The main choices: hosted builders, self-hosted software, and code-from-scratch
You have three broad paths to creating a website. Hosted builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify let you design and publish without touching a server — they handle hosting, updates, and backups for you. Self-hosted platforms like WordPress.org, Joomla, and Drupal run on your own web hosting account, giving you more control but requiring you to manage updates and security. Coding from scratch means writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript yourself or hiring a developer to do it, which offers complete freedom but demands technical skill or money.
Most people starting out choose a hosted builder because the setup is fastest and the monthly cost is predictable. If you already know you want WordPress specifically, or if you need features that hosted builders don't offer, self-hosted software makes sense. Coding from scratch is rare unless you have very specific needs or a developer on staff.
Key Takeaways
- Hosted builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) include hosting and handle technical maintenance, making them the fastest route for most people.
- Self-hosted platforms (WordPress.org, Joomla) run on your own hosting account and cost less per month but require you to manage updates and security.
- Your choice depends on budget, technical comfort, and whether you need features that only one platform offers.
- Most hosted builders charge between $10 and $40 per month; self-hosted platforms charge $3 to $15 per month for hosting plus any premium themes or plugins you buy.
Hosted builders: the fastest way to launch
A hosted builder is a website platform that includes hosting, so you sign up, design your site in a visual editor, and publish — all in one place. Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, GoDaddy Website Builder, and Weebly are the most common. You pay a monthly subscription, usually between $10 and $40 depending on features, and the company handles server maintenance, SSL certificates, backups, and software updates.
The trade-off is flexibility. You design within the platform's templates and tools, so you cannot move your site to a different platform without rebuilding it. If you later want features the builder does not offer, you may have to start over. Most hosted builders also charge extra for things like advanced email marketing, custom domains, or removing their branding from your site.
Hosted builders work well for small businesses, portfolios, online stores under a certain size, and anyone who wants to launch without learning technical details. Shopify is the most popular choice for selling products online. Squarespace and Wix are common for portfolios and service businesses. GoDaddy Website Builder is often the cheapest entry point.
Self-hosted platforms: more control, more responsibility
Self-hosted software like WordPress.org, Joomla, or Drupal runs on a web hosting account you rent separately. You download the software, install it on your hosting, and manage everything yourself — updates, security patches, backups, and plugin compatibility. This costs less per month (hosting is typically $3 to $15) but requires more technical knowledge or willingness to learn.
WordPress.org is by far the most popular self-hosted option. It powers roughly 43% of all websites because it is free, flexible, and has thousands of free and paid themes and plugins. If you want to add a shopping cart, email newsletter, booking system, or custom feature, there is usually a plugin for it. You can also hire a developer to build custom code.
The catch is that you are responsible for keeping WordPress, your plugins, and your hosting secure. If you do not update regularly, your site becomes vulnerable to hackers. You also need to arrange backups yourself, though most hosting companies offer one-click backup tools. If something breaks, you cannot call a support team — you troubleshoot it yourself or hire someone to fix it.
Self-hosted platforms make sense if you want to own your data, need features that hosted builders do not offer, plan to grow significantly, or want to avoid being locked into one company's ecosystem.
Comparing cost: what you actually pay
| Platform Type | Monthly Cost Range | What's Included | Hidden or Extra Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosted builders (Wix, Squarespace) | $10–$40 | Hosting, domain, templates, email | Premium apps, advanced features, custom domain often extra |
| Self-hosted (WordPress.org) | $3–$15 for hosting | Web server space, email accounts | Premium themes ($20–$100), plugins ($0–$500+), SSL certificate (often free) |
| Ecommerce builders (Shopify) | $29–$299 | Hosting, templates, payment processing | Transaction fees (0.5–2%), apps, premium themes |
| Coding from scratch | $5–$50+ for hosting | Web server space only | Developer time ($50–$200+ per hour), SSL, domain, maintenance |
Specific platforms to consider
Wix is beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop design and a free tier (with Wix branding). Plans start at $13 per month. It works well for portfolios and small businesses but is harder to migrate away from if you outgrow it.
Squarespace is known for beautiful templates and is popular with designers and creatives. Plans start at $15 per month. It includes hosting, a domain, and email, but customization beyond templates requires CSS knowledge.
Shopify is built for selling products. Plans start at $29 per month, and it handles payment processing, inventory, and shipping integrations. You pay transaction fees on top of the monthly fee.
WordPress.org (not WordPress.com) is free software. You pay only for hosting ($3–$15 per month) and any premium themes or plugins you choose. Bluehost, SiteGround, and Kinsta are popular hosting providers that work well with WordPress.
GoDaddy Website Builder is the cheapest hosted option, starting at $10 per month, but offers fewer design options and integrations than Wix or Squarespace.
How to decide between them
Start by asking yourself three questions. First, do you want to sell products online? If yes, Shopify is the standard choice. If you are selling a small number of items, Wix and Squarespace have built-in shopping carts. Second, how much do you want to customize? If you want total control and do not mind learning, WordPress.org. If you want beautiful templates with minimal technical work, Squarespace or Wix. Third, what is your budget? Hosted builders cost more per month but have no hidden costs. Self-hosted costs less monthly but requires you to buy plugins or hire help.
If you are unsure, start with a hosted builder. The setup is fastest, the learning curve is gentlest, and you can always move to WordPress later if you need more control. Most hosted builders let you export your content, though you will need to rebuild the design on the new platform.
What happens after you choose a platform
Once you pick a platform, you will need a domain name (the web address like yourname.com). Most hosted builders include a free domain for the first year or let you register one through them. With self-hosted platforms, you register a domain separately, usually through the hosting company or a registrar like Namecheap or Google Domains.
You will also need to decide on a design template or theme. Hosted builders come with templates built in. Self-hosted platforms have thousands of free and paid themes available. Most people choose a template that is close to what they want and customize it with their own colors, fonts, and content rather than designing from scratch.
After that, you add your content — text, images, pages — and publish. The time this takes depends on how much content you have and how much you customize the design. A simple five-page site can go live in a few hours. A complex site with many products or pages takes weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my website from one platform to another later?
Moving from a hosted builder to another platform is difficult because the builder stores your site in its own format. You can export text and images, but you will need to rebuild the design on the new platform. Moving from self-hosted WordPress to another self-hosted platform is easier — plugins exist to export your content and import it elsewhere.
Do I need to know how to code to build a website?
No. Hosted builders and WordPress themes let you design and publish without writing code. If you want to customize beyond what templates offer, basic CSS knowledge helps, but it is not required. Self-hosted WordPress has a large community and thousands of tutorials for non-technical users.
Which platform is best for SEO?
All modern platforms handle the basics of SEO — clean URLs, mobile responsiveness, and fast loading. WordPress.org has more advanced SEO plugins and gives you more control over technical SEO details. Hosted builders are simpler but sufficient for most small businesses. The bigger factor is the quality of your content, not the platform.
What if I want to start free and upgrade later?
Wix and WordPress.com offer free tiers with limitations (Wix includes their branding, WordPress.com limits customization). These are good for testing before you pay. WordPress.org is free software, but you pay for hosting from day one. Shopify does not have a free tier but offers a 14-day trial.
How much does it cost to hire someone to build my website?
A freelancer using a hosted builder might charge $500 to $2,000 for a simple site. A WordPress developer typically charges $1,500 to $5,000 or more depending on complexity. Agencies charge more. If you have a tight budget, building it yourself on a hosted builder is the most affordable route.