Which Website Builder Works Best in 2025?

If you’re a business owner looking to build or redesign your website, one of the biggest questions you’ll face is: which platform is right for me?

As someone who designs and manages websites across these three - WordPress, Squarespace, and GoDaddy - I’m giving you the real breakdown.

No fluff. Just functionality.

WordPress

Great for the Very Simple or the Very Complex

Let’s start with the most widely used website builder on the internet. WordPress powers over 43% of websites globally, and for good reason - it’s flexible, open-source, and infinitely customizable with plugins.

But in my opinion, WordPress works best for:

  • Basic service-based websites (like construction companies with roughly 5–7 pages)

    • For example: Enclose Construction Solutions - A website I designed through WordPress. Which was perfect for a construction company that needs a homepage, contact page, employment application page, about page, and service pages.

  • Large-scale, complex sites that need custom development

Pros:

  • Thousands of themes and plugins

  • Great for scalability

  • Integrates with nearly everything

Cons:

  • Feels outdated compared to modern builders

  • SEO tools like Semrush start at $129.95/month

  • Email marketing via Mailchimp starts at $13–$20/month

  • Requires 3rd-party integration for newsletters and advanced SEO

Recommendation: WordPress is fine if you’re working with a developer.

Squarespace

Best for Visual Brands, Stores, and Modern Marketing Tools

If you’re launching a blog, storefront, or personal brand, Squarespace is my go-to. The user experience is smooth, the design tools are modern, and the built-in marketing features are unbeatable for the price.

For example: You’re a wellness coach selling digital products, running a blog, and collecting emails for a newsletter? Use Squarespace.

Pros:

  • Gorgeous, mobile-optimized templates

  • Built-in email marketing (plans start at $7/month)

  • SEO and analytics tools included

  • Easier to maintain for non-tech users

Cons:

  • Slightly less flexible than WordPress for custom code

  • Limited app marketplace

Pricing:

Squarespace websites start at

  • $16/month (Personal) or $23/month (Business).

  • Email Campaigns add-on: $7–$68/month depending on volume.

Related: Is Your Website Doing Its Job?

Recommendation: Squarespace is ideal for small-to-mid-sized businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, and product sellers who want everything in one place.

GoDaddy

Budget-Friendly but Very Limited for Customization

GoDaddy Website Builder is popular because it’s easy to start - and it’s bundled with domain and hosting services. But from a designer's standpoint, it’s not very customizable. You’re limited to pre-built templates and block-style layouts, and the design options can feel stiff.

For example: A business that just needs a placeholder site with their hours, services, and a contact form? GoDaddy can work.

Pros:

  • Easy to launch quickly

  • Hosting included

  • Built-in appointment scheduling

Cons:

  • Very limited customization

  • Not ideal for SEO or scaling

  • Not well-suited for creative or visually-driven businesses

Pricing:

GoDaddy website builder starts at

  • $10.99/month (Basic)

  • and goes up to $20.99/month (Commerce plan).

Recommendation: Best for budget-conscious businesses who don’t need much from their site - but may want to upgrade to a more scalable platform later.

My Final Take as a Web Designer

Each platform has its strengths - but what matters most is what your business actually needs.

  • If you’re focused on growth, marketing, sales, and want everything in one place: go Squarespace.

  • If you have a developer and want full control, or only need a few simple pages: go WordPress.

  • If you’re just starting and need a fast online footprint with minimal investment: GoDaddy is fine for now - but be ready to evolve.

Want help figuring out what platform works best for your business goals? Let’s talk. I’ll build a site that works for your brand - not just the platform.


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