Which platform is best for SEO?

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Which Platform Is Best for SEO?

Shopify vs. Webflow vs. WordPress vs. Wix vs. Squarespace

Not all platforms are created equal. Which should you choose?

By Abbey Alexander

When deciding on a website platform for your business, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) plays a big role in ensuring your site ranks well in search engines, attracts traffic, and ultimately drives conversions.

Here’s how the most popular platforms (Shopify, Webflow, WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace) stack up when it comes to SEO capabilities.

01 WordPress: The SEO Powerhouse

Pros:

Full Control Over SEO: WordPress is open-source, giving you full control over on-page SEO elements. From meta tags to image alt attributes, and custom URLs, WordPress allows you to tweak every detail.
SEO Plugins: Tools like Yoast SEO and Rank Math offer advanced features, including keyword optimization, readability scores, and XML sitemaps, making it simple to optimize your content.
Customizable Code: Since WordPress allows for complete control over code, developers can create highly SEO-friendly, fast-loading websites. Themes and plugins can also be optimized for mobile-friendliness and site speed.
Responsive Design & Mobile Optimization: Mobile-friendly websites are a must for SEO, and WordPress excels with a variety of responsive themes.

Cons:

Requires Knowledge: To fully leverage WordPress’s SEO potential, you need some technical knowledge or the help of a developer.
Plugin Overload: Too many plugins can slow down your site, negatively impacting your SEO performance. Working with a developer or an agency who can help keep your website light and optimized without relying heavily on plugins is recommended.

The Verdict: WordPress is a superior option for businesses prioritizing SEO for its robust customization, powerful plugins, and scalability.

02 Shopify: E-commerce SEO Strengths

Pros:

Built-In SEO Features: Shopify has solid, built-in SEO features like customizable meta titles, descriptions, and URLs. It also automatically generates XML sitemaps and optimizes product pages for search engines.
SSL Encryption & Fast Hosting: Shopify comes with secure, fast hosting, both critical factors for SEO rankings.
Mobile Optimization: Shopify themes are responsive, ensuring your store is mobile-friendly, which is crucial for SEO in the e-commerce space.

Cons:

Limited Customization: Shopify doesn’t offer the same level of SEO control as WordPress or Webflow. For example, you’re limited in how you structure URLs, which can affect your SEO strategy.
App Dependence: Some advanced SEO features, like certain analytics tools or redirects, require third-party apps, which can add costs and complexity.

Verdict: Shopify is excellent for e-commerce SEO but lacks the flexibility of WordPress for more complex SEO needs.

03 Webflow: Designer-Friendly with Good SEO Tools

Pros:

Customizable SEO Features: Webflow offers great flexibility for managing your SEO settings. You can control meta titles, descriptions, alt text, and even URL structures, making it comparable to WordPress in terms of flexibility.
No Code, Yet SEO-Friendly: Webflow provides a visual editor that makes it easier for non-developers to optimize their site for SEO without diving into code.
Fast Loading Speeds: Webflow is known for fast page loads, which improves both user experience and SEO rankings.
Responsive Design: Webflow excels in creating responsive websites, which Google prioritizes for mobile-first indexing.

Cons:

Learning Curve: Webflow can be complex for beginners. This can make it harder if you don’t have design or development experience to implement advanced SEO strategies.
Limited E-commerce SEO: Like Shopify, Webflow’s e-commerce capabilities are less developed, which could impact your SEO if you’re focusing on product pages.

Verdict: Webflow is ideal for those who want design freedom with good SEO capabilities, though it’s not the best option if you don’t have design experience, or you’re purely e-commerce businesses. If you’d like help with your SEO project, we’d love to work with you.

04 Wix: Simple SEO for Small Businesses

Pros:

SEO Wiz Tool: Wix offers an SEO Wiz tool that guides users step-by-step in optimizing their site for search engines.
Customizable Meta Tags & Alt Text: You can edit meta titles, descriptions, and alt text, providing essential SEO features.
Built-In Security: Wix sites are hosted on their own servers with built-in SSL encryption, which boosts SEO.

Cons:

Limited Advanced Features: Wix lacks the advanced SEO features that more complex businesses need, such as complete control over URL structures or a variety of plugins for specialized SEO tasks.
Page Speed Issues: Although Wix has made improvements, its websites historically suffer from slower load times compared to platforms like Webflow or WordPress.

Verdict: Wix is good for small businesses or personal sites that want simple SEO tools but aren’t looking for extensive SEO customization.

05 Squarespace: Stylish but Limited SEO Customization

Pros:

Mobile-Friendly Templates: Squarespace offers responsive templates, which is essential for SEO as Google uses mobile-first indexing.
Basic SEO Features: You can edit meta titles, descriptions, and alt text for images, which covers most of the basic SEO needs.
Fast Hosting: Squarespace offers fast hosting, which helps with page speed and ranking.

Cons:

Limited Flexibility: Squarespace offers fewer customization options for SEO compared to WordPress or Webflow. For example, there’s limited control over how URLs are structured, and it lacks advanced SEO plugins.
No SEO Plugins: Unlike WordPress, Squarespace doesn’t have the same range of third-party plugins that can extend SEO functionality.

Verdict: Squarespace is a good choice for businesses that want to build simple websites using well-designed templates, but it falls short when it comes to more advanced SEO needs.

Final Verdict: Which Platform Is Best for SEO?

Best for SEO: WordPress is the winner due to its powerful plugins, total customization, and scalability. If SEO is a core part of your marketing strategy, this platform offers the most control.
For Design-Focused Brands: Webflow offers a strong balance between design freedom and good SEO tools, though it has a steeper learning curve.
For E-commerce not focused on advanced SEO: Shopify is excellent for e-commerce businesses, providing built-in SEO features tailored for online stores.
For beginners: Wix is OK for small businesses or individuals who want a user-friendly platform with simple SEO tools, while;
Squarespace is more suited for those prioritizing style over SEO complexity.