WordPress is a platform for creating websites, running blogs, and managing content, but not everyone should use it. You can use the alternatives listed here.
WordPress is quite popular for a reason: it’s user-friendly, has lots of features, and lets you customize it to your liking. Additionally, it may work well for SEO.
You may use it to organize, manage, and publish information in a way that attracts visitors if you know what you’re doing.
It functions as a kind of one-stop shop for website creation, e-commerce, blogging, and content management. And perhaps most importantly, it’s free.
But maintaining your WordPress website has disadvantages as well.
You are in charge of your upgrades, security, and backups, start. If you select the incorrect checkbox in the settings section, you can leave yourself open to hackers.
Additionally, because WordPress depends so largely on plugins to give you the functionality you want, you will have to deal with frequent changes.
It can also cause issues for web designers. WordPress’ template-based design may feel constricting to website creators with advanced skills.
On the other hand, if you don’t know how to code, you can suffer without drag and drop functionality.
Finally, WordPress is a platform that can do it all. It excels at a lot of things, but none of them stand out. This suggests that you might require extra functionality in a crucial area.
To help you choose the ideal option for your needs, we’ll look at 25 SEO-friendly WordPress alternatives and group them according to their core functions in this article.
Are you prepared to begin?
Wix
Look no further than Wix if you’re searching for a simple, all-in-one platform that allows for complete customization and doesn’t require third-party websites or plugins.
This service includes everything you require on the Wix platform, including hosting and structured data management. They provide newbies with a step-by-step manual that enables them to build a stunning website with no prior knowledge.
Key Features:
- Full hosting solution.
- No software to self-install.
- Drag-and-drop visual builder.
- Extensions are available.
- Optimized for mobile.
- Blog module.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- A free version is offered.
- Templates and Pre-made designs.
- Subdomains are free with all plans.
- With subscription options, a free custom domain is offered.
- Customer service.
- All-in-one website builder and platform.
Cons:
- Source code is not accessible.
- No way to keep total control of your website like you can with WordPress.
Google Sites
Google Sites, a tool for building wikis and websites, is a free and simple way to create a website.
It seamlessly connects with all other Google products, including Gmail, YouTube, and Fitbit, as it was created by the company that founded the world’s most popular search engine.
With a Google account, there are no costs associated with building, hosting, or maintaining the website.
However, it charges $50 per user each year to connect your website with Google Apps.
Key Features:
- Access and permissions to a page are completely under the creator’s control.
- Access to tools is worldwide.
- It can serve as a fundamental project management tool.
- Several alternatives for web development and implementation.
- Editing in real-time.
- Reduces loading times by using tools for website speed optimization.
Pros:
- Easy to use and quick to get going.
- No cost to use.
- With additional Google products integrated.
Cons:
- Comparatively few features compared to other website builders.
- Possibly incompatible with non-Google apps
- Few opportunities for modification.
- No SEO tools exist, and metadata cannot be changed.
- It is not compatible with Facebook pixels.
Shopify
Shopify, one of the most well-liked e-commerce platforms available, is made to assist you in selling goods.
This provides this choice a significant advantage in the post-COVID world of online buying, especially if your Shopify site is SEO-friendly.
Despite its ability to manage blogging and other specializations, Shopify isn’t the greatest option for anything other than e-commerce requirements.
Key Features:
- Full hosting solution.
- No software to self-install.
- Drag-and-drop visual builder.
- Extensions are available.
- Optimized for mobile.
- Blog module.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- Website builder and Platform in one.
- Templates and premade designs.
- Subdomain is free to use.
- Customer service.
Cons:
- There is no free version offered.
- Source code is not accessible.
- Platform commission charges.
Squarespace
You may quickly establish a website on Squarespace’s fully hosted platform using this all-in-one option. This site builder is simple to use and does not require any prior knowledge.
Squarespace hosts all of its features internally, therefore you can’t utilize custom coding or install third-party extensions.
Although it can be pricey if all you’re doing is running a basic website, building a professional site yourself is a terrific choice for hobbyists and small enterprises.
Key Features:
- Full hosting solution (including video).
- No software to self-install.
- Drag-and-drop visual builder.
- Extensions are available.
- Optimized for mobile.
- Blog module.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- Integrated platform and website builder.
- Offers a free version.
- templates and premade designs.
- Subdomains are free with all plans.
- Available with an annual subscription, and a free custom domain.
- Customer service.
Cons:
- No possibility to maintain complete control of your website like you can with WordPress.
- There is no customized coding.
- Source code is not accessible.
- No extensions from other sources.
Joomla
Joomla is an open-source content management system, much like WordPress (CMS).
Even though Joomla is free, site hosting is not.
The all-encompassing capability of Joomla makes it appealing for running any style of website, including blogs, e-commerce, portfolios, and informational websites.
