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If you've been looking for a website, you've probably come across WordPress. You may also have heard of Google Sites. So which one should you use?
Google Sites or WordPress — which is right for me?
The honest answer is: It depends. I've built websites using both, and they solve different problems.
Google Sites
Google Sites is a straightforward website platform from Google. It's relatively simple to use and doesn't require traditional monthly website hosting. For a small business that needs a professional website without lots of technical maintenance, it can be a surprisingly good option.
It can be particularly useful if you need:
A simple business website
A small number of pages
Basic contact information
Service information
Images and galleries
Links to social media
A Google Maps location
A straightforward site that's easy to maintain
It isn't right for everything. But for the right business, it can do the job very well.
WordPress
WordPress is a much more flexible platform. There are thousands of themes, plugins and integrations available, which means you can build websites that do much more. WordPress can make sense if you need things such as:
More complex websites
Online shops
Advanced booking
Membership areas
Bespoke functionality
Extensive content
More control over how the website works
A website that needs to integrate with other systems
That flexibility comes with some extra responsibility. WordPress websites generally need hosting, updates and ongoing maintenance.
So which is better?
Neither. That's the important bit. Google Sites isn't "better" because it's simpler. WordPress isn't "better" because it can do more.
The question is: What does your business actually need? If you're a local tradesperson who needs a handful of pages explaining your services and showing people how to get in touch, you may not need WordPress. If you're running an online shop with hundreds of products, WordPress might be a much better fit.
Think about what happens after launch
This is something people sometimes overlook. Ask yourself: Who is going to look after the website?
With a straightforward Google Sites website, there's relatively little technical maintenance to worry about. With WordPress, you'll have more control, but you'll also have more things to keep up to date.
Neither is necessarily difficult. But it's worth knowing what you're taking on.
What about SEO?
Both platforms can be used to create a website that is useful for search engines. The platform itself isn't going to magically put you at number one on Google. What matters is whether your website:
Clearly explains what you do
Uses useful, relevant content
Has a sensible structure
Works well on mobile
Gives people useful information
Makes your location and service area clear where relevant
There's much more to SEO than choosing WordPress.
What I would recommend
If you're starting from scratch, don't choose your platform first. Start by telling me what you want your website to do. I'll look at what you're trying to achieve, how much control you need and what you're comfortable managing.
Then I'll recommend what I think makes sense. It might be Google Sites. It might be WordPress. It might be something else. And if I think WordPress is unnecessary for what you're trying to achieve, I'll tell you.
The simplest solution is usually worth considering
There's a temptation to buy the most powerful option because it sounds like the safest choice. But more features also mean more complexity. If a simple website does everything you need, that's not a compromise. It's a good solution.
The best platform is the one that does what you need without making your life more complicated than it needs to be.
Need some help getting found?
If you're not sure why your website isn't appearing for the searches you care about, let's take a look.
I can review your website and online presence and give you some straightforward advice about where I'd start.
No hard sell. No confusing SEO package. Just a conversation about what's actually going on.
Google Sites
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