For most small businesses, WordPress is the more flexible choice: the software is free, you can switch host and agency, and you have full control over SEO. Website builders like Wix or Squarespace are quicker to get started with, but they tie you to the provider. The trade-off with WordPress is that you have to take care of updates and security yourself, or have someone do it for you.
Who uses what
According to W3Techs (as of October 2026), WordPress runs 39.6% of all websites worldwide. Among websites with an identifiable CMS, WordPress has a market share of 58.3%.
| System | Share of all websites | Share among CMS |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | 39.6% | 58.3% |
| Shopify | 5.3% | 7.9% |
| Wix | 4.2% | 6.2% |
| Squarespace | 2.4% | 3.6% |
| Jimdo | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Being this widespread has its advantages: lots of extensions, lots of specialists and lots of know-how online.
What does what cost?
Website builders work on a subscription basis. According to Experte.de (2026), the standard plans from Wix, Squarespace and Jimdo mostly cost between around 10 and 35 euros a month, with shop plans costing more. For Switzerland, the providers show their own prices in francs, which may differ. Check them directly with the provider. Free versions exist, but they come with ads and without your own domain.
WordPress itself costs nothing. You pay for hosting (around CHF 3 to 30 a month), possibly a premium theme or plugins, and maintenance. If you have the website built for you, you also pay for the project.
The comparison
| Criterion | WordPress | Website builder |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Needs setting up or a specialist | Online in hours |
| Design | Completely free | Within the limits of the templates |
| SEO control | Full, including URLs and structured data | Good, but more limited |
| Switching provider | Free choice of host and agency | Moving means rebuilding |
| Updates and security | Down to you or your agency | Handled by the provider |
| Costs over the years | Hosting plus maintenance | Subscription, rises with features |
When each one fits
A website builder fits if
- you need a simple business card website quickly and cheaply,
- you want to do everything yourself and don't need any special features,
- you don't want to deal with the technical side.
WordPress fits if
- you want to be found on Google in your region and need several pages,
- your website needs to grow with your business,
- you want to stay independent of any one provider,
- someone takes care of updates and security, for example through a maintenance package.
Switching from Wix to WordPress
There's no direct export from Wix to WordPress. Your content can be carried over, but the design and structure are rebuilt. What matters when you move: redirect old addresses to the new ones, so neither Google nor your visitors lose anything.
Sources
- W3Techs: Usage statistics of content management systems
- Beyondweb: Wix vs. WordPress
- Experte.de: Wix prices (in German)
- Experte.de: Squarespace costs (in German)
FAQ
Is WordPress free?
The software is, yes. Costs come from hosting, the domain, possibly premium extensions and maintenance.
Is Wix good for small businesses?
For simple websites, yes. If you need lots of pages, strong local SEO and independence, a website builder is more likely to hit its limits.
Which is better for SEO?
Both can rank well. WordPress gives you more control over URLs, page structure, loading time and structured data. Good content is still what makes the difference.
Can I switch later?
Yes, but moving from a website builder to WordPress means a rebuild. So plan right from the start where you want your website to grow.
Not sure what suits you?
We'll give you honest advice, even if a website builder is enough for you. The initial call is free.