How to Choose a Website Platform in Today's Busy Market
- Christopher. H
- Sep 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 30
Launching a business without a website in today’s market? It’s like opening a store with no door. But choosing the right website platform isn’t just about design — it’s about future-proofing your business, optimising operations, and connecting directly with your customers.
Let me give you a real example.
An Australian marketplace startup spent over $60,000 building a custom WordPress site with multiple plug-ins, bespoke code, and agency retainers. It looked impressive — until it wasn’t. On mobile, pages took 6+ seconds to load. Customers couldn’t check out easily. Their SEO rankings flatlined because of bloated code and missing schema. Worse? Every update needed a developer — their in-house team couldn’t touch it.
They scrapped it within a year.
When they moved to Wix, their new site launched in under four weeks, cost less than 25% of the original, loaded in under 2 seconds on mobile, and was fully manageable by their tech manager without external help. More control. Faster sales. Better growth.
Sometimes, simple is smarter.
Let's unpack it, step by step.
What Is a Website Platform?
Think of your website platform as your business’s digital foundation. It’s the software that powers everything people see and do on your website — from booking to buying to blog reading.
Here’s what this includes:
Design templates
Hosting and storage
Content management system (CMS)
E-commerce or booking tools
Integrations with email, CRM, and SEO tools
Each of these can work for you — or against you — depending on the platform you choose.
Why It Matters
Here’s why I recommend every founder take this seriously:
Your website is your first impression
Customers decide in seconds if they trust you. A clunky or slow site? That’s a dealbreaker.
It affects everything from SEO to sales
Google rankings, email integrations, checkout flows — all hinge on your platform.
Redoing it costs more than doing it right
I’ve seen founders spend $5,000+ rebuilding on a better platform after just 6 months.
It sets the tone for your tech stack
Pick the wrong one, and you’ll need patches and plugins forever. Pick the right one, and growth becomes seamless.
Real-World Example
One founder came to us with a custom WordPress site for their skincare line, that took 12 seconds to load. After moving to Wix and applying basic design principles, the bounce rate dropped 35%, and conversions tripled within 60 days.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you choose a platform, you need clarity on:
Your business model (eCommerce? Services? Booking?)
What actions you want customers to take
Your product or service offering
Your budget (monthly and upfront)
How comfortable you are with tech (or if you’ll hire someone)
How will you manage your customers details
Having these ready upfront will save you hours later and reduce mistakes.
How to Choose a Website Platform:
Step-by-Step
Step 1: Know What Features You Actually Need
Do you need:
A booking calendar?
eCommerce checkout?
Blog and SEO tools?
CRM integration?
What automations do you need?
How many forms and what will they do?
Are you building a community? How will they interact?
Will people download any information?
Step 2: Choose the Right Platform Type
There are 3 main types:
All-in-One Builders: Wix, Squarespace (best for most founders)
Hosted CMS: WordPress.org + hosting (great for custom needs)
Custom Platforms: Built from scratch (expensive and slow to launch)
We recommend Wix for 95% of startups. It’s affordable, fast, and requires zero coding.
Step 3: Compare Costs and Plans
Wix pricing starts around $18/month for startups. WordPress varies based on themes, plugins, and hosting. Avoid custom platforms unless you’re funded.
Step 4: Check Template and SEO Capability
Look for:
Mobile-responsive templates
Fast loading speeds
Built-in SEO controls (Wix has these)
Step 5: Test Before You Build
Sign up for a free trial. Play with the backend. See how intuitive it feels.
Wix has thousands of templates ready to edit and use. There is also Wix’s AI site builder to launch a first version in minutes.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Time Investment (DIY)
4–10 hours to get your first version live
Cost Range
Wix Starter Plan: $18–$29/month
WordPress (hosting + plugins): $10–$100/month
Custom Developer: $3,000+ upfront
Budget Tip:
Start with an all-in-one tool (like Wix) and only upgrade when the business outgrows it.
Common Mistakes Founders Make
Starting with WordPress without tech experience
You’ll waste hours managing plugins, updates, and weird bugs.
Choosing design over performance
That beautiful theme doesn’t matter if your site takes 10 seconds to load.
Overbuilding before validating
Get something live. You can always refine it.
What to Do Right Now
✅ Book a call with Noize
We love Wix Studio and can offer free trials or refer a trusted builder [Noize.com.au]
✅ Get the full StartUp Deck
Each deck comes with a set of strategy cards for creating a comprehensive website including what you need for a high performing website [theStartUpDeck.com]
COMING SOON in 2026...
✅ Download our free business tools and guides from ProDesk.com
The Bottom Line
A great website doesn’t start with a designer. It starts with the right foundation.
Choose a platform that scales with you, not against you.
Start now. It’s easier than migrating later.
FAQs
Do I need a website if I use Instagram or Facebook?
Yes. Those platforms can change anytime. Your website is your owned asset.
Is Wix good for SEO?
Yes. Wix has improved massively and now includes built-in SEO controls and fast speeds.
Should I hire a designer or do it myself?
Start with DIY. Use tools like Wix's AI builder. If you scale or need customisation, hire later.
Can I sell products on Wix?
Absolutely. Wix has eCommerce tools built in with payment and inventory systems.
What if I outgrow my platform?
Then you migrate — but do it once you're profitable, not before.
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