"What platform should I use for my website?" It's one of the most common questions we hear from small business owners. After 11 years of working with WordPress, Shopify, Drupal, and custom solutions, here's my honest breakdown of what works best for different business needs.
WordPress: The Versatile Workhorse
Best for: Service businesses, content-heavy sites, blogs, and businesses wanting maximum flexibility
Pros:
- Incredibly flexible and customizable
- Thousands of plugins for added functionality
- Great for SEO when properly configured
- Cost-effective for most small businesses
- Easy to find help and support
Cons:
- Requires regular maintenance and updates
- Can become slow without proper optimization
- Security depends on keeping everything updated
Real Example: We maintain WordPress sites for a private school and several home inspection businesses. The platform's flexibility allows us to create custom solutions for their unique needs while keeping costs reasonable.
Shopify: The E-commerce Specialist
Best for: Online stores, product-based businesses, and companies selling physical or digital goods
Pros:
- Built specifically for e-commerce
- Handles payments, inventory, and shipping
- Excellent mobile shopping experience
- Regular security updates handled automatically
- Great customer support
Cons:
- Monthly fees add up over time
- Limited customization compared to WordPress
- Transaction fees on some payment methods
- Less flexibility for non-e-commerce content
Real Example: Our semitruck parts e-commerce client chose Shopify for its robust inventory management and seamless payment processing. The platform handles their complex product catalog beautifully.
Custom Solutions: When Standard Won't Do
Best for: Businesses with unique requirements that can't be met by standard platforms
Pros:
- Complete control over functionality and design
- No monthly platform fees
- Optimized specifically for your needs
- No plugin dependencies
Cons:
- Higher upfront development costs
- Requires specialized maintenance
- Updates and changes take longer
- Finding qualified help can be challenging
Platform Comparison: The Bottom Line
| Feature |
WordPress |
Shopify |
Custom |
| Setup Cost |
Low |
Medium |
High |
| Monthly Fees |
Low |
Medium-High |
Low |
| Customization |
High |
Medium |
Unlimited |
| Maintenance |
Regular |
Minimal |
Specialized |
| E-commerce |
Good |
Excellent |
Variable |
| SEO Control |
Excellent |
Good |
Excellent |
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choose WordPress if:
- You need a flexible, content-rich website
- You want to control costs
- You plan to blog regularly
- You need custom functionality
Choose Shopify if:
- E-commerce is your primary focus
- You want minimal technical maintenance
- You need robust inventory management
- You're selling internationally
Choose Custom if:
- You have specific requirements no platform can meet
- You have the budget for specialized development
- Your business model is unique
The Maintenance Reality
Regardless of platform choice, all websites need ongoing care:
- WordPress: Regular updates, security monitoring, performance optimization
- Shopify: Theme updates, app management, performance monitoring
- Custom: Specialized maintenance, security updates, feature additions
Getting Started
The right platform depends on your specific business needs, budget, and long-term goals. Consider:
- What's your primary business model?
- How much customization do you need?
- What's your comfort level with technical maintenance?
- What's your budget for both setup and ongoing costs?
Still unsure which platform is right for your business? Rooted in SoIL has experience with all major platforms and can help you make the best choice for your specific needs. Contact us for a free consultation and platform recommendation.
