Another week, another ‘WordPress killer’ platform launch.
WordPress is boring, WordPress is too hard to understand.
It’s not flashy like Squarespace. It doesn’t have all the Wix marketing. It’s not the brand new kid on the block and make you feel like a design genius like Framer.
But after building websites for Brisbane businesses for over 10 years, I’ve learned that boring is often the best.
Why? Because I’ve watched too many businesses get started on platforms that weren’t right for them and had too many limitations.
The Platform Graveyard I’ve Witnessed
Look, I’ve been in the design industry for 25+ years. I’ve watched so many “revolutionary” platforms just disappear. Adobe Muse? Gone. Google Web Designer? Dead. Microsoft FrontPage? Discontinued. Google’s Business Profile website builder? Gone as of March 2024.
These were all platforms aimed to help small businesses DIY their sites. Each one left businesses scrambling to rebuild from scratch when they shut down.
Each one promised to change everything. Each one left businesses scrambling to rebuild from scratch when they shut down.
WordPress? It’s been kicking along since 2003. Powers nearly half the internet. It’s not sexy, but it’s reliable.
Here’s how I explain it to my clients: your website isn’t just another expense – it’s a business asset. You wouldn’t rent office space without a proper lease, right? So why build your entire online presence on a platform that might vanish and leave you stranded?
Why Businesses Need WordPress (Not Pretty Builders)
Real Ownership vs Rental Agreements
I had a small business talk to me last year. They’d dropped $1,500 on a Squarespace site that looked good. But they couldn’t export anything, couldn’t switch hosting, and were stuck paying monthly fees forever.
WordPress? You own the lot. Your content, your design, your data. Don’t like your hosting company? Move. Want to add something new? Add it. Need a redesign? Do it without starting over.
Why this matters for local businesses:
- No one’s holding your website hostage
- Subscription prices can’t suddenly double on you
- Your site grows with your business, not against it
- You’re in control
The Flexibility Factor
I’ve spoken to businesses that needed to add software to their website. Wix or Squarespace? Even with a developer, they’re just not built for these types of integrations.
With WordPress and the right developer, you can integrate appointment booking, client portals, and document sharing. Set up membership sites. Say later on a business wants to add another feature, it can easily be built in.
And SEO? These other platforms have always had limitations. Yes, they’ve improved over time, but even the best developer can’t work around their restrictions. WordPress with the right tools and expertise has consistently allowed small businesses to actually rank well.
Think of it this way: Platform builders are like rental cars. Even if you hire the best mechanic, you can’t modify them beyond what the rental company allows.
WordPress is like owning your own car. With the right mechanic, you can upgrade it, customise it, make it work exactly how your business needs it to work.
SEO Reality Check
Here’s what those pretty platform demos don’t tell you: their SEO capabilities are more limited compared to WordPress.
Don’t get me wrong – Wix and Squarespace have improved their SEO tools significantly in recent years. They now offer basic meta tags, clean URLs, and mobile optimisation. But when it comes to serious SEO control, there are still gaps.
WordPress SEO advantages:
- Complete control over technical SEO elements
- Advanced SEO plugins that go beyond the basics
- Better site speed optimisation options
- Flexible URL structures and content organisation
- Full access to code for advanced customisations
The limitations you’ll hit: Platform builders handle the basics well, but when businesses need advanced SEO features like structured data, custom redirects, or technical optimisations, you often hit walls. WordPress gives you the tools and flexibility to implement whatever SEO strategy your business needs.
The “WordPress is Hard” Myth
“But Amanda, isn’t WordPress too complicated for us?”
Biggest myth ever. Modern WordPress is dead easy – often easier than the so-called “simple” platforms.
Reality check:
- Updating content: A well-built WordPress site makes this as easy as editing a Word doc
- Adding new pages: Point, click, done
- Writing blog posts: As simple as writing in Word
- Adding photos: Drag them in, job done
The difference is WordPress doesn’t hide its power behind dumbed-down menus. When you eventually need to do something clever (and businesses always do), a properly set up WordPress site can handle it.
The WordPress Ecosystem
This is where WordPress absolutely destroys every other platform. The ecosystem.
Need online shop? WooCommerce sorts you out. Booking system? Dozens of options. Member areas? Easy. Need to connect with your existing business tools? There’s probably already a solution or the ability to do it is available.
For local businesses, this means:
- Your website grows as your business grows
- You’re not stuck with whatever the platform decided to include
- Solutions exist for problems you haven’t even thought of yet
- You can compete with the big guys using the same tools
The Real Cost Breakdown
“But WordPress seems more expensive upfront.”
Let me show you the actual numbers for a typical small business based on 2025 pricing:
Platform Builder (Squarespace/Wix) – 5 Years:
- Monthly fees: $30 x 60 months = $1,800
- Premium apps you’ll need: $15/month x 60 = $900
- Rebuilds when you hit limitations: $1,500
- Total: $4,200 (and you still own nothing)
WordPress Website – 5 Years:
- Professional build: starting at $2,800
- Good hosting: $20/month x 60 = $1,200
- Hosting & maintenance: $90/month x 60 = $5,400
- Total: $9,400 (and you own everything)
Yes, WordPress costs more when done properly. But your WordPress site actually gets more valuable over time. Platform sites? You’re renting forever.
When I Don’t Recommend WordPress
Look, I’m not completely WordPress-obsessed. Sometimes other platforms make sense.
If you need something online tomorrow and it’s genuinely just a placeholder, grab a Squarespace template. If your business is dead simple with zero growth plans and you’re happy staying completely non-technical, Wix might do the job. And if budget is seriously tight right now and you just need something basic, these will do the job.
Shopify’s brilliant if you’re purely e-commerce with complex inventory needs or you need specific features they do really well.
But honestly? For most local businesses, WordPress gives you the best mix of flexibility, ownership, value for money, and future-proofing.
Working with a Local WordPress Developer
There’s something to be said for working with someone local. I understand the challenges businesses face here. We’re in the same time zone for calls and updates. And you can actually check my local referrals.
More importantly, it’s about long-term thinking. I get to know your business as it grows. There’s a consistent approach to improvements. No worries about overseas support suddenly disappearing. It’s a real ongoing relationship, not just a transaction. I’ve heard so many times how a small business has been left high and dry by an overseas contractor. Or they just didn’t understand what the business needed.
Making the Right Choice
After building hundreds of websites for local businesses, here’s my honest advice.
Go with WordPress if you want to actually own your website, you’re planning to grow your business, you need flexibility for future changes, you want the best long-term value, or you need proper SEO that actually works.
Stick with a platform builder if you need something quick and temporary, your needs are genuinely simple and won’t change, or you’d rather pay monthly forever than invest upfront.
Ready to Talk WordPress?
Every business is different, and your website should show that. Whether you’re starting fresh or thinking about moving from another platform, I’d love to chat about how WordPress might work for your specific situation.
I offer a free 30-minute discovery call where we can talk about your business goals, current website headaches, and whether WordPress makes sense for you. No pressure, just a proper conversation about what might work best.
You can get in contact with me, or check out some of the WordPress sites I’ve built if you want to see examples first.
I’ve been building WordPress websites for over 10 years now, combining that with 25+ years of graphic design experience. Based in Daisy Hill, I work with small to medium businesses across Brisbane & Queensland to create websites that actually work for their business goals.
