Which website builder should I use?

Why Hosting + WordPress Is Often Cheaper and More Flexible Than Wix or Squarespace

When building a website, you have two main options:

1. Using a website builder like Wix or Squarespace

2. Using a web hosting provider (like Hostinger) with WordPress.org

While website builders may seem easier, hosting + WordPress is often the cheaper and more flexible option, especially for long-term growth and customization.

Website Builders: Wix and Squarespace

Wix

Overview:
Wix is a user-friendly website builder known for its drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for users without technical expertise.

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Intuitive design tools suitable for beginners.

• AI-Powered Design: Wix's AI can help generate a website based on your preferences. Wix Pricing

• All-in-One Solution: Includes hosting, domain registration, and design tools.

Cons:

• Limited Flexibility: Less customizable compared to WordPress.

• Higher Long-Term Costs: Pricing plans range from $17 to $39/month, which can add up over time. Wix Pricing

• Platform Lock-In: Difficult to migrate your site to another platform.

Ideal For:
Individuals or small businesses looking for a quick, easy-to-manage website without the need for extensive customization.

• Pricing: $16–$35/month for premium plans

• Pros:

  • Drag-and-drop simplicity

  • Templates and apps included

  • Good for small portfolios or personal websites

• Cons:

  • Limited customization and scalability

  • Can get expensive with apps or e-commerce features

  • Harder to migrate if you want to switch platforms

Squarespace

Overview:
Squarespace is a website builder renowned for its sleek, professionally designed templates and ease of use.

Pros:

• Stunning Templates: High-quality, mobile-responsive designs.

• Integrated Features: Built-in e-commerce, blogging, and analytics tools. Squarespace Pricing

• AI Design Assistance: Squarespace's Blueprint AI can help design your website based on your inputs. Blueprint AI

Cons:

• Limited Customization: Less flexible than WordPress.

• Higher Costs: Plans range from $16 to $99/month, which may be expensive for some users. Squarespace Pricing

• Transaction Fees: E-commerce plans include transaction fees, which can add up. Squarespace Pricing

Ideal For:
Creative professionals and small businesses seeking a visually appealing website with integrated features and minimal setup.

• Pricing: $18–$40/month for personal/pro plans

• Pros:

  • Sleek, professional templates

  • Easy to use, minimal setup

  • Built-in e-commerce and blogging features

• Cons:

  • Less flexible than WordPress for custom design

  • Monthly fees add up over time

  • Limited plugin ecosystem

Hosting + WordPress.org

WordPress with Hosting Platforms (e.g., Hostinger)

Overview:
WordPress is a powerful content management system (CMS) that, when paired with a reliable hosting provider like Hostinger, offers unparalleled flexibility and control over your website.

Pros:

• Full Customization: Access to thousands of themes and plugins allows for a tailored design and functionality.

• Scalability: Easily upgrade your site as your business grows.

• Cost-Effective: Hosting plans start as low as $2.49/month, with the ability to create multiple websites under one account. Hostinger Pricing

• Ownership: Complete control over your website's content and data.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: Requires a basic understanding of website management.

• Maintenance: Regular updates and backups are necessary to ensure security and performance.

Ideal For:
Businesses seeking a unique, scalable, and cost-effective website solution that reflects their brand's identity.

Hostinger (Example)

• Pricing: Starting around $2–$10/month for hosting + domain (one-time or yearly)

• Pros:

  • Full control over design and functionality

  • Highly customizable with themes and plugins

  • Scalable as your business grows

  • One-time purchases for premium themes/plugins instead of recurring fees

• Cons:

  • Requires initial setup and maintenance (or outsourcing)

  • Slight learning curve compared to drag-and-drop builders

Other hosting options include (not familiar with):

• Bluehost: A well-known provider offering shared hosting, WordPress-optimized plans, VPS and dedicated servers. Their shared plans start very affordably.

• SiteGround: Strong support, WordPress features, and reliability — good for sites where uptime & service matter.

• DreamHost: Simple, straightforward hosting with a focus on transparency and ease — suited for personal blogs or smaller projects.

• GoDaddy: Very large domain registrar & hosting provider; easy entry-point if you already use them for domains.

Why Hosting + WordPress Is Cheaper in the Long Run

• Hosting + WordPress is more cost-effective than monthly fees for builders, especially if you want premium features.

• You own your website files, making it easier to migrate or expand.

• Paid plugins/themes are usually one-time fees, unlike recurring subscription apps on Wix/Squarespace.

• Great for high-end projects with customization, scalability, and professional branding.

Bonus Section: Free options for starters.

Bonus Section: Free Options for Starters

If you’re not ready to invest in a full website yet, there are free, beginner-friendly alternatives like Beacons and Linktree.
Both platforms let you create simple, one-page websites to share links, products, or contact information — perfect for connecting your social media presence to key content.

However, there are some important limitations and distinctions:

Search Visibility:
Linktree and Beacons pages can be indexed by Google, but they rarely rank in search results because they’re hosted on shared domains (e.g. linktr.ee/yourname) and not optimized for SEO like standalone websites.
They’re more suited for social media linking, not long-term website building or discoverability.

Selling Digital Products:

• Beacons allows creators to sell digital products directly (like ebooks, guides, and digital art).

  • Fees: Beacons charges a 9% transaction fee on free plans.

  • With a Pro plan (about €10/month), the platform takes 0% per sale (aside from standard payment processor fees).

  • also offers email marketing

• Linktree also supports digital product sales and tipping via integrations (e.g., PayPal, Square, Shopify), but it’s less robust than Beacons for e-commerce.

  Use Case Recommendation:

  • Ideal for social-media-first creators, freelancers, or early-stage entrepreneurs.

  • Not a substitute for a custom website if you want SEO visibility, a blog, or full control.

For anyone serious about building a professional, scalable, and brand-aligned website, hosting + WordPress.org is often the smarter choice. While Wix and Squarespace are convenient, they come with higher long-term costs and limited flexibility.

By pairing a reliable host like Hostinger with WordPress.org, you get full control, cost efficiency, and freedom to design a website that truly reflects your brand.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. These links help support my work and allow me to continue creating content. Thank you for your support!