Which Website Platform is Best: WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace?
Which Website Platform is Best? If you’re a business owner trying to choose the best website platform, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress are the big three names you’ll hear the most. Each platform has its place, but if you’re looking for serious performance, flexibility, and long-term growth, WordPress is hands down the best option. Here’s why we recommend WordPress at Hands Free Marketing, especially for New Zealand businesses looking to get found online and scale sustainably.
1. SEO Superiority
If you want your website to be found on Google, your platform’s SEO capabilities matter. WordPress gives you full control over every aspect of SEO, from URLs and headings to plugins like RankMath and Yoast that guide you step-by-step. Wix and Squarespace offer basic SEO tools, but they’re often limited and don’t give you full access to the technical features that help your site rank higher. In competitive industries, this can make or break your visibility.
SEO Hawke’s Bay
2. You Own Everything
WordPress is open-source, which means the site is 100% yours. You can host it wherever you like, back it up, migrate it, or scale it without worrying about platform limitations. Wix and Squarespace are closed platforms. You’re renting space from them. If their prices go up, if features are removed, or if you ever want to move your site elsewhere, you’re stuck with a painful rebuild.
3. Unlimited Functionality
With WordPress, you’re never boxed in. Need a booking calendar, member portal, e-commerce store, podcast feed, directory, multilingual site, or integration with custom tools? WordPress has thousands of plugins and themes to make it happen. Wix and Squarespace are improving, but they’re still limited in what they can do beyond the basics.
4. Designed to Grow With You
Many people start with Wix or Squarespace because they’re easy. But as your business grows, you may find yourself outgrowing their capabilities. WordPress is scalable from day one. Whether you’re a startup or a nationwide brand, it can handle the traffic, the complexity, and the integrations you need. You won’t need to rebuild your site just because you’ve leveled up.
5. Built for Speed & Performance
With the right setup, WordPress can be blazing fast. You have full control over hosting, caching, content delivery networks (CDNs), and performance plugins. This is crucial in NZ where rural areas often have slower internet speeds. Faster sites mean better user experience and higher conversion rates. Wix and Squarespace control the backend, and you have limited ability to speed things up.
6. True Customisation
WordPress gives you full creative freedom. Your site can look and function exactly how you want it. At Hands Free Marketing, we use premium builders like Thrive Themes and Elementor to give our clients the best of both worlds: drag-and-drop ease with complete design control. With Wix and Squarespace, you’re limited to the templates and design boundaries they set.
7. Better Value in the Long Run
Yes, WordPress may cost a little more upfront for design and setup. But in the long run, it gives you better SEO, more control, and far more flexibility than any “quick and easy” builder can offer. You own your platform, and you’re building an asset — not just a pretty page.
Conclusion: WordPress Wins
If you’re serious about your business and want your website to grow with you, WordPress is the clear winner. At Hands Free Marketing, we help businesses across Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand build smart, fast, and future-proof websites on WordPress. Whether you’re starting fresh or ready to upgrade from Wix or Squarespace, we’re here to help.
Want to talk about your next website project? Get in touch
👉 Book your free 15-minute consult
📞 027 590 9421
📧 jevon@handsfreemarketing.com
🌐 Web Design Hawke’s Bay