Key Features:
- Almost 6,000 extensions are available.
- Traditional content editing (no drag-and-drop visual editor).
- Optimized for mobile (depending on the template).
- Blog module.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- Open-source, free software.
- Templates and readymade designs.
- Source code is accessible.
Cons:
- There are no free custom domains or subdomains available.
- Lack of customer service.
- To work a PHP-enabled server is required.
- Fewer extensions and templates than WordPress.
Weebly
Weebly might be what you’re searching for if you want something easy and reasonably priced.
To make website creation available to everyone—not just programmers and web developers—this site builder adopts an all-inclusive strategy.
Although Weebly is renowned for being user- and SEO-friendly, your website can only have five pages if you’re on the free plan.
Key Features:
- Full hosting solution.
- No software to self-install.
- Drag-and-drop visual builder.
- Extensions are available.
- Optimized for mobile.
- Blog module.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- Website builder and platform in one.
- A free version is offered.
- Templates and Pre-made designs.
- Subdomain is free to use.
- Cheap premium plans start at only $6.00 a month.
- Premium subscriptions include a free custom domain.
- Customer service.
Cons:
- There is no option to retain complete control over your site like you can with WordPress.
- Source code is not accessible.
- You are limited to a maximum of five pages in the free version.
Jekyll
The only elements you need to run your website without database access or any other external software are included in Jekyll, which was created to be a lightweight alternative to existing website construction tools.
You may easily build and launch a website using this open-source platform.
Key Features:
- No programming is involved.
- SEO is built-in.
- GitHub manages redirects.
- Easy setup of custom domains.
Pros:
- There is no server upkeep.
- Very Quick
- Secure.
- No cost hosting.
- No cost SSL certificate.
- Uses GitHub as a CMS
Cons:
- It is unable to produce contact forms.
- No options for dynamic content.
- You cannot schedule posts.
- Does not offer image modification capabilities.
Magento
Compared to Shopify, Magento is an e-commerce platform with greater features.
It’s also not the most user-friendly platform, despite offering a tonne of business capabilities tailored especially for large-scale organizations.
Magento is primarily an e-commerce platform. Your time is probably not worth investing in Magento if you want a website that makes use of many functionalities.
Key Features:
- Option to pay for Magento Commerce for a full hosting platform or download the free, open-source software to install on your web server.
- Drag-and-drop visual builder.
- Extensions are available.
- Optimized for mobile.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- Open-source e-commerce software or an all-in-one e-commerce platform.
- A free version is offered.
- Created for extensive e-commerce.
- Templates and premade designs.
- A free subdomain is offered (mainly for setup and testing purposes).
- Customer service (paid version only).
- With the downloadable version, you have access to the source code.
Cons:
- There isn’t a module for blogs, but you can add one as an extension.
- Not designed with web projects or non-eCommerce website goals in mind.
- The challenging learning curve for novice users.
- A large expenditure for modest e-commerce.
Drupal
Drupal is a CMS platform, just like WordPress and Joomla. Although there are web hosting costs, the software is free.
Although Drupal is one of the most sophisticated and potent CMS solutions available, it requires more expertise to use it to its full potential.
The best users for this website building option are advanced users.
Key Features:
- Content Management System (CMS).
- Over 47,000 modules are available.
- Traditional content editing (no drag-and-drop visual editor).
- Optimized for mobile (depending on the theme you choose).
- Blog module.
- Ecommerce store.
- Social media tools.
Pros:
- Open-source, free software.
- Templates and ready-made designs.
- Source code is accessible.
- Strong data encryption and security.
Cons:
- No free subdomains
- Lack of customer service.
- To work a PHP-enabled server is required
Prestashop
- A freemium open-source e-commerce platform called Prestashop enables you to create shops on your host or in the cloud.
- It features a strong UI that is responsive to mobile users and is available in 65 different languages.
- Prestashop offers a dependable online shopping solution and has a wide range of add-on capabilities.
Key Features:
- Customizable to your needs, including themes and features.
- Includes backend tools like payments, shipping and data.
- Community of translators for multilanguage digital stores.
- Secure payment modules.
- Scalable.
- Includes demographic assistance.
Pros:
- Free version available.
- Open source, so you can customize your site to your needs.
- 5,000+ themes, modules, and services are available with the premium plan.
- Excellent user experience.
Cons:
- Scalability is constrained.
- There is no support staff.
- An understanding of programming is needed for the initial setup.
Which Is the Best for You?
It all depends on your requirements and the goals you have for your website.
Choose from one of the alternatives provided in that section if you want to build a website that is primarily focused on selling goods online.
On the other hand, if blogging is your main passion, you’ll want a platform that specializes in it.
There are a few on the list if you want one that can handle everything.
You should now have a better idea of which platform will suit you best after reading this.