Choosing a Website Platform

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Website platform -it’s an important decision for your blog or website? But… first of all, what is a platform?

A website platform allows you to build a website without needing to know how to write code. It provides the infrastructure needed to create a website. Deciding on a platform is important because different platforms will have varying capabilities.

How do you choose a Hosting Platform?

There are some important things to consider when comparing platforms. Here is a short list:

• Cost – make sure you consider which tier your website will need to operate
• Uptime – Uptime is the time the platform is live. Some platforms are notorious for “going down”. This means no one will be able to visit your website.
• Features – Does the platform have all the capabilities you need, can you add additional functionality as it is required.
• Security – is it safe from hackers, can you make it more safe with added protection.
• Adaptability – will it grow with your blog.
• Ownership – Do you own your website and can you move it to another platform or host.
• Advertising – Are you able to put third party advertising on the site, if it’s important to you.
• What is the aim of your site???
• How often will you be adding or changing content.

Top 6 Website Platforms

All the platforms I have included in this story are reputable, stable platforms. The one you prefer will depend on your anticipated needs.

I have personally used two of these platforms for my websites and been very happy. I have set clients up on the other platforms with great success. Everyones needs will be different.

WordPress.org

WordPress is the most flexible website platform. It comes with just the most basic framework of a site and is fully adaptable to suit your needs. Customisation of your site is achieved through adding a theme and plugins.

Because of this basic framework and infinate flexibility it is also the more difficult platform to use when building a website. That being said, there is no coding required and it isn’t too difficult. Guides like this one or Youtube tutorials are all you will need to build a site.

Approximately 40% of all websites use a WordPress platform!  This popularity means it has the most available plugins and the most flexibility. You can rest assured you will never “outgrow” wordpress. Plus everyone in the tech world knows how to use WordPress so it is easy to get assistance.

As wordpress is such a popular platform, most hosting companies will have a “one click” download for setting up the platform.

I should point out that WordPress comes in two varieties, wordpress.com and wordpress.org. The information I am providing here is for WordPress.org, the FREE platform. It’s not often that the best option is free, but this is one of those times.

WordPress.org is the only platform which you can use to have a website that is 100% owned by YOU! You can earn income from placing advertising on the site. You own this little piece of cyberspace and it’s FREE!

The best things in life are free!

COCO CHANEL

WordPress.org Cost

COST = $0

WordPress.org really is free! There is no charge for the platform and no “tiers” to choose from. This platform is a free, open-source blogging platform that gets its functionality from add-ons such as Themes and Plugins.

WordPress would be my first choice of platform for any business. If you are starting a blog, WordPress would be the ONLY platform I would consider. For any other type of business the platform you choose comes down to personal preference, required features and technical abilities.

If your decision is made it’s time to move on to the next stage. Setting up WordPress on Bluehost.

If it’s not a monetised blog you’re planning on operating, keeping reading.

What other Website Platforms can be used?

If you don’t want to use WordPress I understand, it can be a little daunting. Which ever platform you use it is important that you are comfortable on the backend adding content and making alterations to the site. I have put together a list of other reputable platforms that I would totally recommend if you’re building a more static website. These are listed below. I will also explain the benefits of each platform.

• WIX
• Hostgator
• SquareSpace
• Weebly
• WordPress.com

Wix

Wix is a very intuitive platform that makes it easy for beginners to get a website live fast! You can drag and drop elements or delete them easily to customise your website.

To get started with WIX you simply provide an email address and password. You are then directed to some questions that outline the purpose of the site. You will also choose additional pages or elements you would like included.

Each step has simple instructions so your website will be live quickly and includes all the sophisticated apps your business will need for functionality.

Importantly, WIX has eCommerce ability so you can sell products online. You can also run a subscription site, provide paid services or run a forum.

Great uptime and customer service, mobile friendly sites.

Wix Cost

COST $0 – $58 Australia Dollar.

The free site includes WIX branding and advertising, so I’m not sure if you would really choose this option. If you would like to remove the advertising and open up more features the cost is $32 per month. The pricing continues to increase depending on the needs of the website.

Hostgator

In the same style as WIX, hostgator allows you to build a website quickly and with no previous knowledge.

Hostgator relies on no third party tools and includes a large range of beautiful themes suitable for all styles of websites.

For beginners, another positive attribute is Hostgator is literally a one stop shop. Choose your domain name, get your website hosting and your website platform, all with Hostgator. Plus, your domain name is free for the first year. It couldn’t be simplier.

Another important attribute of any website platform is “uptime”. Hostgator has great uptime, so you can be confident your website will remain live!

The platform is also a good choice if you are selling digital or physical products.

Hostgator doesn’t have as many apps as WIX or a free plan.

However, I really like that you can easily swap between themes with hostgator. So you can set up your blog or website, and still change your mind about the style weeks, months or years after it goes live.

Hostgator Cost

COST From $2.75 Australia Dollar*

Hostgator allows ecommerce facilities with all of their plans. This is excellent news, as some platforms require a premium tier before payments can be take.

*Introductory offer.

Squarespace

Squarespace features a drag and drop editor with templates to suit most business types. The platform provides everything that is needed for a complete website. Its easy to setup and can be live in no time. If you haven’t registered a domain name or organised hosting you can even skip that step too.

Squarespace is ideal for a small eCommerce shop selling products either physical or downloadable. It can be used to highlight portfolios or personal blogs (not monetised blogs)

This is not really suitable for a monetised blog as you are “renting” the space monthly. You are not able to sell advertising space on the site. This is important to understand if are blog with the intention of making money. WordPress.org is the best option for this.

SquareSpace Cost

There isn’t a free version of this platform. The pricing is $16- $59 per month.

Weebly

Weebly is a completely free website platform. So if this is your first attempt at building a website this might be a cheap option. The downside is that it’s more outdated than most other platforms. There also isn’t as much customization as other platforms. This will limit growth. If your aim was to have a hobby blog, or to use it for a community or sporting group this may be a good option.

There is good guidance for beginners, it teaches SEO principals and key word optimization.

In the long run thought this platform will be limiting and I can’t really recommend putting time and effort into using it. Weebly Website

Weebly Cost

Totally Free although you can add a few extra’s like domain name. None of these will assist the platforms capabilities. Cost $0 – $30 p/y

WordPress.com

This web platform always trick new players thinking they are signing up for “the wordpress”. WordPress.com is a third party integration of the .org version. In other words, imagine that a company is selling you a license to a managed section of the open source platform. The .com limits what you can do with the site and you can’t use other open source code such as widget and plugins.

You also don’t own your site and are not self hosted so you can’t monetise the site.

Plus, unlike wordpress.org, it’s not free. It’s licensed each year.

WordPress.com Cost

The cost of the hosted version of WordPress is from $5 – $59 per month

Website Platform Conclusion

If your intention is to start a monetised blog with the intention of growing the best option is the free option of WordPress.org.

If you are starting a website for a charity, sporting group or community group, the cheapest and easiest option would be Weebly.

Wix or Squarespace are both perfectly suited to a small eCommerce business.

I hope this has helped you to understand some of the different platform options available. There are many more but I have chosen some of the more popular choices that have different prices points and appeal to different target markets.

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