’ve had trouble managing your marketing strategy, Weebly also offers many services that allow you to improve your social media presence and stay on top of customer feedback.

Lots to Choose From

There are many options to choose from when considering which website-building platform will work best for you. One important rule is to remember that flashy templates can only get you so far. The value of having so many of these services on offer is that each one has its own strengths. If the most expensive and often most robust option is out of the question, you have options that are better suited for your purposes at hand. Remember, a high-cost website-building platform doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be the best, so read up on what each one is designed for before you make your decision.

Michael Bedford is a freelance editor, copywriter, and performer living in Stoney Creek, Ontario. He can be reached at https://mgb-editor.com/.