Which Website Platform Is Right for Your Portland Business?
We build on WordPress, Webflow, Squarespace, and custom Laravel/React. Here's an honest comparison to help you choose.
Platform Comparison at a Glance
| Platform | Best For | Monthly Cost | Self-Manageable? | Performance | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | Content-heavy sites, blogs, clients who self-manage | $30-150 | Yes | fair | Great for content sites with non-technical editors |
| Webflow | Design-forward marketing sites | $30-60 | Partial | good | Strong design tool with a learning curve for editors |
| Squarespace | Simple small business sites, portfolios | $16-50 | Yes | good | Best for small sites that need to launch fast |
| Framer | Interactive marketing pages, startups | $15-30 | Partial | excellent | Emerging option for design-led teams |
| Custom (Laravel/React)We use this | Performance-critical, custom functionality | $50-200 | Needs developer | excellent | What we use ourselves — maximum control and speed |
The Platform Doesn't Matter as Much as the Strategy
Here's the uncomfortable truth: the platform choice accounts for maybe 20% of your website's success. The other 80% is strategy, content, design, and ongoing execution.
A beautifully designed WordPress site with a clear message and strong SEO will outperform a custom-built site with no strategy every time. The platform is a tool. What you build with it matters more.
That said, choosing the wrong platform creates friction that compounds over time. An ecommerce store on Squarespace will hit limits. A content-heavy site on a custom framework without a CMS will frustrate editors. Getting this decision right saves time and money.
How We Decide: 5 Questions We Ask Every Client
Before we recommend a platform, we need to understand your situation. These are the questions that shape our recommendation.
How often will non-technical people need to edit the site?
Daily content updates favor WordPress or Squarespace. Monthly updates open more options.
How important is page speed to your business?
If you compete on SEO or run paid traffic, every 100ms matters. Custom or Framer lead here.
Do you need custom functionality beyond a standard site?
Booking systems, calculators, client portals — custom integrations favor a framework approach.
What is your budget for ongoing maintenance?
WordPress requires regular plugin updates. Hosted platforms handle this. Custom needs a developer.
How long do you plan to keep this version of the site?
If you redesign every 2 years, a template platform works. If this is a 5+ year investment, custom pays off.
Not sure what's right for you?
Our Project Estimator asks 5 questions and gives you an instant price range, timeline, and scope summary.
Get My EstimateFrequently Asked Questions
Is WordPress still worth using in 2025?+
Yes, for the right projects. WordPress powers over 40% of the web because it handles content management well, has a massive plugin ecosystem, and most editors already know how to use it. But if performance, security, or custom functionality are priorities, modern alternatives may be better.
What is the best website platform for a Portland small business?+
It depends on your needs, not the platform's marketing. A Portland restaurant with a simple menu and hours page does well on Squarespace. A Portland law firm that publishes weekly content fits WordPress. A Portland tech startup competing on site quality may need custom development. We build on all of them.
Is Webflow better than WordPress?+
Neither is universally better. Webflow offers better out-of-the-box performance and visual design tools. WordPress offers more flexibility through plugins and a larger developer community. Webflow's CMS is more limited for complex content structures. WordPress has a larger learning curve for editors.
How much does a custom website cost compared to WordPress?+
A custom Laravel/React site typically costs 2-3x more upfront than a WordPress build. But ongoing maintenance costs are often lower — no plugin updates, fewer security patches, and less technical debt. Over 3-5 years, the total cost of ownership can be comparable.
Can I switch platforms later?+
Yes, but it requires planning. Content can be migrated between most platforms. SEO equity (rankings, backlinks) transfers if you handle redirects properly. The bigger cost is redesign and rebuild, which is why getting the platform choice right from the start saves money.
Ready to build on the right platform?
We'll recommend the platform that fits your business — not the one that's easiest for us.