Different Website Platforms for Small Businesses

For many people, websites and web design can seem like another world. However, as the demand for online presence and marketing marches forward, we can’t ignore the need for online platforms. Your small business needs a website to remain competitive and meet the needs of customers. 

Easily accessible information like phone numbers, service areas, and an address are vital to your business’s success. Meeting your customer’s initial needs online offers the opportunity to provide them with services, products, and information. Online platforms are critical for small businesses to take their business to their customers. Finding the right option for your needs requires research and understanding what each platform offers you and how to use it successfully.

Options for Small Businesses

If you don’t have a background in web design, you may not know where to start. You can look at website building options from a cost standpoint or look for someone that can give you your dream website. Before you pick a platform like WordPress, Squarespace, or Shopify, you will want to understand the different themes, builder tools, and plugs that offer unique editorial and performance opportunities within the website. If you are looking to get things started but don’t know where to go from there, an experienced website developer can help.

Whether you need web design near Chester County, PA, or elsewhere, there are many sites that you can choose to support your company. These different options include incredibly popular types that can subtly transform your business for the better. We will break down some of the leading factors to help you meet the needs of your business.

WordPress: Quick and Effective

If you just need to get up a website quickly to do business as soon as possible, WordPress is a powerful platform. You can build a site for free using their various simple model sites or purchase a premium account for more control over your site. WordPress is easy to learn and offers various editorial options. Even if you are new to web design, they have user-friendly options that you can use to build out pages, post blogs, and provide your customers with the correct information.

Shopify: Amazing Sales Platform

Shopify is one of the leading sales platforms for eCommerce businesses because it includes multiple apps and an integrated payment processor that keeps your sales safe. It also includes a free trial that helps you get started on your site.

Shopify has some limitations to what you can and can’t design, but overall offers a great space to build out your online store.

Wix: Modern Designs With Minimum Efforts

Wix is a low-cost online platform that may be free as long as you let Wix display ads on your site. It lets you set up a quick and in-depth storefront with attractive styles and fast design. You get hundreds of templates designed to meet your business aesthetic. That said, the many app and plugin options give you a surprising level of control for an inexpensive platform.

Squarespace: Getting Started

This website is great for beginners who don’t know where to start and want something minimal to get their feet wet. It lets you quickly build a strong online business or portfolio using multiple templates that support social media integration. While it has some more limitations, this is a good platform to simply add text and images and build your brand online.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing

When choosing a different online platform for your small business, it is important to consider the following factors to ensure you get the best option for your needs:

• Cost: How much can you afford to pay for your online platform?
• Adaptability: What features and apps do you want on your platform?
• Usage: In what ways do you plan on using your online platform?
• Style: Are there many templates that improve your site’s style?
• Simplicity: Do you feel comfortable using this platform yourself?

These simple factors are critical to consider and may affect your overall site quality. For example, if you don’t carefully budget your purchases, you might end up paying far too much for your needs.

While these platforms let you handle web design without expert help, it is always better to find a marketing team that understands these platforms. You need someone willing to do all the hard work for you and provide a high-quality site that suits you.

Getting Help Today

If you need help with WordPress development in Philadelphia and aren’t sure where to turn, we’re here to help. At SEO Locale, we have a professional team with years of experience supporting small businesses like yours. Please contact us now to learn more about our web design options and to find a platform that makes sense for your online operations.