If you run a small business in the UK and you are trying to get a website sorted, you have almost certainly landed on the same three names: WordPress, Wix and Squarespace. Everyone recommends a different one, usually the one they happen to use, and none of them explain why.
This guide compares WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace the way a busy business owner actually needs it: what each one costs, how hard it is to run, how well it ranks on Google, and which one is most likely to turn a visitor into an enquiry. No jargon, and no push toward whichever platform pays the biggest affiliate fee.
The Quick Answer
For most UK small businesses, WordPress gives you the most flexibility and the best long term SEO, but it takes more effort to set up. Wix is the easiest to build yourself. Squarespace sits in the middle with the sharpest templates.
If you want to build it yourself over a weekend and you value simplicity above everything, Wix or Squarespace will do the job. If you want a site that grows with the business, ranks well, and is not locked to one company forever, WordPress is the stronger choice. That is why most professional designers, myself included, build on WordPress.
Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress Pricing
Cost is where people get caught out, because the headline price is never the real price. Here is what the WordPress, Wix and Squarespace pricing actually looks like once you strip out the marketing.
Wix: Plans for a business site run from roughly £9 to £22 per month billed annually. Hosting and a basic domain are bundled in. The catch is that the lower tiers carry Wix branding and storage limits, and you cannot move the site off Wix later. You are renting, not owning.
Squarespace: Similar territory, around £12 to £30 per month depending on whether you need commerce features. Hosting is included and the templates look excellent out of the box. Same trade off as Wix: you are tied to their platform for as long as the site lives.
WordPress: The software itself carries no licence fee. You pay for hosting (about £4 to £10 per month) and a domain (about £10 per year for a .co.uk). A designer build on top of that is a one off cost. At John Hitchens Web Design that is a fixed price of £400, delivered in a few days, with no ongoing fees to me and no lock in. You own the site, the hosting and the domain outright.
Over three years, a Wix or Squarespace subscription quietly adds up to more than a one off WordPress build in many cases, and at the end you still do not own anything you can take with you.
Ease of Use: Which Is Simplest to Run?
This is where Wix and Squarespace earn their keep.
Wix uses a drag and drop editor where you place things exactly where you want them on the page. It is the most forgiving builder for someone who has never made a website before.
Squarespace is slightly more structured. You work within polished templates, which means fewer ways to make it look messy, but a little less freedom.
WordPress has a steeper learning curve. Modern page builders have narrowed the gap, but there are more moving parts: hosting, plugins, updates. This is exactly why many owners hand the build to a designer and then update the easy bits (text, photos, blog posts) themselves afterwards. You get the power of WordPress without having to learn the technical side.
Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress SEO
If you want customers to find you on Google, SEO matters more than looks. This is the single biggest reason the WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace question tends to land on WordPress.
WordPress was built with search in mind and, with a plugin like Yoast or Rank Math, gives you full control over titles, meta descriptions, page structure, schema and site speed. It powers over 40% of the web partly because it ranks so well.
Squarespace covers the SEO basics competently and its sites load reasonably fast, but you have less fine control when you want to push harder.
Wix has improved a lot and is no longer the SEO weak spot it once was, but it still gives you the least control of the three and can be slower on mobile.
For a local business trying to rank for terms like “plumber in Leeds” or “accountant near me”, that extra control makes a real difference over time.
Which One Actually Wins You Enquiries?
A website is not a trophy. It exists to turn a stranger into a phone call, a form submission or a booking. On that measure, the platform matters less than the build.
A well structured WordPress site with clear messaging, fast loading and an obvious way to get in touch will beat a beautiful Wix template that buries the contact button every time. The winner is whichever site guides the visitor toward contacting you, and WordPress simply gives a designer the most room to build that in.
WordPress, Wix or Squarespace: How to Decide
Choose Wix if you want to build it yourself, you value simplicity over everything, and you are comfortable renting the site long term.
Choose Squarespace if you want the best looking templates with minimal effort and you are mainly showcasing a portfolio or a simple service.
Choose WordPress if you want a site you own, the best SEO, room to grow, and no monthly platform lock in. If the technical side puts you off, that is exactly what a designer is for.
If you are weighing up WordPress, Wix or Squarespace and you would rather hand the whole thing to someone who does it every day, that is what I do. I build WordPress sites for UK small businesses at one fixed price, with no surprises and no ongoing fees. You can see examples and get in touch here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress better than Wix and Squarespace?
For long term SEO, ownership and flexibility, yes. WordPress gives you more control and does not lock you into one platform. Wix and Squarespace win on being easier to build yourself. The right answer depends on whether you want to run it yourself or have it built and owned outright.
How much does a website cost in the UK?
A professional small business website in the UK typically costs between £400 and £3,000 to build, plus hosting and a domain of around £5 to £15 per month combined. DIY builders like Wix and Squarespace run from roughly £9 to £30 per month with no build fee, but you never own the site.
Can I move my site from Wix or Squarespace to WordPress later?
Not easily. Both Wix and Squarespace are closed platforms, so moving away usually means rebuilding the site from scratch on WordPress. This is worth knowing before you commit, because it is a real cost down the line if you outgrow them.
Do I need a freelance web designer in the UK, or can I do it myself?
If you are confident with technology and have a spare weekend, Wix or Squarespace let you build a basic site yourself. If you want it done properly, ranking on Google and built to bring in enquiries, a freelance web designer in the UK will save you time and get a better result. Fixed price builds start around £400.
Which is best for SEO out of WordPress, Wix and Squarespace?
WordPress gives the most SEO control, with full command over titles, structure, speed and schema through plugins. Squarespace handles the basics well. Wix has improved but still offers the least control. For a business that depends on being found on Google, WordPress has the edge.
Get a Straight Answer for Your Business
Still not sure which platform fits your business? Send me your current site or just tell me what you do, and I will give you an honest view on whether WordPress, Wix or Squarespace makes most sense for you. One fixed price, no jargon, no pressure. Get in touch here and I will take a look.